Leading the young horse

Here Warwick shows how taking the leadership role right away can prevent things such as separation anxiety from becoming part of your horses behavior.
We have hundreds of full length videos filmed with real horses with real problems in real time at www.warwickschiller.com
Listen to The Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller, a conversation about horse training and personal development and the journeys that life takes us on. Listen on:
Our Website: www.warwicksch...
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple...
IHeart Radio: www.iheart.com...
Google Podcasts:
podcasts.googl...

[@magdalenagauderon3754]

i really like the way he uses every opportunity .everything he does has a purpose to it. you dont need to go somewhere special to teach a horse not to walk into you..a lot of people lack the imagination. thanks for showing this video.

[@ChristinaLoveletting]

magdalena gauderon This is so true! I had a trainer tell me he won’t train my horses if I don’t build a huge corral area for her, because only there horses need to be trained. So now I’m training my yearling in front of my house (front yard) and it’s going great. :) haha

[@lolly5433]

3:19 the way she looks at the camera like yess bitches I did it!!! xD

[@plaidkazoo]

I use your "follow the leader" technique at work every day and it's worked wonders on the "rushier" horses I have to lead! Thank you!

[@jksherman5481]

Are you using the technique for older horses too? I have an 8 yr old that was never taught good ground manners, was neglected and mistreated for 4 yrs, he doesn't trust people but after a year is coming around, leading is one of my issues with him.

[@caj5549]

JK Sherman I’ve found treating and teaching an older horse the same way I would a young one (unless of course the was dangerous or had specific problems) ... back to basics and start fresh

[@ctarabians]

I use this video all the time for getting good manners for leading all of my horses for years. Easy to understand, easy to do right. #journeyon20

[@crosscountrygl]

Just bought paint,quarter 10 month old thank you I have been using your advice and amazing changes within the week I've been watching your method. Love how calm and assertive you are at the same time. Never had a foal only ,trained horses these videos are a life savor thank you a million.

[@katebrady2002]

A lot of this stuff i would do naturally from being around horses my whole life, but then we get told off for not leading them "properly" with one hand under their head.

[@esra4404]

Kate Brady Yeah same! But, it was still a good lesson!!

[@dnr2089]

Kate Brady Yes, I’m 63 and we were always told to lead close to the bit...

[@dwarii_]

If only my horse was this sensitive 😂😂 I just recently got a 16 year old tb mix who used to be a lesson horse (unknown to me) he’s very pushy and does not respect my space at all. he couldn’t care less about running into the halter. tried this today with him and saw a little improvement, I’ll continue working with him. he’s also extremely buddy sour and has quite a few bad habits 🙄🙄 yay for me- first horse. whatta ride

[@dorian4373]

She is a very smart filly love her ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@HALedbetter85]

Just wanted to say that I have learned a lot of really helpful things from you. I am re-claiming a horse that I used to own a year ago and yesterday I went out to try and ride him western for the first time. I worked with him in the round pen and treated him as if we had never worked together before. He hooked onto me quickly, and I was able to ride him in a western saddle and just a rope halter (never would have tried that when I owned him before). It was so much fun.

[@kims2735]

Thank you Warwick. I have a just now 5 year old mare. Had her from 8months. She is lovely. Has been with same 2 horses now for 3 years. However we all kust relocated to a small new place..all is well. She is now with 3 new horse's and its a total 6. Ive let her adjust the herd is good. Now back to point. Leading she seems a bit ahead of me and leaning some. So i looked for you're videos for help. So glad I did because oeople want to say shake the rope in their face and back then. I trusted my gut and said i think there's a better way. All my hard work i don't want to undo now. So i will be working on this technique and im sure its going to help me. I very.much value you're teachings. Other's not so much! I love your Podcast as well thank you for you're time you're a wonderful teacher and what you do helps horses and people like me. We are still out there we need you.

[@ssearcy722]

Thank you so much for putting videos like this online. I grew up terrified of my horses, because my mom babied them and frequently ran out of their way to avoid getting run over. I thought all horses were like that until I started working at a 90 horse guest ranch during college...I watched the other girls, and they did these kinds of things naturally. Slowly, I became more and more comfortable handling them and understanding what trust and respect is supposed to look like with them. Had I not had that experience I’d probably be looking for answers everywhere...but more than likely I’d have just given up on horses altogether. I wish my mom would lose some of her pride and watch your videos. She’s training her animals to be dangerous and ends up getting very frustrated and angry with them. Your calm disposition and patience makes you a true horse whisperer. Fewer horses and owners will suffer because of the secrets you’re sharing with us...THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏

[@sineadbeel1917]

I've read a lot of comments saying this doesn't work with large crazy horses or racers ect. My experience has been that this is SO much easier than leading by the buckle even on large crazy horses. this method means you have this one discussion for as long as until the horses get it. under the buckle you're fighting with the horse for the rest of your life. I use to work with race horses too. even with a bullbit they were impossible to handle under the buckle!

