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FW: [RC] hard headed horses - Mike SherrellI agree that the point of the lead rope is primarily to keep the head pointed forward; I think I said that at one point. I rather resent your dismissive tone, however. The reason that halters work and are used to control horses is that they make it possible to force the horse's head around to the side if you are at the right angle. From many angles the horse can overpower you, but from right angles to the side you have the mechanical advantage. You are doubtless aware of this, if perhaps unconsciously, because anyone who has handled horses from the ground has lost control over a horse because it was pulling at a bad angle and imposed control on a resistant horse because they were at a good angle. Horses of course soon learn that when haltered they are pretty much under human control, and then you can lead them about with the lead rope draped over one finger. Your statement, "If you can win a battle of strength with any horse, that horse isn't worth having" is exactly wrong: in order to "have" a horse you will make it realize that ultimately it will lose a battle of strength. If you did not have control of the horse by the physical means of halters and fences it would be running free. I might add that on the face of it the use of the butt rope is to overpower the horse's efforts to pull back. I qualify my statement with the word "primarily" because there is one time when putting pressure on the horse's head during loading is useful and necessary, and that is if it rears; if possible, use the halter and lead rope to keep it from going too high up. Regarding "yank up the slack", that never happens because there should never be any, until the horse is in. There need be no pressure when the horse is moving or just thereafter, but there should be contact, not slack. If you allow more than an inch or two of slack, if the horse shoots backwards even a snubbed rope won't hold him. If you make this mistake, this is when gloves will save you from rope burn. I'm sorry to be so persnickety. The way you describe loading here is the same as I do it, and there have been plenty of critics. Regards, Mike Sherrell Grizzly Analytical (USA) www.grizzlyanalytical.com 707 887 2919; fax = 707 887 9834 -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rides2far@xxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 4:46 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] hard headed horses Mike Sherrell wrote: "When she moves an inch, immediately take up the > slack. Keep as much tension on the ropes as possible (i.e., wrap them > around your forearm and lean hard) " Geez, I can't imagine why anybody, male or female would try to overpower a horse. If you can win a battle of strength with any horse, that horse isn't worth having. You have no idea how hard it is for me to get this retarded "yank up the slack" idea out of my helper's heads when I am loading a horse. I happen to love rump ropes, but the HARDEST thing about it is finding someone who will listen when you tell them NEVER put pressure on the horse's head, I only want them to keep the nose pointed forward. If the horse backs up DO NOT put pressure on his head. I apply pressure with the rump rope and the second the horse gives *at all* he gets some relief IMMEDIATELY. I let him stand there a few minutes to enjoy his reward for moving forward, then I tighten up the rump rope just enough to be uncomfortable, then wait. They're usually a little quicker to move forward the second time but if some numbscull who is helping you yanks up the slack immediately all is lost. The horse says to himself, "Well, going forward didn't work, I"ll try something else"! Angie ____________________________________________________________ Great pay, great benefits, rewarding. Click for information on a healthcare career. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3oH0aWOQajzV1gM9WuqUfQmlmo wmGcCK01bB3Wl1S6IGLnri/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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