In-hand leading advice needed

[NFK Dumpling]

We are practising leading in-hand.

We can do around the paddock clockwise with me on the outside and go around corners but if I ask for an "away" bend anywhere else we end up in the same space. Help!

We do turns with me on the inside on either rein quite happily without me having to pull on the leadrope but I'm struggling to get Musky to turn away from me unless there is something to prevent him carrying on forward like the fence.

He will move away if I push him but I can't spend the rest of our lives doing that

[Anna]

Mandy, i'm sure there was a very similar thread recently with some useful replies on it, will have a dig later if thats ok?

[Anna]

www.dalesfans.proboards102.com/index.cgi?board=story&action=display&thread=13669

Here Mandy, its not quite the same but theres a lot of similar that can be applied. I would defiantly be holding a cane in front of his nose so you can guide him around the corner away from you, he'll soon get the idea

[greydales]

I hold a whip or cane up to the side of the face if they turn into me, don't touch them with it just raise it as a barrier and they invariably turn away

[NFK Dumpling]

Thank you both

I had viewed the IDS thread but the headcollar thing had gone over my head (that'll teach me to read the words as well as look at the pictures )

Musky isn't bitted but if you could give me some "operators guide for idiots" type photos of this I would be very grateful - I don't want to strangle him by mistake.

I always carry a short crop but it is quite bendy - I've got to get another show cane; Musky bit the last one in half inside the leather and then James finished it off in a very wet veterans class last summer . I guess a piece of rounded off dowling would do the same job in the meantime.

[Anna]

Does this help? This was on Flora this morning who wasn't being the most cooperative, she'd just had a bath too which is why she's all wet and curly

By putting a second rope on, clip them at each level here



and here



You can then bridge them (literally cross in your palm) so you make a connection between them


This shows what it should look like in your hand



and this is the whole lot together


The beauty of that is theres no way your hand can get caught or stuck between the two ropes, it gives you much more control to steer the front end. In the last picture you can see how you can also use the top of the stick to guide the front round too. It'll come, he'll get it with time and practise.

Is that any clearer? Its not the be-all and end-all just a neat method I was taught to help

edited to say you can't use it in the ring obviously (well you could but not with a white halter) so its more a home-practise thing but don't worry, he'll not take long to get the idea of moving away.

[NFK Dumpling]

Thanks Anna thats great and very clear

We didn't have a problem in the ring because he naturally follows the one in front (I can foresee a bit of a problem if I'm in the lead tho).

Any handy hints for filling in James' teeth marks?

[Anna]

Teeth marks on what? Musky If so, make-up, eyeliner is pretty good as it won't come off easily

[lucydales]

Thanks for the pics Anna, I'd got visions of the outside rope going round over her neck so that has made it much more clear!

We took Tim in the field today for some leading practice (with 2 of us one on either side) and he was much better, no strops just stops!!

Unfortunately he is more proccupied with the spring weather and the arrival of puberty! His poor Mummy is shut in a stable after this morning's display with CC next door to keep her company. Mummy's not fussed, CC's not impressed!

Tim went down to the far field with me to go to the others, but came galloping back pretty quick! His is now holding a vigil outside Amy's stable and being rude to Celt over her door!!

If only he's waited til tomorrow (as our fencing man's coming to mend some holes) he could have stayed with his Mum til then. Sigh! Now he's going to have to be stabled next to her tonight instead!

[Anna]

ahhhh poor Tim but he'll soon get over it and is for the best going into the spring, little boys can be very enthusiastic and keen when hormones hit . He's a grown-up boy now he's cut his mothers apron strings

[NFK Dumpling]

Mar 20, 2009 16:34:28 GMT -1 Anna said:

Teeth marks on what? Musky If so, make-up, eyeliner is pretty good as it won't come off easily

I thought about having the old so&so's teeth removed but after my neighbour said she'd seen Musky draped over James' shoulders I thought some of it might be justifyable.

The two leadropes worked he moves away on an anti-clockwise much easier than on a clockwise circle.

[Debbie]

Oooh, now that's a clever idea. Thanks for posting such clear pics

[NFK Dumpling]

We had a break through this morning; we went to post a letter and the penny seems to have dropped that it isn't the done thing to cross in front of me when a particular blade of grass is crying out to be eaten

We also trotted on command - albeit heading towards the gate to the paddock - without biting me and he came back to walk when asked

This was in complete contrast to Saturday when I felt like giving up before we'd even reached the road

[Debbie]

Bravo!!! It can be so frustrating with the youngsters, but also so rewarding when it clicks

[NFK Dumpling]

Things have improved to the extent that I managed to lead both ponies down the lane to the yard to the farrier without too much trouble

When I tried it last Spring I got in a complete muddle

Musky had his feet extra special trimmed for Sunday and was very good and patient.

James got his knickers in a twist when a lorry drove over next-doors' shingle drive - luckily the farrier saw the funny side of it some beings don't grow up - they just get older ;D