“W HO IS TAKING who to the field today?” “He's a bit keen — is he running late for something?” “You might as well put on your rollerblades and let him drag you along!”
These sorts of jovial quips will be all too familiar to equestrians who are used to their horse steamrollering his way towards the paddock, dragging them behind him. However, although this picture might look amusing, the reality is very different. Trying to lead a strong horse can put both horse and handler at risk of injury — not to mention lead to anxiety at the thought of a battle to and from the field every day.
The good news, explains equine behaviourist Millie Martin, is that it is possible to address such bolshy behaviour without an argument and get the horse on side.
“Horses are powerful animals and they can easily overpower their handlers,” she says. “Dangerous
