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Discussion on Unhandled 16 YO Mare
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Member:
Boomer
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 6:16 pm:
I just want some opinions on leaving a lead rope on an unhandled mare. It makes me a little more than nervous because I'm not with the mare all of the time but my husband says it's the first stage of halter breaking her. We are at odds with this so any outside opinions would be truly helpful..oh and same with her 2 1/2 month foal.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 11:42 pm:
I have seen it done, but not for any length of time while not observed. A short lead 6 inches may be ok?
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Member:
Maggienm
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 12:28 am:
Funny you should ask this question now. This is an old method of halter training. By old I mean at one time accepted and used, today, perhaps not so correct.
I say funny because when the young horse I have was delivered he had a 10 foot rope hanging off his halter. This is the method the previous owner has used for many years.
I have seen colts turned out for weeks with no ill effects and yes they do learn not to pull against the rope but I wouldn't say they learn much else that can be considerd halter training,
I have seen a horse tangle themselves in a loose rope but rarely, if the rope gets around a pastern they can walk out of it because the end is loose. If your corral or pasture is very tidy leaving a long rope can be a temporary solution.
Years ago I had a very hard to catch mare. I made friends with the foals, (unless the mare took off to the other side of the field) the foal would come for treats, the mare always hung back.
I was always advised to wean the colts early to minimize the effect of the hard to catch mare on the colt.
I think there may be some truth to this, even with the extra time I spent being friends with these foals they were never as friendly (until they were weaned and away from Mom) as the other foals from friendly mares.
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