[@mandysmith8638]

#journeyon20 I am still trying this method due to recently acquiring a 4yr old mare who has not been broken in and has very little ground manners, She is not very responsive and loses interest very quickly but I am slowly getting there with this training. It is slowly working but I know I also need to work on myself. I am new to working with a horse that has had not much education but am also loving the new journey, I love watching your videos and learning new ways of teaching not only my horse but also myself. Grounding myself has been the hardest lesson that I still struggle with on a daily basis.

[@missash70]

One of my favourite videos of yours, Warwick! I had a bargey 12 year old TB who I couldn't get to lunge, walked into me, pulled the rope out of my hands for grass etc etc. and I tried this and within 10 minutes that was fixed! It was the first time it all clicked. We've now done some hooking on and that and he follows without a lead and is always respectful of my space. I've recently moved him to an agistment facility in a herd and he's still respectful (as I'd expect from him) and the other owners are asking if I can get their horses like that :P

[@robyncarroll9928]

My new 6 year OTTB is the same. Starting this one tomorrow. Much thanks.

[@bjpilgrim9523]

That's good to hear! Gives me hope! I have the same probs with a bargey, grass-crazed 9 yr old - he lunges and handles ok in the arena but when out on trail just wants GRASS.

[@gracietaylorranna5797]

Thankyou! My youngster (Quarter horse) was so bad at leading, he would try and nibble you and push you out the way. Once I did this with him he was fine! He is a perfect little gent. lol 'Goes and chases the butterflies' XD

[@WarwickSchiller]

"windingvines", this sort of thing works on any age horse. You say your horse is always happy to see you, but then when you reach out he gets scared and runs off. I hate to tell you, but he's not happy to see you. I would teach him to hook onto you like in the "Groundwork basics" video.

[@dnr2089]

WarwickSchiller I was leading a friend’s Clydesdale ....well, she was leading me really! But I found myself doing a jig trying to keep my feet away from those massive hooves! And she did barge quite a bit....

[@ninetyninereasons2012]

My mare is pretty pushy and this looks like a good technique to teach her to stay out of my space. However she had a kicking problem for a while and even though she hasn't kicked in a while - is it still a good idea to walk around back like that? Any tips anyone?

[@JohnYelverton]

Awesome stuff, I had the chance to volunteer leading some horses for kids a few weekends ago and I was doing it all wrong. This is perfect - thanks!

[@dottywilson590]

Thank you Thank you Thank you.... I may actually survive my three year old...:)

[@robyncarroll9928]

Great great Video. And so needed. Much thanks.

[@DunitOutWesthome]

love warwicks Methods.

[@PleaseJessiesStar]

I just LOVE your stables !!! So tidy and clean and you've got lots of space !

[@LittlePaso17]

Lol he is not yanking on the lead rope. He is simply walking off in the other direction and the filly isn't following so she gets pressure put on her. He's teaching her that it's easier for her to follow him and pay attention than it is to be rude and invade his space. The people who have death grips on the lead rope cause this issue.

[@GoldenLioness100]

She is throwing her head around really dramatically, at least at first. Like a teenager going 'omg, mum, I don't want to go with you!' Although it doesn't take her long to get it.

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

It's like teaching a dog to heel.

[@junehansen9749]

this works on dogs that pull to ;)

[@sass.and.freckles]

Your videos have truly helped me begin to become a better horsewoman, with a better understanding of our equine friends! This was the video that started me on my journey with my young horse, and I've been watching you ever since! I've seen immense improvement in my horse and myself through the way you teach training principles. The journey is never over ❤️ #journeyon20

[@BumperRitchie]

Brilliant video thank you Warwick! How do you make the horse walk behind you but towards one side so they don’t run you over? I used this technique on my two year old and she got spooked from behind and nearly took me out and I’m a bit nervous of using this technique now as I can’t see her or read her body language when she is behind me. I have her to the right hand side and on a loose rope and slightly behind me. How can I keep her to one side though as now she meanders directly behind me. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem. Thanks

[@shonamathie1607]

So different to the way you work now, interesting xx

[@marh122]

I love that look of the young horse ,,wow, who are you, what is that, .... DAMN .... ow wow who are you, what is that ... DAMN .." and all over again :D

[@thelifeandtimesoflesleyrob2407]

Thank you for all these videos you make. You share so much knowledge and experience with us.. I appreciate you

[@sugar-maple]

What you said about leading a horse by the chin is exactly how my wife's pony acts when I've handled him that way (which I'll stop doing now!).

