helping a horse that runs ahead when led

Helping a Horse That Runs Ahead When Being Led

Next question for today comes from Nancy Ottb who asked the following:

This is a common problem and is solved by focusing on less obvious elements of good leading - understanding and motivation of the horse to remain following you...and focus on you. It means that when you train a horse to lead you have to teach them that you are the most important thing to focus on in the environment.

Therefore, you help horses that rush like this by retraining and focusing on these elements. It means that you have to be mega consistent with these horses and always be on point when you lead. You have to be have very high standards and strict boundaries of expectation. You need to do "less sooner"...so don't wait for the horse start rushing, keep the horse in a constant active conversation. Therefore, lead with purpose, change direction, stop and yield their hind quarters, test halt, test back up. Walk over logs, zig zag through trees, the road etc.

If things do get a bit lost, don't stress, just switch to groundwork and lunging and keep the horse moving until the focus returns to you...then continue.

You don't be aggressive, be calm, matter of fact and focused on where you are going and walk with purpose and clear intent (this does not mean you walk fast, just walk with calm confidence).

Following my groundwork program and training process gives you the tools and knowledge necessary to make the decisions and take actions to overcome this