How to Halter Break an Older Horse

Halter breaking an older horse can be difficult, since these animals often put up resistance. You need to be careful that the horse does not fight to get away, because adult horses are powerful animals. Halter breaking takes skill, patience and consideration from the trainer, who must ultimately show the horse that he is in control. Horses that are correctly trained respect both the trainer and the halter and become ̶0;fail safe.̶1; Regardless of how long it takes, a trainer must never become brutal and must not physically punish a horse for not learning quickly enough, or for not accepting the halter immediately.

Things You'll Need

  • Training area
  • Bucket
  • Horse treats
  • Rope
  • Halter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a quiet area with no distractions. A small corral or lunge ring is ideal, because the horse cannot escape from it and the area within it is limited. Do not allow companion animals such as dogs to accompany you and work alone, without the presence of onlookers, particularly children.

    • 2

      Fill a bucket with the horse̵7;s favorite treat and have the animal follow you around the ring. Carry the bucket with you and place your hand on the horse̵7;s forehead or the bridge of its nose. Speak gently and confidently to the horse, but keep some pressure on its face. Praise the horse as it follows you and allows you to keep contact with its face.

    • 3

      Stop and allow the horse to eat from the bucket, but hold and push down on its neck at the same time that the animal lowers its head to feed.

    • 4

      Repeat these exercises, until the horse is completely comfortable with you touching it around the head and neck.

    • 5

      Place a rope around the horse̵7;s neck and repeat the previous exercise, but lead the animal by keeping a firm pressure on the rope.

    • 6

      Carry the halter with you and touch the horse̵7;s face with it when you stop to allow it to eat from the bucket. Offer the halter for the horse to sniff and attempt to place it over the animal̵7;s head. Talk to the horse in a gentle fashion and praise it once the halter is in place.

    • 7

      Allow the horse to feed and then have it follow you back to the stable, but do not put pressure on the halter. Continue to lead the horse with the rope around its neck.

    • 8

      Place the halter on the horse and lead it into the lunge ring during the following session. End your lesson when your horse is relaxed and has accepted the halter completely.