Remember when you were a kid and you and your friends played “Tug Of War?”  It was a team effort which included rope burns on your hands, skinned knees if you were dragged, and mud if you were lucky enough to live in the country, and if one team let go of the rope, a ten kid pile-up.  Ahh the good old days.

But now I see too many people playing “Tug Of War” with their dogs and horses.  You may beat the odds with your dogs, but you’re not going to win with your horses.  Let’s look at the simple fact – 1000 to 2000 lbs. vs 100 to 200 lbs. soaking wet.  No contest.

I watch the “Dog Whisperer” in the mornings trying to learn the predator body language and corrections.  I can handle the 2000 lb. Clydesdale no problem, but my 45 lb. ADHD deaf, mostly blind,  45 lb. Catahoula puppy is a challenge.  I am amazed at how many people have dogs, of various sizes, just dragging them down the sidewalks.

Now most horse owners lead their horses better than the dog owners I’ve seen, but Cesar’s instructions ring true to horse owners also.

• Never let the animal get ahead of you
• Never, ever wrap anything around your hands (mine)
• Catch the forward motion quickly and make the correction
• Be calm and assertive (be in charge)
• Be gentle yet firm, expect obedience at all times. (My instructions, be consistent)
• Cesar would say be the pack leader, with horses just be the leader, period, end of discussion.

How many times has your horse just leaned into the halter and took you where he/she wanted to go?  He was ahead of you I’ll bet.  With a dog, they want to smell that tree, or check the local peemail.  With a horse there’s better grass over there, or I just don’t want to be here.

Hello!  Who’s in charge here?  Whoever pays the bills gets to make the decisions, that’s my way of thinking about it.

• First thing is to teach your horse what Whoa means.  Walk, say whoa, and stop sharply (don’t meander to a stop).  Repeat until they get it.  Make sure they are relaxed before moving on.  Sometimes a slice of carrot works well as a reward.  They will not only learn the word whoa (and look for the treat), but they will start to watch your body motion.  When you stop so should they.
• Never let them get in front of you.  If they start moving in front, a little short tap on the halter should break their forward motion.  I also like to carry a small crop or use the end of the lead to just tap them on the chest to remind them, and reinforce my command if necessary.  I’ll either say “easy” or “come back.”  It’s always a good idea to teach them to back up first.  I don’t use constant pressure at any time, just short taps both with the halter and lead, and with any artificial aid I am using.

For anyone who is not familiar with the term Artificial Aid I will explain.  Your hands, legs, weight are your aids, I like to include your voice too.  Any foreign object is an artificial aid.  This would include, whips, spurs, training devices, chains, ropes, Rottweilers, you get the idea.

• If they are prancy or dancy circle them around you to stop them.  Make them stand where you told them to stand, not where they choose.  I will sometimes teach them to square up at this point.  It gives them something else to think about.   Get them to relax, and then move forward again.  They have an agenda which usually doesn’t include what you want.  Who is in charge here?
• Remember, whenever you feel you are losing control of the situation, break forward motion.

Always remember, say what you mean and mean what you say.  Not just sometimes, but all the time.  What you say is non-negotiable.

This “Tug Of War” is not limited to leading only, I’ve seen it many times between the horse and rider using the reins.

The theory is the same.  Don’t get into a “Tug Of War.”  We used to say “Check and Release”  now they say do a “Half Halt.”  Bottom line is you touch the horse’s mouth and quickly release it, several times if you have to.  You’ll usually feel your horse shift his weight to the hind quarters, breaking forward motion.  If you are out of control, circle, no matter what speed you are going.  Of course use your judgement as to how small the circle should be.  You are not going to make the same size circle at a canter/lope as you would at a walk.  Best thing to do is start at a walk and teach the whoa, and back (breaking forward motion).  When they have that down, do it at a trot.

The lighter you are on your horse’s mouth, the lighter he will respond.  This may take time to teach him, but he’ll be grateful you did.

Don’t ever get into a “Tug Of War” with your horse.  My money is always on the horse.