[@bjpilgrim9523]

This is great validation for me because I started out giving my horse more lead as I walked with him. Seemed fine. Then someone "more knowledgeable" told me I needed to get a tighter hold of the lead up close to his chin. I've hated that and I have noticed it caused problems. It's interesting because when I hold the lead tighter he DOES try and pull out in front and away from me, whereas when I hold it looser (as I had from the beginning) he walks WITH me much easier.

[@joseduarte7281]

From a safety perspective having a young horse leading behind could be risky, because the young horse is spooked could run over the top

[@WarwickSchiller]

Only if they forget where you are.

[@joseduarte7281]

@@WarwickSchiller yes agree thank you

[@LifeinColorPortraits]

Thank you for the explanation of why horses should lead behind you, and why you shouldn't hold on to the clip when you lead. I was asking for advice for speeding up a young horse on the lead, and all I got were people saying "you're leading him wrong, you need to be behind his head, not in front of it." I'm a believer in never letting the horse's head move past my shoulder unless asked to, but I'm surprised by how many people think that's a terrible thing.

[@claireeric8964]

This is good if you haven't got a left brained extrovert...my boy was okay leading, then I moved him and he's started to rear and bite ..coming into my space and is getting dangerous...can you help with this please.

[@brucedabetta]

My horse does the same thing, it's so frustrating.

[@autumn8551]

My horse tends to rush ahead of me while leading (which is probably my fault for leading her so close to me), and I tried this technique (this video helped me realize I was doing something wrong)...the problem is that she is attentive to when we turn, so she just speeds up again after we start walking in a straight line. I was wondering if there was any tips to help with that? :)

[@WarwickSchiller]

Just turn again, and again if you have to.

[@dnr2089]

NativeAppy I was always taught to circle a horse who won’t stop when being ridden, and refuses to respond to a gentle squeeze a sponge action on the reins.

[@Raty-ok7ku]

With this technique you could lead them with no rope or anything at all. Very cool.

[@douglasshive9872]

Warwick would you recommend this technique today?

[@americanwoman8947]

This guy knows horse. You can tell anytime you see a person leading a horse by their chin does not understand a horse and should not have a horse nor work with a horse. You are always teaching a horse and everything you do either makes them better or worse. It is always the human who is failing the horse when humans blame the horse.

[@SiskaLeen]

@windingvines1 I'm no Warwick of course, but if you walk up to a horse square - face to face, that's pretty threatening body language to him. You're indicating yourself that if you 'invite' him to you, he's pretty happy coming up to you and being catched.

[@catdog7497]

haha this man is to the point and excellent

[@dencanew]

What should I do if the horse bites at guiding the horse ?

[@lisafoster4468]

They'll also start flinging their head to get away from the restriction.

[@lisafoster4468]

You can use a similar approach with teaching dogs to walk on-leash.

[@alexlancaster3492]

I have a mouthy pushy 2 year old that bites while being lead. Any suggestions?

[@softballbabiii14]

Warwick, My 4-year-old Arabian mare is very spooky and clingy (she has separation anxiety as well) and I am now looking forward to trying these new tactics with her. However, will these methods work with a mare as sensitive as her? I am afraid that she will refuse to listen to me and will not respond as well as the filly in this video. Are there any other tips before I try it with her that you could give me? Thank you, Sarah

[@peterlovett5841]

Sarah Christine, I am not Warwick Schiller or even have a tenth of his skills but I used to breed Arabian horses and used to use similar techniques with them and I can assure you your mare will respond positively. The Arab as a breed are very quick to learn. You just have to be positive about how you do it. This does not mean be rough with her, that is not the answer but be firm and she will respond and be a much better horse for it.

[@heatherballiet995]

What if they spook and run you over

[@leealexander3507]

I don't get why people want to lead horses by the beard. It surely must annoy the horse.

[@mudita1366]

This is so interesting because this also works really well with dogs. Dogs usually have the opposite problem, they pull instead of coming close to you like horses. But this method really teaches them to pay attention to you whenever you're walking with them.

[@eques101]

I have that issue with foals at weaning. what you do is if their standing still you go to either the left or right (doesn't matter which one) and pull from that side, that knocks off their balance to the point where they have one of 2 choices, they can move over and move towards you, or they can fall on their side. yes it can take quite a few sessions of this but i've never seen it fail me.

