Ep 96: How to Handle a Horse that Pulls Back
Pulling back is a simple topic that is important to discuss for your safety and the safety of others. When dealing with horses, we have a responsibility to reach certain benchmarks with our horses so that they do not pose a threat in public situations. Pulling back is one of those scenarios that can become dangerous if we don’t nip it in the bud and get a handle on it.
The first step to overcoming the habit of pulling back is to understand why horses do it in the first place. Pulling back is a reactive response, just like running away, bucking or rearing. It is a defense mechanism that a horse engages when it feels restricted or claustrophobic.
When a horse pulls back, there is a heightened risk for that animal to injure itself or whoever is around it. For this reason, the importance of having a horse halter broke and lead broke should not be underestimated.
If you are struggling with a horse that tends to pull back frequently, here are a few tips to safely break this reactive habit.
1. Do everything you can to make ‘being tied up’ the release.
Teaching the release is a method we use throughout our training system, and this scenario is no different. Horses seek the release point when we are training because that feels like a comfortable, safe space for them. We have to help the act of being tied up seem like a comfortable, safe space for them as well. When you catch your horse, don’t take it straight to the tie rail to be tied up. Instead, take a few minutes to step your horse around and engage the thinking side of their brain before putting them in a position to be reactive.
2. Pony that horse off of another horse
By nature, horses are herd animals. They feel more comfortable in group scenarios. When working to break a horse’s pulling back habit, leading them around on another horse can be a way to build that animal’s confidence. When ponying a horse around, there are a few safety measures to put in place.
Make sure you feel confident with a rope and dally.
Ensure that you are riding a really good, broke horse. Don’t pony a horse off of a green horse.
Always be in a pen where you can let go of the rope, if needed.
If a horse applies pressure or pulls back while being ponied, resist the urge to pull on them. Instead, just try to maintain contact. When the horse releases, you release.
For more lessons on how to safely work with reactive horses, check out the Foundation & Fundamentals online training program.
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