Franklin Levinson's
Horse Help Center
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Setting boundries with horses/crowding issues
Dear Franklin,
I recently purchased a 6 month old colt, he is an overall good sort and generally tries hard to please. My only issue with him is his tendency to crowd. One minute he is leading as pretty as you please, the next he almost runs me over. My impression is that he got away with this in the past, and now when he wants to be done, he tries it out again. My first impulse was to send him to a trainer, but both my vet and farrier were impressed with his temperament and think I should try it on my own to develop a strong bond with him.
I'm not sure I'm up to it, but am willing to at least try. I own two other horses both with wonderful temperaments and great ground manners, and after having some wild horses when I was younger, I have decided I that good temperament is the key to happy horse ownership. I have never started a horse, but find I am good at reinforcing what they know, keeping them on track. I have plenty of time to spend with him, I just need some direction.
I don't currently have a round pen, but think that I'll put one in, as it looks like he'll be my long term project.
Warm Regards, Claudette
Hi Claudette,
Sounds like you are doing quite well with your horses. Well done. Ths issue you are describing with the one horse is a boundry issue. As it seems the horse is quite nice to begin with, it will be easy for you to appropriately and, I hope easily, begin to set boundries. I have actually already written extensively on that exact topic. So as not to keep repeating myself, please type in 'setting boundries' or 'boundries' into the search feature of my website help center. That should bring up all previous responses to the issue of setting boundries with horses. I know it will be fairly easy for you to do this as you seem sensitive, which is most important so the horse continues to trust and respect you and does not become afraid. Let me know if you cannot find what you are looking for. But I think it is already there. You do not need a round pen to train this way. Eventually, it will prove a valuable tool for you when the time is right for you to get one.
Sincerely, Franklin
Dear Franklin,
Thanks for your reply. I went to the site and much of it are things I've been doing. The colt is extremely laid back, so the wiggling of the rope and pumping a lariat don't get the response that my other horses exhibit. The first day he was here we were so amazed by how laid back he is. My husband stood about 2 feet away from twirling the end of a lead rope very near his face, he didn't even flinch, and never moved away.
He adores attention, my niece and nephew were loving on him and he'll hang with them for as long as they would stay in the pasture. He's extremely affectionate, always the first to meet you, and after greeting you will just stand next to you leaning softly maintaining physical contact. He rarely spooks and if he does it is generally something far off that has caught his eye and he gives a side jump (sometimes into me). No pulling, dancing or snorting. when he startles, he's quick to get over it. As an example, I figured I'd see how he reacted to a tarp, there is one that I use to cover my woodpile, it was half off, he didn't even eye ball when we went past, the next time around I stepped on it. He jumped at the sound, lowered his head a bit and then as I walked further he followed easily, reminding me of a little boy stomping in a puddle as he crossed the tarp. He has very little fear, especially if given a chance to think things over.
His crowding seems to be boredom based, when he wants to be done, he crowds me, putting his head as close to me as possible and pushing and tossing his head. I've started making him back when he does this and it has helped. The other thing he does is walking too closely when leading, he seems always to want to touch me. I'm not sure how to stop this as with my other horses swinging the end of the lead rope is enough to get them moving away, He just doesn't seem to care. He ignores the stimulus completely. I've tried carrying a whip, he shows no reaction to it. Any thoughts would be helpful.
Warm Regards, Claudette
Hi Claudette,
I like to use a rope halter and 12 - 15 foot lead without a metal snap on it, when I train horses. I use the halter and rope as a communication tool and not as a restraining device. I do not want a metal snap or metal on the halter so the horse doesn't get popped with it when I use it as a tool. It looks like this: I put the halter and lead on the horse. I practice asking the horse to back up a few steps by snaking the lead under his chin and moving into his space a bit. I will do this lightly first to see how responsive the horse is to that kind of pressure. Generally the horse's head will come up a bit and they will step back. If I need to I get more vigorous how I snake that lead rope. I practice asking the horse to yield to this kind of pressure until he gets good at it. Now I have a good tool to ask a horse to step away from me a foot or two or three. When I get a 'try' from the horse, I immediately drop the pressure and say HO! (stop and a rest), then give a moment of praise. The rest and praise are reward for compliance. Once good at that I have a tool I can use anytime a horse is crowding me for any reason. When I am leading a horse and they are too close I simply jiggle the lead and they move a bit away. If you are consistent with keeping your boundries, your horse will be as well. Consistency helps build trust and respect. Just like with a child, if the parent is consistent, patient and clear in what they want, the child can better understand and do what the parent requests.
Setting a boundary is very important. You do not need to control the horse, you actually control the space. This is what the herd leaders do, they control the space not the individual members of the herd. She goes where she wants and the others follow respectfully. She says when and how close another horse may approach her. Again, she is controling the space. Get good at this as it is a very valuable lesson for you to understand when working with horses. You direct their movement and energy rather than try to restrain them. They are too big to push around. We must be able to lead horses compassionately and skilfully. Good Luck and keep me posted.
There are new DVD and video offerings in the 'shopping corral' of my website. I think most any of them would be helpful to you.
Sincerely, Franklin