Article 2 from Harnett Farmer - Jan. 16, 2005

Have you ever tried to groom, saddle your horse, only to realize that you must tie him/her?  When your horse is tied to a trailer, does he/she dig a "hole to China"?  When you walk beside your horse, does the horse push in front of you or push you over or you have to constantly ask him/her to come on?  These are all signs of disrespect and I hope I can help you change these manners.

• If you don't have at least a 14' lead line, please get a marine rope or some kind of soft rope that is comfortable in your hand of that length.  Tie it or clasp it to your halter. I do hope you have a rope halter just because they are not so heavy on the horse's head and the horse won't lean on a rope halter.  Please do these exercises in a safe, contained area so that if the horse wants to move away, you can safely pull him/her back into you.  Before you begin, stand next to your horse and close your eyes, breathe deep soft breaths and RELAX!

• Stand facing the horse close to his head and drape the lead line on your arm (facing the horse the line should be on the arm closest to his head) so that you won't get tangled up in the line.  Rub your horse beginning with the head, rubbing every part, eyes, ears, etc.  If your horse tries to pull away while you are rubbing, please don't yank the horse with the lead line (always have slack in the line) just continue rubbing until your horse relaxes and then go to the next part of your horse's body.  So, we are traveling mouth (gently blow into the nostril), head to neck, leg to knee to hoof to elbow to chest to shoulder to belly to back to private parts (remember to continue rubbing if your horse is uncomfortable with your touch) to flank to hock to hoof to thigh to croup to buttock and on to the other side and back to the head. Please try to do this every day for 7 days.  When you begin the second week, place the lead line on the ground in front of your horse.  Of course, the line is connected to your horse's halter.  If the horse wants to move, just gently ask your horse to move back into place; drop the line and rub your horse.  Hopefully, by the third week, the horse will quietly stay while you are rubbing and you both will learn to trust not being tied.  Please do this for 4 weeks.  You will both be so much happier and at ease, even if your horse is calm, it will help so much with each additional exercise.  These are like building blocks and should be done one at a time.

• MOVING must include backing.  There are so many ways to back your horse:
  (1) look at the hooves and jiggle the lead line,
  (2) place your palm on your horse's bridge of nose and back with little pressure,
  (3) move the lead line in front of the horse's front hooves and back beside your horse. 
  I can't list all of the ways, just be sure that you and the horse are safe, that you are not putting lots of pressure on any part of his body in order to make him/her back.  Please don't start backing your horse and demand that the horse backs for 10 minutes.  That is too much pressure.  I suggest after completing the rubbing, you work on the backing for about 5 minutes daily. If you can do this every day, you will be amazed at how responsive your horse becomes that first week and then you can ask your horse to back for longer periods because your partner will understand what you want and be willing to give.

• Sometime during the day, walk with your horse's wearing the rope halter and 14' lead line. Always keep slack in the lead line, not pulling on the halter.  Walk standing beside your horse at the shoulder and each time your horse moves ahead of you or tries to get behind you, please back the horse at least 10 steps.  Then position yourself at the horse's shoulder and walk again. 

• So for 4 weeks, your commitment is to massage your horse daily, leading to dropping the lead line in front of him/her rather than holding it.  Of course, always have slack in the line NEVER PULL on your horse. Secondly, work on backing your horse and getting to the point that you look at your horse's hooves and he will back.  Trust me, if you are gentle with your asking, he will respond eventually.  PATIENCE is the test of true horse savvy.

• The third exercise for this month is to walk beside your horse, never letting your horse move ahead of you or behind you.  This is mastered by stopping the instant your horse moves ahead of you or behind you and asking him to back up at least 10 steps and your getting beside him and walking on.

• Please be patient and do these things quietly with your horse.  Please don't lose your temper or snatch at the horse.  What a wonderful resolution for 2005 to get your horse going quietly and happily.  It will transfer to your being on your partner's back, under saddle.  I promise.  Take care and Happy New Year.  Aren't you glad you got that heating coil for your water trough before this snow storm/freezing weather came?

Happy trails,
Harnett Farmer