[@gapcreekonline948]

Geese have been using this theory training dogs but the penny just dropped with horses , thank you

[@Suntyde21]

A horse that leads easy but when I want to stop she won't. She keeps walking and I have no choice but to turn her in a circle. I tried putting my weight (my right shoulder) on her chest to help stop her but no good. She drags my planted feet. I'm not thinking of using a lead shank. Thoughts???

[@souldimitriou9480]

Excellent! But then again, you are an Aussie !

[@thelittletomatos]

My 7 year old gelding has a problem with leading, when first met him he would follow me, no lead what so ever and now I have to pull up his head to keep him from eating grass, even in the arena I occasionally will ride him with no tack and now he will go to the edge of the arena and eat the little grass that creeps over into the arena. Please help !

[@candyhorsey]

Great video, but how do I go from this to leading them besides me for halter classes?

[@mayac218]

candyhorsey If working with a freshly halter broke horse, just practice this until the horse is comfortable. Then graduate to what I'm going to tell you. With my yearling, she always followed behind me. So one way I got her to be up beside me was by bumping up on the halter at her poll repeatedly until she took a step forward while I stood still. As soon as she moved forward, I released. After she understood that, I started doing it at the walk. Another exercise involved a longer rope (at least 14 feet long). Give about nine feet of slack and stand beside your horse's shoulder. Start jogging and once you get to the end of the rope/the part you're holding, thrust your body weight into that rope. Do this a couple of times and eventually the horse will figure out "hey I better watch this person and keep up when they run. My head kinda hurts" and this exercise can also be used to teach a horse to trot next to uou

[@MissyLo4Retro]

It is the first video of you I bumped into and it makes so much sense! I know (don't own it) a young horse and he's dominant, but on a very subtile way. He doesn't move for anyone and can push you to directions you're not aware of. Also he stops whenever he likes it, so I think I will try this with him. Only, I need to find that confidence you have...

[@staloldeneibergen]

Is there a way I can subscribe to your website without a creditcard? It would be too bad if I can't become a member due to the fact that I don't own a credit card :(

[@windingvines1]

Would this work with an older horse? My horse is 15 years old and displays the nervous, leaning co dependence problems. He shy's at his own shadow and it also makes it difficult to catch him. He's always happy to see me and will run up to me etc but then when I reach out he gets scared and runs off. If I turn my back to him and let him come up beside me he will let me put his headcollar on but not face to face.

[@XxMagicMezziexX]

what do you do if they refuse to follow?

[@dnr2089]

XxMagicMezziexX They usually do....curiosity gets the better of them! They have to see where you’re going! 😁

[@BytheLB]

Baha, love this guy.

[@ninablackburn227]

Silly question possibly. What happens when you want the horse to stay planted when turning and walking down their side?

[@dnr2089]

What a gorgeous face she has! 😍🇮🇲

[@aileenbrataas3956]

I am really surprised and I adore your technique that you are using! But I have a question, does this work with older horses? I have a earlier mistreated horse that gets shaken up by nothing. Is this a good way to go forward with on those kind of horses? He really needs to get respect, something he doesn't have a lot of. He is 17 years old and is 5 feet and 9 inches, so he is tall. I would love a comment and a tip!

[@greencat1314]

Aileen Brataas This works with any horse. My 28 years old Arab learned this when she was 22, because she was a breeding mare and childrenpony before and never learned proper leading.

[@dkp7895]

Beginner here, I noticed that it was noted that the horse licked its lips at one point. What is the significance of that?

[@crazyplayer1000]

Just a sign the horse is relaxed "munching" over the lesson he learnt. Its a good sign.

[@refinedimages]

What do you do if the horse won't budge forward at all?

[@WarwickSchiller]

Just spiral around like you would teaching a foal to lead.

[@refinedimages]

WarwickSchiller he is in a small feeding stall. I have come in to massage and help with stifle. This horse has visibly been abused and very spooked as you have said. I did apply some of your techniques last night. He did get better. Backing him out of stall is smaller than the trailer.

[@refinedimages]

I bring him out to work on him but he does resist backing up out of stall. Could you show how you would correct this?

[@maddielj]

Thanks for the awesome videos! I have a four year old Kiger Mustang gelding (captive-born) who I will definitely be trying this with. One thing though...I have always been told that horses should be lead next to you, at the shoulder and not lagging behind you. My gelding is actually fairly good at leading but one day, he lagged behind and spooked and knocked me down. It was a pretty nasty spill but now, as I think about it...did he knock me down because of a lack or respect or was that inevitable from his reaction to the spook? Is it better to lead them to the side or behind?

