Had to share -- Tried something new today

[Fork]

I had a weird revelation as soon as I got to the paddock and Mitch ran away again. I need to go back to where he's comfortable and work from there. I also realized that he responds so much better when I have my clicker.

In 15 minutes, I went from having a terrified horse to a horse who stood still to be touched. :) That's when I worked on putting on the coupler.

This is what it looks like unhinged:

http://www.petworldshop.com/pictures/coupler-two-small-dogs.jpg

Every time I figure out how to catch him, he pulls back when I get the halter over his head. I can't leave a halter on. I went to the pet store last night after taking some of WB's advice a long time ago. There wasn't a leather halter that was narrow and long, so I went for a coupler. I had this in mind: If Tiara could break cross-tie clips much thicker than that when she pulled back, this has to be breakable.

Note: I made it a lot looser after I took these pictures. I could put my fist between his neck and the line. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/trappedmemory/pony/IMG00036-20101019-1529.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/trappedmemory/pony/IMG00033-20101019-1528.jpg

It was hard to get a good picture because he kept turning to face me. :p What do you guys think? I don't plan to tie with it, but it gives me something to hang onto while I get the halter on.

[WashingtonBay]

AH! You tried it! :) So you can walk up and get ahold of that without him bolting off? :)

[Fork]

AH! :) So you can walk up and get ahold of that without him bolting off? :)I can! :) I got in my car and watched him for a few minutes after I put it on. It was too tight and I'd already run out of grain. I called his name a few times and he came trotting back to me. Then he stood there without moving while I adjusted it for a minute or two. At least it affirms that he's not afraid of me. Emotion is everything. If I enter the field with the attitude like I'm only going to pet him, he becomes so much more willing.

I'm still worried about it not breaking if he gets it caught. The clips are meant for small dogs and cats.

[FredRock]

You could tie twine on it. We do that with cross ties at least, the twine snaps waaayy before the clips do. Or even a breakaway halter insert, if you have a local tack store. There's some that are just like an inch or so of thin leather with a screw.

[WashingtonBay]

I do think it would break if he got it caught... but how about this? Either look around your house, or go to the dollar store or something, and look for plastic clips, plastic links, or even a loop of twine you can put between the clips as a breakaway.

[WashingtonBay]

Ah - gross posted with fred about the loop of twine. :)

[Fork]

I do think it would break if he got it caught... but how about this? Either look around your house, or go to the dollar store or something, and look for plastic clips, plastic links, or even a loop of twine you can put between the clips as a breakaway.You know, I actually went to the dollar store and bought 3 cat collars with super breakaway clips I can shorten them and thread them through the clips. Twine would be a good idea too. :) Would hay bailing plastic twine be useful or no? I can't get my hands on true bailing twine right now.

I have full cheek bit keepers at home. Those would be perfect!!

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah - those bit keepers would be great. Baling twine would work, but wouldn't be as tidy. :)

[TheBadLands]

What a cool idea!

[Fork]

Yeah - those bit keepers would be great. Baling twine would work, but wouldn't be as tidy. :)I'll see if I can find some at the barn tomorrow. I'm now convinced that the snaps will break if he pulls, but I want to have a better/cleaner breaking mechanism. I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep this on him for a little while.

What a cool idea!Thanks! :)

[Remali]

Great idea! I've seen photos of horses wearing something similar. :)

[AppyLover]

Sweet idea! Good job fork, you and Mitch are coming along together GREAT.

[Fork]

Great idea! I've seen photos of horses wearing something similar. :)Cool! What were they using?

Sweet idea! Good job fork, you and Mitch are coming along together GREAT.Thanks. :) I'm excited to see what happens next. Just a little worried I'm moving too fast.

[natisha]

Check our brood mare collars.
http://www.synergystables.com/pics/pansy2b.jpg (http://www.synergystables.com/pics/pansy2a.jpg)

[Fork]

Check our brood mare collars.
http://www.synergystables.com/pics/pansy2b.jpg (http://www.synergystables.com/pics/pansy2a.jpg)Very cool. What are they made with?

[3equines]

In the backcountry we call that a tie collar. I made one out of a cribbing strap. Great little tool to have, and less likely to get caught in a hind hoof than a halter (whn they scratch their ears.)

A leather cribbing collar, loosely attached, would be safer, but I honestly do not think you have anything to worry about with Mitch wearing your coupler.

[natisha]

Very cool. What are they made with?It looks like some kind of plastic, possibly vinyl? Some are leather too. I found some on line for about $12. Google broodmare collar.

[Fork]

In the backcountry we call that a tie collar. I made one out of a cribbing strap. Great little tool to have, and less likely to get caught in a hind hoof than a halter (whn they scratch their ears.)

A leather cribbing collar, loosely attached, would be safer, but I honestly do not think you have anything to worry about with Mitch wearing your coupler.I was thinking about using one of those. Unfortunately I don't have any decent tack stores in the area. I went out last night and he was perfectly okay with it on. I have a feeling it might not last very long but we'll try it for now.

I also think that he may have had his feet trimmed, which means my BO was able to catch him. :)

It looks like some kind of plastic, possibly vinyl? Some are leather too. I found some on line for about $12. Google broodmare collar.I looked them up online and people seem to swear by them. Neat concept.