Snubbing a horse
This is the short go for the folks who have been following along. I'll share about what works for me using a snubbing horse. Using a snubbing horse for ponying, halter breaking, leading, or to get in a first ride on a colt, can be a very handy tool to use. I hope you learn to see it as another avenue of rear end under, front end across.
Pictured beside me is a young lady, Bethany Broxson. We have snubbed a colt or two together in the past. Bethany is a very talented horsemen. However, no matter how talented the rider is, never let your partner just throw a leg over and hope for the best. Get a few things working for you first. When you are snubbing, your at the wheel, the rider is depending upon you.
After I have introduced myself to the horse I'm going to snub, I get it under halter. Then once I feel I'm on top of the pecking order, I begin to work by placing my horse's nose towards the hip of the horse I'm snubbing. Then I work the horse just as we did in all the other phases of rear end under, front end across. I lift slightly on the lead. I ask my horse to move the other horse's hind quarters away and under. I continue to hold pressure on the horses face with the lead until I feel and see it's rear quarters break under, just as we did with the long line and neck rope. Then I release pressure and give the horse a kind gesture as long as it's attitude is deserving of it. (See photo #1.)
After you have rolled the other horse's rear end under, you will be in position to move it's front end across. Front end across is the harder of the two moves. Move your horse directly into the horse being snubbed--face, neck and shoulder area. Raise your hands up and encourage the horse to move off from your pressure. Be careful not to let the horse being snubbed raise it's head back toward you and place it's head behind your butt. You can easily get hit in the face. Also by keeping the horse's face in front of you, it's not as near likely to get in your lap. As quick as you would see the horse's front feet or quarters step away from your snubbing horse or hands, remove the pressure maybe offer a nice gesture and try to lead it off. (See photo #2.)
As you progress, try and lead the ponyed horse off. If it balks, don't drag it, you can get that done with a tractor. Either let your dallies slip slightly for a try or turn you snubbing horse back around and break it's rear quarters under again. Bring the front end back across and lead off. You might also try pushing the horse in front of you and work your way up beside it just as we did with the long line on the ground. However, be very careful of a tired horse being pushed ahead, they tend to kick a bit quicker. Be patient, sometimes this takes a while. (See photo # 3.)
Eventually the horse being snubbed will discover that being by the snubbing horse will become a good place to be. The herd instinct will work for you if you will let it. However, don't confuse following along beside you with leading, it will get you in a wreck. Spend more time letting the horse know it has done the right thing than you spent teaching it.
If I was working a new colt, I would place it under saddle and start all over again even though I had snubbed and lead the horse naked with a halter. I suggest to pop and rattle your saddle leather and waller it around from your snubbing horse. Being above the other horses eye while on the snubbing horse allows you to sack out the top trifocal of the eye as though your were on a portable fence. Spend a bunch of time petting and giving kind gestures above and on the head area. Consider ponying the new colt for a time, get in some miles and wet saddle blankets before adding a rider. Fix it up so riding would be a good thing, rather than work. A light ride after a few miles of ponying might work out just right.
A few words of warning. I have been kicked, bit, and pawed at quicker than lighting could strike by horses I have entered the pen with. You never know how the horse you snub will react to pressure placed on them by another horse. Don't get in the middle of a three way pecking order, you will loose. Be prepared to protect yourself, meaning to get the other horse off or away from you. Some clinicians have left an impression of how cool it is to snub from a stud. Don't be foolish. Ride a gelding. "A halo above your head only needs to drop a few inches to become a noose around your neck." Be certain the horse you ride is a pro, bombproof and knows a set of reliable cues under pressure. You literally will place your life and well being in the hand of the horse you are snubbing from. Wearing a set of can chasing or pick up bumpers never hurt either. And above all things please remember: Don't look at your horn when you dally, and keep your thumb and fingers turned up.
Until next time may the good Lord bless you, your family, and your livestock, and always remember "There is one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge."
God bless, Pat
Pat Hooks is a day working cowboy from Texhoma, Okla. Hooks has taught clinics at national horse expo's and private ranches since 1989, and writes how-to articles for various national magazines, websites and is a published author. For more information on his books, DVD's, and clinics please go to www.hookshorseranch.com or call 580-423-7482.
11/19/07
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Date: 11/19/07
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