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Advanced Horse Training
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| Advanced Horse Training |
Sometimes a horse person needs more than just training. There are times in
working with horses where I have needed a horse to do something – or not do
something – and taking the time to train the horse was not an option. At those times, I
have had to resort to mechanical devices to get the horse to move, or stand still.
While I think it is important for a horse person to know how to use different
mechanical devices, I must stress that these devices can be dangerous, and should
be used only by those with experience in handling horses. These things are meant to
help in emergency cases when training is not an option.
working with horses where I have needed a horse to do something – or not do
something – and taking the time to train the horse was not an option. At those times, I
have had to resort to mechanical devices to get the horse to move, or stand still.
While I think it is important for a horse person to know how to use different
mechanical devices, I must stress that these devices can be dangerous, and should
be used only by those with experience in handling horses. These things are meant to
help in emergency cases when training is not an option.
The Indian Halter
This style of halter is really not that severe. In fact it is very similar to a standard
rope halter. The only difference is that it applies a greater pressure on the nose and
face when force is applied. However, the pressure releases very quickly when force
is taken away. I use this halter every day as my standard method of haltering horses.
It is easily applied, and comes off easily. It applies just enough pressure to get
mentioned, but not enough to cause concern.
This style of halter is really not that severe. In fact it is very similar to a standard
rope halter. The only difference is that it applies a greater pressure on the nose and
face when force is applied. However, the pressure releases very quickly when force
is taken away. I use this halter every day as my standard method of haltering horses.
It is easily applied, and comes off easily. It applies just enough pressure to get
mentioned, but not enough to cause concern.
1. Using a rope that is about 15 feet
long with a loop tied into one end; place
the looped end of the rope over the horse’s
neck.
long with a loop tied into one end; place
the looped end of the rope over the horse’s
neck.
2. Fold the remaining rope and pass it
through the loop. This should make a larger
loop that can be passed over the nose.
through the loop. This should make a larger
loop that can be passed over the nose.
3. Tack the slack out of the rope, and it
is done. You should have the horse
haltered, and have a nice length of lead line.
is done. You should have the horse
haltered, and have a nice length of lead line.
When removing the halter, just slide the rope off the nose and pull on the lead line
and the rope should simply fall off the horse.
and the rope should simply fall off the horse.
The Cow Halter
This is just a simple cow halter. Again, this is not very severe, but it serves a
purpose. I have found this to be very helpful in loading a horse into a trailer, or getting a
stubborn horse to lead. It applies pressure on the poll of the neck, and - depending on
how it is applied – either the nose, or jaw.
Basically it is a 15 foot rope with two loops tied into it. The loops rest on both sides
of the horse’s nose, while the rest of the rope is run up over the poll and then either
under the jaw, or over the nose based on where you want pressure applied.
This is just a simple cow halter. Again, this is not very severe, but it serves a
purpose. I have found this to be very helpful in loading a horse into a trailer, or getting a
stubborn horse to lead. It applies pressure on the poll of the neck, and - depending on
how it is applied – either the nose, or jaw.
Basically it is a 15 foot rope with two loops tied into it. The loops rest on both sides
of the horse’s nose, while the rest of the rope is run up over the poll and then either
under the jaw, or over the nose based on where you want pressure applied.
The Bonaparte Bridle
I have also heard of this bridle referred to as a Cherokee Bridle. Again, this is a very
severe form of restraint and should be used with great caution. I have found it to work
very well on younger horses that require medical treatment. It applies pressure in
multiple places to take the horse’s mind off of what is going on.
I have also heard of this bridle referred to as a Cherokee Bridle. Again, this is a very
severe form of restraint and should be used with great caution. I have found it to work
very well on younger horses that require medical treatment. It applies pressure in
multiple places to take the horse’s mind off of what is going on.
1. You start with a thinner rope that has a
slip knot tied on one end. Place the loop over
the horse’s jaw so that the rope rest in the bars
of the horse’s mouth. Then take the rest of the
rope and pass it over the poll of the neck and
back through the slip knot.
slip knot tied on one end. Place the loop over
the horse’s jaw so that the rope rest in the bars
of the horse’s mouth. Then take the rest of the
rope and pass it over the poll of the neck and
back through the slip knot.
This halter applies squeezing pressure to the entire face all at once. The horse
becomes very respectful to this halter very quickly. The problem is that it won’t
release the pressure very quickly. If you apply a great deal of pressure, but don’t
adjust it or loosen it periodically, you can cause nerve damage to the horse’s face.
If you fail to pass the rope through the Honda, the rope can tighten so much as to
start to strangle the horse. This is a mechanical device that should only be used
when the horse is in danger of hurting itself or someone else and nothing else has
worked.