[@GoldenLioness100]

I lead horses in both positions but I have noticed with a particular gelding that has learned to be rude and pushy that as I've corrected his attitude and established myself as his high horse, he's gone from walking beside me from walking behind me by his choice - I had the end of the reins in my hand so he had the slack to go where he wanted - he could barge past, or try to at least! walk next to me in the usual position, or follow behind and he followed behind. Leading horses next to you is the traditional way, and is just fine in most cases, but watch horses in the field - they won't walk next to each other very often. One will be ahead as they move around, and that's generally the higher horse.

[@eques101]

really? weird, it's always worked with any age horse for me. hmm on well, each horse is different

[@Galemor1]

It's that easy, 5 min on the stable floor...

[@Falconxr8]

Silly question, but I always see you using western style equipment. Ie the saddle and reins. Can you do all the things you do with normal reins and just an English saddle? Can you also use a normal headstall? I would think the normal headstall would hurt a little more doing things like this given that it has the buckles and what not on them. I'm just not sure I guess. Haha.

[@GoldenLioness100]

A rope halter allows between communication than a more head-collar.

[@rainerblessing923]

LazyLozar A rope halter is thinner than a regular halter which makes it more effective, because it's more unpleasant for the horse if it leans into a rope halter.

[@notmanymore1521]

The whole "not holding them by their chin" is a good idea, but I noticed the filly in the video was very calm compared to the future racehorses I was was working with (yearlings). It may work with calmer/desensitized and more trained typa horsesbut not with the more or less untouched ones (and it's tough to train, when you have 70 of them and a million other tasks to do). When you got out of the stall, the filly just calmly passed by you (with a bit of a attentive/intimidated looked on her face but nothing more), one of my nutcases would most likely try to run me over on the way out, then if I do give them a "free rein" or loosen up the lead rope to 'not hold them by the chin' they'd either charge forward leaving me with little control or try to get on top of me. Not to mention how nicely she was just standing in place and waiting for you to talk. Would never happen with mine.

[@WarwickSchiller]

+Not many more Ive handled many horses like the ones you are talking about , it works the same with them. Check out the 17 hand warmbloods in some of my other videos, they are bigger than your TB yearlings.

[@manhmm791]

Is this a video of how to have your horse not walk in front of you

[@El-flaco-d]

Bravo

[@fruityfruitz]

That is such a pretty barn! And horse :)

[@dnr2089]

yes haha Stables. Barns are where you store hay etc.

[@fruityfruitz]

D NR shut the fuck up

[@xxl96]

This really works Thanks

[@tinknal6449]

Here is the training program that caused the other programs to disable their comment sections. @

[@tinknal6449]

Here is the training program that caused the other programs to disable their comment sections. @

[@sarahthomson8183]

What did the licking mean?

[@WarwickSchiller]

Licking and chewing often come from a horse letting go of tension. It happens frequently when they are learning new behaviors as they get anxious and uptight when they are trying to figure out what you are asking them to do, once they find the answer and pressure is released the horse becomes relaxed and will signal this by licking.

[@comesahorseman]

👍👍

[@leanapieters5680]

Hi Warwick, I'm new to watching your videos but i love the way you work and your logic. I have a 3 year old gelding but instead of trying to get him not to walk over me, I'm struggling to get him to walk at all. I'm always having to pull on him or bribe him. Any advice on how i can fix this?

[@terryhappy3337]

she is in pain i think

[@elihop9419]

Terry Galloway This horse? She's fine...she looks happy and healthy.

[@dnr2089]

She is not in pain. How on earth do you come to that conclusion?! She is very happy and relaxed.

[@1991lightning1991]

rofl that's not that easy when you're dealing with adult horses that already weight over 1000 pounds though. I agree it works with foals since I used to be able to do it to my guy when he was little... but now, at two year old, doing that doesn't quite work anymore lol If he refuses to follow now I either back him up until he figures going forward is easier.. or put pressure behind his drive line, usually his hindquarters.

[@brittany7710]

1991lightning1991 a bit of a late reply on an older video, but anyway: actually I did this direction change tactic with my 16hh Saddlebred gelding as well as his similarly-sized and MUCH hotter sister. It actually got the point across pretty quickly. there's a little more weight on the end of the rope, and obviously use good sense and be aware of your horse, but it definitely helped.

[@terryhappy3337]

horse holding her head funny?

[@dnr2089]

Terry HAPPY No! ...?