Tips for Leading a Pushy or Nippy Horse!

All horses can get pushy or nippy if they are left to believe they are the leader in the relationship. Here I point out examples of the subtle signs that your horse thinks he's in charge which leads to confusion and frustration in the horse and ultimately undesired behavior.
The Scratchy Stick - www.equestriancollections.com...
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[@CourtWilk]

I recently started leasing a 3 y/o percheron gelding. He's BIG. He literally dragged me today (super embarrassing). I'm taking all the tips and tricks from this video for our next round pen session! Thank you

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome! Working in a small area like a round pen is beneficial, but stay away from the "round penning" mentally of chasing them around. Mentally it's not good for the horse, and for a big growing guy like that, it is not good physically. I suggest working calmly with more of a liberty feel. Best of luck!

[@HuntClubBarbie]

Great demo. GORGEOUS horse!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Thank you! I post more on Facebook at Deanna Preis Horsemanship at Shade Tree Stables, and my website www.shadetreestables.com if you're looking for more content!

[@emerwatchorn6971]

This is a very good simple video for leading. Thank you

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome!

[@charmaineact]

Very Good tips to keep them sharp.

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Thank you!

[@boostystarman3906]

Getting ready to do some groundwork with a mare who’s been giving us this kind of trouble, this is awesome!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Great, I'm glad it was helpful! Good luck! And if you need any trouble shooting, I offer video consultation on my FB page, Deanna Preis Horsemanship at Shade Tree Stables 😊

[@dariaharruff7025]

u ur the fucking problem not her

[@fretforyourpilot]

My 2 year old warmblood filly has been developing some of these habits at the barn i moved her to. Definitely gonna give these tips a try!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Awesome! Good luck! If this is not enough, I have more tips on how I'm handling undesired behavior in my stud colt on my website www.shadetreestables.com/classes

[@juliec9307]

Perfect for my problem today, Deanna Thanks- Julie

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're very welcome!

[@anncollette-krantz3516]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome!

[@denisedoodles]

Great info...Thanks!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to give feed back!

[@kreuzbergediting]

I would be really happy if the internet provided a video how to deal with two horses at the same time. If they are chill no problem but I have two mares to bring in now and then. They are not nippy but easily startled and scared. And at least one of them likes getting ahead. Pushing back a horse if you have space and a hand free is no big deal. But I feel constantly overwhelmed with those two. Especially opening the gate and preventing one of them to go through first, before I can collect myself with the lead. There are 2-3 videos on the topic, but they are so bad, there not worth watching snd don't give you anything. But this is helpful anyway. Thanks!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome! I would suggest working with them individually so they know how to walk politely and you can put your full attention on one at a time, then try two at the same time only once they are good individually.

[@espoir6180]

Great tips! Thank you! I'm a new horse owner and I have about a month with her before she goes to the trainer. She an old gal so she knows the ropes and I need to learn to keep my space!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

I'm glad this was helpful. Be sure to be a part of the training so you're learning too. I did just launch an online class on my website if you're interested ♥️ www.shadetreestables.com

[@espoir6180]

@@ShadeTreeStables absolutely! I'll probably be there every day!

[@jacquelineberger5571]

Thanks for this video Diana! How do you hold your personal space boundary when you’re leading a nippy or pushy horse to the mounting block or when they’re tied up for grooming & tacking? Thanks!

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome. Just lead them the same way, that they aren't coming into your space, and that they keep their head coming straight out of their body, and not swinging their head into your space

[@lauraalbertson7821]

That was good . Our little 10 month old Gypsy cross Paint is nippy and does exactly what you said . Crowding my husband over to the left . He has started to rear up when Gary is taking his halter off to,release in the pasture ,. I suggested to stop and lower his head and calm him before taking off the Halter . Any tips ? He was weaned at 4 mos . And we got him at 6 mos. He is newly gelded (2mos). We are new with Handling a Baby Horse Bear always comes to us . He loves grooming. Isn’t spooky . We are not putting him in a herd . But he has a Neighbor Mare next door. They groom each other over the fence . and she has bonded to him beautifully. Thank you for any more helpful tips . We are stuck with how to stop biting and now rearing . Laura 💜 Bear 🐴 💜

[@ShadeTreeStables]

It's always hard to give advice without seeing the behavior, but if you can catch it on video let me know 😊

[@InquiringMindsKnow]

I will try this next. I have one who is loving but not that responsive and will run right over me. Another that is fearful I am going to do something to him he does not like, each time I go to put on a fly mask or touch him in any way. He is threatening and I have had him since he was 1.5 years old and he is 16 now. I approach him in a non-threatening manor, I am loving and positive, and correct him fast if he really threathens to hurt me. He is the bottom of the pecking order in a paddock of 3 geldings. He treats me like I am the 4th horse and he wants to dominate. But it is all fear based. He is extremely cinchy. He threatens to kick or bite. I have worked for so many years with him on trust, but I am convinced allot of this is his personality. Once I am riding him, he is calm and good. Getting him to move his feet in 4 directions does not stop this behivior. Any suggestions??

[@ShadeTreeStables]

It's very hard to say without seeing it, since I can only read your interpretation. I am now offering online coaching. If you are interested. You can message me through my Facebook page @deanna preis horsemanship at shade tree stables or check out the page for more information 😊

[@ln6455]

Do you find the whip in hand makes the difference?

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Yes. Then I can expand my reach, and use it like my "neck" out in front of me .

[@KimbaLorber]

What about an over excited horse? When their head goes up and their adrenaline starts flowing and then they completely tune you out and you could be in danger of getting run over? If you wave whips in front of my horse when she's like that is escalates the situation. How do you calm the horse, not escalate?

[@ShadeTreeStables]

It's hard to describe by typing out, but carry a dressage whip, and create a "box" that this is their spot. If they start to swing to their right, tap along their side like you're creating a wall or boundary on their right side, same for the other side. Do all of this in standstill. Once these boundaries are understood, you can go forward. They are allowed to get excited or spook, this is their nature, but they can't spoon on top of you! This is just a brief answer based on something I'm not actually seeing, but I do offer video consult if you'd like a more tailored answer.

[@ajwhoopy]

Can I see a video of this explanation?

[@basssix1]

If that horse was brown I would swear you stole him from my barn ! This was very helpful, thank you !

[@ShadeTreeStables]

You're welcome! I have one in brown too 🤣

[@vasiapupkin6030]

Жалко что нет русского перевода (Ольга)

[@gemmadavies4997]

It all starts here! People with years of experience could do with learning how to lead a horse! Question yourself if the horse isn't behaving how you want him to.

[@ln6455]

If I move my horses head to his space we tend to go back and forth and it becomes a game

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Try moving it back into his space, and then quickly redirect his thoughts by changing direction or pace.

[@jessicajonsson4012]

Funny you should mention dance.. I always think Dirty Dancing. "This is my dance space. You don't belong in mine and I don't belong in yours. You got to hold the frame".

[@ShadeTreeStables]

Oh I like that!

[@gerrycoleman7290]

If the horse is pushy and/or nippy, the horse is not viewing the person as the fair and trusted leader. That must be established first.

[@williecosgrove]

Mistfourtine of a woman dosent have a clue

[@dariaharruff7025]

I agree 💯

[@dariaharruff7025]

I don't want to do that for a living I'm not a horse training slave