Connie’s first lesson

[Donn Hewes]

First a few disclaimers. This post will describe what I do with a horse when I first bring them home. There are a lot of different methods. While I don’t think this horse has had this exact type of training before, she may have, and if she hasn’t she has been well schooled in basic ground manners and being around people. Look at my web album to see pictures or try a slide show. I don’t think I am the world’s best horse trainer or teamster, but I am a horse farmer and believe that developing my ability to train animals will serve my farm, and my animals, as well as my ability as a teamster.

I will do these exercises for a few days for just 15 or 20 minutes a day. I am doing this for a few reasons. One, the horse is new to me (three days on the farm), and this will serve as a simple test of where the horse is at and what level it is ready for. Even though Connie is well mannered, did someone forget to teach her something basic? It will let me teach her a few simple things that I expect and and how I like to do things. I want to keep this as simple and deliberate as possible. No harness, no driving, etc. I would do the exact same thing if I brought home a horse tomorrow that someone told me was broke. It only takes 15 minutes and I can always drive it the next day. If I only find one little thing that can be improved upon then it was time well spent.

The training of a horse with a rope halter can be quite a bit more complex than what I do. I am rudimentary at best. I Guess you could say I use it in place of a round pen. Regardless of whether you are using a rope halter, a lariat, or your old hat, the object is to use pressure and release training techniques to have the horse do certain things because you asked it to. Move to you, back up, stop, put it’s head down, etc. One of my favorites is yielding it’s head to the left and right with out moving their feet. their first instinct is you are leading them so they will move their feet and try to follow. Sometimes you go around in circles a bit but eventually you explain to the horse that you just want their head and neck, not their whole body to move.

This is also a good time to practice standing still while I walk all around, pick up all her feet, and just messing with the rope. At first they try to follow you, but you easily convince them to stand still as you go from side to side, and around the back.

My wife says this is all very boring as Connie obviously already knows all this, but I think I taught her a few little things. She was surprised when I asked her to go and I wasn’t going to lead her. She has heard the word whoa and has some idea of what it means. She is ready for a harness, and it will either be Friday or the beginning of next week.

[Jean]

My wife says this is all very boring

My favorite training sessions are the boring ones. I don’t need the excitement of my horse flipping out because I missed a step.

Connie looks interested in what you are doing and she also looks like she is being good.

Can’t wait to see her hooked up. Maybe that fat cat would like to go for ride too.

Jean

[Ed Thayer]

Don,

What is the purpose of raising the feet? Tolerance?

How old is Connie?

Ed

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Ed, When I pick up the feet with the rope I am also giving her a verbal command, “pick it up” in my case. Picking up the hoofs with the rope this way is a good way to start with one that doesn’t want their hoofs messed with (that’s not Connie – She didn’t mind a bit). It is safe to stand at their front shoulder and pick up a hind foot. She will learn to pick them up just for the asking by using a lighter and lighter touch. The next thing I did in that session, which my wife didn’t take any pictures of (said the light wasn’t right), was pick up all four feet the old fashion way. Slap each one a few times on the bottom and put it down. Now I could trim this horse with out even tying her up. Donn

[Gabe Ayers]

Don,

That’s a pretty young mare. Nice contrast of color against the snow. The light was nice, good photography by the wife. Hope you luck with her, what will she do for you mostly?

What is her whole name, just for insight into her breeding?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ You mention that “you can easily” teach the horse to yeild just its head w/out moving its feet, or to stand still when you move around it… how? The pack donkeys I’ve had were already trained well when I got them, and with the company’s mules, well, they’re not mine, so I can’t just teach them to do things the way I’d like to, if they were mine; so, with this new donkey that’s on its way,well, I’m a novice & those little knowledge gaps are hard to negotiate. I realize that you’re not trying to teach a class here, but I’m just trying to make that intuitive leap of knowledge, to understand what you ARE referring to. Sorry – but I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t think I will need have that knowledge you’ve got.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jason and Robert, She is Baldur’s Constitution form Baldur Farm in Wisconsin. I can tell you the sire and dam too if you like. She will be spreading, clipping, mowing, raking, tedding, baling, plus firewood and snow plowing. My hay mowing an baling is done with a PTO cart and a four abreast hitch. I do very little plowing and cultivation; but I expect maybe a 1/2 acre this year.

