questions on haltering

As with all questions these are just my veiws and how I work them so just take it and see if it works for you. Question from Dixie Darlin on yahoo "OKay.. This is good info that I am ready to get started on. It's the direction I have been going w/ him, but is it too early? When is the right time? He's 4 mo old.. and was weaned when w3e picked him up last weekend. He's still trying to figure my other horse out. Second part: Should I always work w/ the baby seperate from Bandit?" Very good questions here. "but is it too early? When is the right time? He's 4 mo old.. and was weaned when we picked him up last weekend." No it is nat too early to start this. He is at a crucial time when he needs to bond with someoneor something, so why not you? I like to start my colts off and go through alot of this ground work and I guit young colts right before saddling and repeat the whole process every day till he's got it then turn him out and let him grow up mentally and physically a lil more, then do a lil more and return him to turnout cause he still has to learn to be a horse as well. And he will figure the other horse out in time. With a young colt this age I keep my work to 15 to 20 minutes. No sense in overdoing it and have him dread your coming. If he just isn't getting something he will eventually because basically this first part we are teaching are the same herd dynamics he was learning with momma. second part: "Should I always work w/ the baby seperate from Bandit?" At this stage in the game I do work them seperate althought if we have any separation anxiety I may tie the partner horse outside the round pen away from the gate. Although this will make keeping the colts attention very hard indeed. And as we progress through the training I take away the other horse. You want the colts mind on you. Also let the colt see you working the other horse. Maybe even ride in the pasture with the colt loose until we get throught the next session which will be teaching the horse to give to the halter. Question from Christine on yahoo "You didn't talk about how to get the horses head down, in order to get your arm over the horses neck to pick up the tie end. To get the head down is what I do is I push down on the head just behind the ears, hold lil pressure till he lowers his head. Even just the little bit of try from the horse release immediately. Practice this several times while petting him, getting him ready to put the halter on. And as for holding the lead, I don't make no loop. Just in case the horse bust out,then it won't take me with it. I usually just have about 3 feet of it in my hand and the other throwed over my shoulder, then hold on the the nose band directing the halter over the horses nose, and at the same time reaching over to get the head tie. Is that right Range Rider?" You are right Christine I did not talk about getting the horses head down yet using pressure and yes that is one of the techniques I use to get the head down. I do alot of petting over the horses neck from the on side as I explained. Most of my horses will drop they're heads when they are comfortable. Maybe it is not as low as I'd like but I can work on this during my next phase as I dont want the horse to be able to completely leave me using that technique. But yes your are right. next part: I'm not saying you are wrong here. I don't put the halter lead over my shoulder as I don't like even the idea of a rope burn on my shoulder or neck. However I did not explain the loops well. If I loop them which is rarely the case,(that was a warning) I place it in the crook of my arm where it will be jerked loose if something goes amiss. I prefer ot give myself some slack tossing the tail over the crook of my left so as if I drop my arm I am loose. I have yet to tie my halter so this is not as big an issue. I can help guide the nose band some with my thumb after I have picked up the tie end from the other side just depends on how you are comfortable. And again you are Correct. As I do this I am also in the position of being able to use the halter to direct the horses nose to the proper hole. I try to build on this until he will do most of the guiding for me basically haltering himself. This takes some time to develop but is really handy down the line when you may have to be in a hurry because of circumstances. Please remember guys I am using the long approach that I use on colts with not much handleing at all. If you have a horse that has been handled more that is fantastic. I still won't take a chance on missing a step ar jumping past a step. I will however combine steps on a gentler horse. John 17:11 " And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast givin me, that they may be one as we are." Until next time. Remember Jesus Is the way home, Range