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teaching a horse to drag logs/small trees to the barn

14690 Views 19 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  sandy2u1, 
sandy2u1
I was thinking of teaching Major to drag logs up to the barn. It's winter time and he's getting fat and lazy. Also, he seems more settled the more work he does and anything I can desensitize him to is beneficial. I don't want to do anything to mess him up or cause myself problems....so if you think this is a bad idea PLEASE SAY SO!!!! If it's ok to try it then here are my ideas:
I was thinking of saddling up as if I were going to ride and then walking him away from the barn and the leading him back with someone dragging a log behind us (not attached to him in any way) until he gets used to the sound of it. Then I thought I would tie a rope to the horn and attach a small log to the rope get him to pull that up. You think that would work? Or do you think I need some other kind of equipment? Or should I train him in a different way? Or should I not train him to do that at all (it's not a necessity}? I know it's kind of a strange question, but I'm seriously considering it, but I don't want to do anything that will mess up my horse or cause him to get hurt!!!!! That is the most important thing to me!!!
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sandy2u1
Thank you both very much! Now I'm so glad I asked before I tried it. I'm going to start tomorrow with the rope work. I don't have an experienced horse that can drag a log in front of my horse, but I do have an experienced person :lol: I'm especially grateful for the no tying things on the saddle horn tip! Although, now that it is pointed out I can see how dangerous it is, while I was coming up with my plan on how to teach my horse I just didn't think of it :oops:. I will for sure take your advice and just use one wrap, that way it's just a matter of letting go if Major freaks out or anything. Thanks again!
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sandy2u1
If you do get a finger caught try to find it before the dogs do and they might sew it back on at the hospital.
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I bet ya after reading that I will be very aware of where my fingers are :lol: Maybe I should start out with something lighter to make sure I'm popping the dallies off right. This will be my first experience with dragging anything with my horse.
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sandy2u1
yeah I laughed when I read it! It was funny but I bet there have been many people to really lose a finger trying to learn this. It's definitely something good to point out to beginners such as myself. And if the dog eats my finger, I can't blame kevin :p
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sandy2u1
oh lord, I was thinking rope on left side. With people like me you gotta be specific lol ok....hand right, rope right, thumbs up!
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sandy2u1
I am left handed...I guess that's why I was thinking left side. I do want to do it how its supposed to be done, though. If it doesn't matter, well I am left handed. If it is important, then I can learn with my right...it wouldn't be the first situation us lefties have had to adjust to :lol:
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sandy2u1
lacyloo I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. Just the opposite. I appreciate your help. It was really more of a question than a statement. I want to teach my horse the right way to do things if I can. If it is acceptable to drag stuff on either side of the saddle, then you are right, I'm better off from the left. I was just saying if there is some reason that it is better for the horse to do it on the right then that's what I will do. Sorry if my response didn't come out right. I appreciate any advice and suggestions!
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sandy2u1
I don't think I NEED to use my left hand. My right may be slightly weaker, but not by much. I want to teach my horse as it should be taught. Taking that into consideration, I'm going to teach my horse to do it on both sides. After all, aren't you supposed to train both sides of your horse. Besides, I'm still doing a lot of learning with my horse, I don't know what I will be trying with him or teaching him in the future.
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sandy2u1
lol lacyloo, I thought you were thinking I was being snotty....Just a misunderstanding between us....hugsssss
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sandy2u1
eh that's a good suggestion too. I probably need to get him used to the sound of people dragging logs out of the woods too. My horse is actually kind of spooky. The first year I had him I couldn't really do anything at all with him without risking a blowup. Even taking him out in the yard to graze he would get crazy and bolt on me. I ended up hiring a trainer for a month and she taught me how to gain his confidence and really do something with him. I know it seems strange to get a horse like that to learn to accept those noises and all, but since the trainer taught me, he has walked up to and smelled a lot of those horse eating rocks and tractors :lol:. I think he will be fine....I just have to train him right....and thanks to all of you, I think I can.
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