Leading weanlings

[Blue feather]

I need a few suggestions on teaching weanlings to lead. I've worked with my two babies some but they need more work. I have difficulty even catching one baby and the other is stubborn and won't walk without stopping and becoming obstinent. Any suggestions will help.

[clh]

I'm no expert this being the first year that I've had babies on my farm but I did have some folks (vet and the farrier - god bless them give me pointers) - it helped that we worked with our foals early on - the colts we had ealier so it was easier to work with them, the filly came to us later from KY and they hadn't handled her as much - when walking them we used a long lead and when they balked we used the end of the lead to "fllip" their butt - that put some giddy up in them - it took us a little bit of practice to hold the lead and flip the other end around us to to tap their butt but it did work like a charm. The other thing the farrier had us do when we first brought them home was to take a soft rope and run it up and down their legs and over their bellies alot to get used to their legs being touched - that helped with mudding, etc.... Our Tapit filly is stubborn as the day is long but flipping her butt usually gets her walking - we just now have to work on her picking up the pace! Good luck. It worked for us but of course it also helped that we were leading them with their moms initially

[madelyn]

I use two very thick, long, soft cotton leadropes with large brass snaps. Snap them both to the halter ring. Run one down the outside of the foal, across the butt under the tail (above the hocks) and up the inside (your side). Use the other (in your left hand) to lead. If the weanling balks, tug on the inside rope to "push" on the hind legs/butt. Works perfect every time. And you have that rope to help control the baby and not let it get far off you. Eventually, they lead fine and you can leave off the butt rope.

[clh]

I forgot that Madeline - we did do the butt rope too for the first few trips They didn't like it but it worked!

[smilton]

I have the joy (I was volunteered) of halter breaking 60+ this winter. Weanlings to 5yr olds. Draft horses to Shetland ponies to mammoth donkeys.
For the big horses (1800 lbs+) I love my round pen.
For the little guys and weanlings I love the butt rope affect. You would be amazed, with their low center of gravity, how stubborn shetland ponies can get. With a butt rope shifting their weight forward they can't use their short stature to their advantage. Also important when using the butt rope, stay beside their shoulder and not in front of them. That way you don't get run over if the rope startles them. (Very important with the bigger ones.)
For the middle guys I use both the round pen and a variation of the butt rope with long lining.

I thought I was getting the little guys to halter break first and when I got home from work these had been delivered.
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/27993998 ... 8395itoKuO
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/20238733 ... 8395ucznvN
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/25105069 ... 8395MWJQcq

[Blue feather]

Thanks for your suggestions, They will be helpful.

[clh]

Good luck smilton - looks like you'll have your hands full!

Best of luck Blue feather - if I can do it anyone can