It is possible to halter-break a colt or an older horse.While teaching the horse to trust you, learn how to halter an unruly horse.Establish a routine with your horse so they know what to expect when you fasten the halter.It takes a lot of consistency to work with an unruly horse, so get ready to dedicate several training sessions every week to your new endeavor.
Step 1: When haltering your horse, put it in an enclosed pen.
Depending on your situation, this may not be possible.If it is, you can get your horse haltered faster if you put it in a contained space.If you attempt to harness your horse, don't have other people, horses, or animals in the pen.
Step 2: As you walk toward the horse, show it the halter.
The halter should be in your left hand when you enter the pen.Don't shake it back and forth, and never hide it behind your back.Let your horse know that you have something in your hand.The horse can see you well if you approach it from the front side.The horse may not be able to see you if you approach it from behind or directly in front.If the horse bucks or runs away from the harness, that's fine.Let it run around or back up, then approach it slowly or wait for it to come back to you.You may have to repeat this several times until you can stand next to it.
Step 3: Speak to your horse in a kind way.
If you are nervous, try to keep your voice calm.If you are nervous, that could make your horse nervous as well.Call out to your horse.As you make your way to it, use reassuring words.Stand still if the horse bucks or runs away.Begin approaching it again.
Step 4: Slow down and avoid sudden movements.
Don't make any fast movements as you move closer to your horse.Do not run at the horse, wave your arms in the air, or lunge at it.The horse could be frightened by fast movements.If you brought treats with you, you could carry them in your right hand so your horse can see them.A bucket of grain could be used to encourage your horse to come closer to you.
Step 5: Continue until you reach the left-hand side of the horse.
It might take a little while until you can get next to your horse.Make sure the horse can still see the harness and use kind words as you speak to it.If you feel that the horse is too upset, you should leave the pen.Give the horse 5 minutes to calm down and then try again.
Step 6: Pass a rope around the horse's neck.
Take the end of the lead rope and pass it under the horse's neck.Keep the halter in the hand that is under the horse so it doesn't startle it as you grab the rope.The horse is less likely to run away if you have a lead rope around its neck.This will allow you to control the horse's head while you put on the halter.You attach the lead rope to the halter to lead the horse.While positioning the lead rope, be sure to use reassuring words.
Step 7: The noseband should be slid around the horse's muzzle.
The halter is made up of a crownpiece behind the horse's ears, cheekpieces, noseband, and ring, which is where the lead rope is attached.The ring should be on the bottom so that when you put the noseband in, it will be below the horse's mouth.Depending on how scared the horse is, it may pull its head away several times.To keep control of the horse, keep a firm hold on the lead rope around its neck.You will get the noseband in place after a few tries.
Step 8: Wrap the crownpiece around the horse's head and ears.
The crownpiece should be behind the horse's ears once the noseband is in place.There should be enough room for your hand to fit under the strap if you secure the end of it in the buckle.Be gentle with the horse.Many horses have sensitive ears and get upset if they are accidentally smushed down or touched on the inside.Don't put them down or pull them in any way.
Step 9: The rope is around the horse's neck.
Pull the rope around the horse's neck to hang from the ring.Keep in mind that this may be a really uncomfortable moment for your horse, so make sure to tell it what a good job it is doing.Don't pull on the rope.You will eventually be able to lead your horse around the pen and teach it to walk beside you, but for the first few weeks, you just want to get it used to the harness.
Step 10: Take a few minutes by the horse's side to remove the harness.
This is a good time to talk to your horse, pet it, give it a treat, and just hang out.One way to teach your horse to associate the harness with pleasurable things is to groom it while you are in the pen.After 4 to 5 minutes, remove the harness and give your horse another treat.After 2 to 3 weeks, you should be able to lead the horse around.If you want the horse to not be aggressive when you approach it with the halter, you should do it before the next part of its training.
Step 11: When training your horse, keep it in an enclosed pen.
An enclosed pen can be an advantage for you and your horse.The horse won't be able to run very far and it will always see you.You will always be able to see the horse and approach it directly because there is only so much space to move around in.The process is called lunging.Many people use enclosed pens to train their horses.
Step 12: Establish a routine of interacting with your horse.
Part of getting an unruly horse to take a halter is based on its relationship with you.Even if you are just talking to it and touching its shoulders and head, regular grooming and interaction goes a long way in creating a relationship between you and your horse.You should train your horse 3 to 4 times a week.You should be patient with yourself and your horse.It can take a long time to get a horse to work with you.
Step 13: If you train your horse, it will come to you.
When called, an unruly horse can be taught to come.haltering it will be much easier if you can teach your horse to come to you.When your horse comes up to you, keep treats with you to give it positive reinforcement.Treat yourself to treats like carrots, apples, grapes, pumpkins, and strawberries.When you are near the horse, use its name.If you say the horse's name, give it a treat.Touch the horse's shoulder, mane, neck, ears, face, and nose.
Step 14: Reward the horse for approaching you.
If you walk up to the horse, don't give it a treat, save it for when it comes to you.If you are working with a horse that is not used to being touched, give a treat and a positiveAffirmation when they let you touch it.Your horse will associate you and your voice with positive emotions.The horse is still jittery, but you are moving in the right direction.When your horse is ready to put on its halter, it will be approaching you.