I have only had to use this halter on three occasions. Two were with breeding
stallions that were uncontrollable and wanted to bite everyone that came near
them. (This halter won’t let them bite) The other was a mare that was injured and
was not only hard to handle, but wanted to turn and kick at everyone that was
trying to help. All three occasions were emergencies, and all three could not wait
for a more “gentle” technique.
I do not advocate being abusive to horses. And I realize that there are those
that would see these devices as abuse. In the wrong hands I would agree.
However, there are times that, for the good of the horse, an equestrian needs to be
capable of restraining a hurt or dangerous animal. I took the time to share some of
these methods not to give you tools to hurt your horse, but rather to be able to help
your horse if the situation calls for it.
becomes very respectful to this halter very quickly. The problem is that it won’t
release the pressure very quickly. If you apply a great deal of pressure, but don’t
adjust it or loosen it periodically, you can cause nerve damage to the horse’s face.
If you fail to pass the rope through the Honda, the rope can tighten so much as to
start to strangle the horse. This is a mechanical device that should only be used
when the horse is in danger of hurting itself or someone else and nothing else has
worked.
I have only had to use this halter on three occasions. Two were with breeding
stallions that were uncontrollable and wanted to bite everyone that came near
them. (This halter won’t let them bite) The other was a mare that was injured and
was not only hard to handle, but wanted to turn and kick at everyone that was
trying to help. All three occasions were emergencies, and all three could not wait
for a more “gentle” technique.
I do not advocate being abusive to horses. And I realize that there are those
that would see these devices as abuse. In the wrong hands I would agree.
However, there are times that, for the good of the horse, an equestrian needs to be
capable of restraining a hurt or dangerous animal. I took the time to share some of
these methods not to give you tools to hurt your horse, but rather to be able to help
your horse if the situation calls for it.
2. Then pass the rope over the upper
gums of the horse’s mouth and then back
over the poll.
gums of the horse’s mouth and then back
over the poll.
3. Bring the rope down, and pass it
under the rope that went over the gums.
under the rope that went over the gums.
4. Pull the rope back and you will very quickly be applying great pressure on
the jaw, the gums, and the poll of the neck.
Pack Hunter’s Halter
This one is mentioned last because I think of it as the most severe halter that can
be applied with just a standard rope. This is great for a horse that is a total terror.
Breeding stallions that want to either bite or run all over you or alpha mares that
want nothing to do with you. This is a very severe bit that can cause permanent
damage if used incorrectly. So use extreme caution with this one.
the jaw, the gums, and the poll of the neck.
Pack Hunter’s Halter
This one is mentioned last because I think of it as the most severe halter that can
be applied with just a standard rope. This is great for a horse that is a total terror.
Breeding stallions that want to either bite or run all over you or alpha mares that
want nothing to do with you. This is a very severe bit that can cause permanent
damage if used incorrectly. So use extreme caution with this one.
The War Bridle
This is a severe method of restraint and should be used with caution. It works
well when you need to take the horse’s mind off of something worse. I would
recommend doing this while a standard halter is on so that you can better control the
horse.
The War Bridle consists of a rope with a slip knot tied into one end. The slip knot
is placed around the horse’s jaw so that the rope rests in the bars of the horse’s
mouth. The rest of the rope goes up over the poll of the neck and then back down
through the slip knot. It applies great pressure on the horse’s jaw, and the poll of the
neck.
This is a severe method of restraint and should be used with caution. It works
well when you need to take the horse’s mind off of something worse. I would
recommend doing this while a standard halter is on so that you can better control the
horse.
The War Bridle consists of a rope with a slip knot tied into one end. The slip knot
is placed around the horse’s jaw so that the rope rests in the bars of the horse’s
mouth. The rest of the rope goes up over the poll of the neck and then back down
through the slip knot. It applies great pressure on the horse’s jaw, and the poll of the
neck.
1. I usually use a saddle rope for this. Place
the loop around the horse’s neck.
the loop around the horse’s neck.
2. Twist the rope to form two form two half
hitches and put them over the horse’s nose.
hitches and put them over the horse’s nose.
3. Take the first half hitch and pass it
under the second one and back over the
head behind the ears.
under the second one and back over the
head behind the ears.
4. Take the remaining length of rope
and pass it through the “Honda” of the
saddle rope. (the Honda is the stationary
loop in the saddle rope) Then take the slack
out of the rope.
and pass it through the “Honda” of the
saddle rope. (the Honda is the stationary
loop in the saddle rope) Then take the slack
out of the rope.
| Restraint Devices by Michael Hockemeyer |