Fixing a Herd Bound Horse

A herd bound horse is one that is afraid to leave the other horses. Let that sink in. The problem is not that he doesn't love you anymore. He is not leaving you for a trophy mare. The first thing to do to get past the problem is to understand what it is and not to mope about being rejected by your horse or feeling that something is just not right between the two of you anymore.

The horse is afraid that he will not be able to return to the safety of his herd and he is afraid that you will not be able protect him in a crisis. The problem is two pronged. So is the solution.

Put on comfortable shoes. Set aside at least four hours, though it might take much less time for this step. Get a good rope halter on the horse. Start at the gate with the herd in sight. Lead the horse away about five steps. Turn around and come back to the herd. Next time take six or seven steps and return. Followup with eight or ten steps. Turn around quickly and lead the horse back to the herd firmly. Each time go a little further away. The horse will understand that leaving the herd does not mean leaving the herd forever. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat--be patient--stick with it until the horse gives absolutely no resistance to being lead away from the herd.

You might need to do the exercise again the next day. I have never had to spend more than six hours doing this and generally one hour does the trick.

Now you have half the problem solved. Move on to making the horse have confidence in you. Again, go to the formula 51% control, 49% affection. Control comes from being able to move the horse. Get that horse in a round pen or on a lead and make it go where you say. The horse will not see you as a bully. He will see you as a leader. And intersperse the movement with affection that the horse understands. Firm hugs and rubs around the drive line. Stand beside the horse facing the same direction that he faces lower your head (I hope that by now his head is low) and synchronize your breathing with his.

That's it. It is that simple.

And that difficult.