Robert, I am glad you asked about yielding their head. For this horse it may make no difference at all. But you try and do that with a young donkey or mule and usually you will see something completely different. To them yielding to a slight asking pull would be an insult to their intelligence and independence. Eventually they will bend the neck your way, but still twist the head back the other, who wants a partner like that. To get them to stop spinning and start yielding, a little skill, some practice and patience. My hand not on the rope is encouraging her to stay, sometimes on her shoulder or over her back and touching the other side. When they spin try to maintain the light press and turn with them. When they stop try to use light tugs to just ask for the nose. Be patient. When they finally yield I switch hands so I can reward them on the forehead. If you look at the pictures there is no pressure when I touch her head. Try it on a horse that already gets it and work your way up to the tough donks. Why is it important? An animal that won’t yield to this likely won’t yield to a bit either. Soon they will be taking you back to the barn. If I taught this to a mule and it took me a few days to get it right, I would keep doing it with that mule as an exercise. Switch to an open bridle and lines, no harness yet. Do the same exercise on both sides and start to throw in a little driving. Got to go to work, Jobs sure get in the way. Donn

[manesntails]

I’m right with ya on this Donn,

Basic training of any equine is teaching them to give to pressure. Once you have complete compliance with it, you can take their head away whenever you like. Not to metion how supple they become in the neck and eventually the poll. Without these exercises you have a very stiff animal that, like donn said, can and will take you back to the barn when ever he has a mind to and you can’t do a thing to stop him.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thanks, Donn. I had to reread it a couple of times while flipping back & forth between the photos & here, but I think I’ve got the basic understanding, now. Next question: why a rope halter? (As opposed to a nylon web, etc.) Sorry if I’m sounding so dumb… I’m just ignorant about this. (for now)

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Robert, You don’t have to apologize, your questions are good. The rope halter has a series of knots that rest in strategic locations on the head. It is these knots that apply the “pressure”. You could find much more about how these work and different training that people are using them for. You have to remember it is just a tool. No mater what tool you want to use don’t let your focus shift from the animal to the tool. Some might say it is pressure and release for dummies. I am starting to encourage more and more people to think of them selves as trainers, even if only to improve their relationship with the horses or mules that they are already driving.

[Does’ Leap]

For those who are interested, you can find directions on how to tie a rope halter at: http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/tiehalter.shtml

I use 5/16 yacht braid rope – very rugged. They are an excellent tool.

George

[Donn Hewes]

Does anyone know of a book or video that shows the rope halter in use? Donn

[Jean]

A lot of the top trainers use them. You can find information on Monty Robert’s, Clinton Anderson, and Pat Parelli’s websites, to name a few. They all have videos too. Oh, and they have all written a ton of books. Very good marketers work for these men. Just remember to take what you want and leave the rest.

[manesntails]

And don’t forget Rob, Never leave a rope halter on a horse in the pasture. Take it off as they do not break easily and your horse could break his neck if he gets it caught on something and pulls.

Also, don’t leave one unattended in one as the same could happen.

Your flat nylon halters are easy for a horse to lean into and push ahead or against you. The knots in a rope halter feel uncomfortable when pushed against.

[manesntails]

@Donn Hewes 5214 wrote:

Does anyone know of a book or video that shows the rope halter in use? Donn

Any of the Natural Horsemanship Clinician’s videos or Dvd’s like Clinton Anderson’s, Parelli’s, etc.

RFD TV shows with Natural horsemen, the above, Chris Cox and more use them and have Programs using rope halters for training.

[Author]

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