The Mike Neal Halter Clinic - Releasing at the Throat

Mike Neal series starts here

This is the step in halter training for Arabian horses that is the most illusive if you ask me. From the time I have started with Arabian horses understanding how trainers can teach a horse how to reach forward in such a way as to totally expose their throat latch has been difficult. Many people who show halter do not accomplish this to the same degree that the big name professionals do.

I've heard horror stories, even posted about one in An Arabian Mare's Tragic Death Due to the Halter Divisions' Dirty Little Secret And while I've been criticized for that post I guess because I "only" believe that this is what killed this mare, I cannot prove it in a court of law, that doesn't change the fact that the method was and is still being used. What is important is the technique described is NOT a good thing for the horse and it sure isn't anything I would want done to any horse of mine.




So this step in Mike Neal's training method for halter horses was particularly important to me. I was curious to see what his "trick" might be. Imagine my surprise to see that his method had nothing to do with stretching up at all. Instead Mike Neal teaches the horses to stretch to the ground, all the way to the ground. What a contrast between his method and hanging a horse off a wall.

The only way the horse can get all the way to the ground is by stretching those muscles in the throat. By using the horse's normal response and applying a cue (the pressure of the chain on the chin) the horse can be taught to give this way upon command. With many repetitions the horse will learn whenever it feels that type of pressure from the chain that it should give its head including that illusive area of the throat latch.

To accomplish this, Mike sits on a bucket in front of the horse. That way he has some support and can flee quickly if the horse should come forward. He says at home he actually even does this in the horse's stall.




Mike teaches the horse to lower its head by putting pressure on the lead and releasing when the horse gives or even thinks about giving to that pressure. In the beginning of this process, Mike gets up and praises the horse for even a little give. He also used his voice a lot to let the horse know the movement down is what he's asking.

Timing is important and sometimes you have to release a little pressure and take it right back to get the horse to think. They can get locked up and confused and just hold against you. By releasing a little bit and then taking it back, it changes the stimulus for the horse and will usually break that lock.

If it doesn't break the lock or the horse fights the pressure, then Mike gets off the bucket and backs the horse off a bit. Then he starts over again. Even moving backwards away from pressure is better than no movement at all.



Mike also uses a little bat (see in the pictures) that he uses to tap the horse on the neck if the horse isn't understanding the cue. The purpose of that tap is to tell the horse, "this is what I want you to move."

In just little increments at a time, the horse will gradually lower its head. Remember the goal is to get the horse's nose all the way to the ground. It is in those final couple of inches that separates the amateurs from the big boys. That final extension of the throat latch cannot be achieved without the horse's nose on the ground.

Mike works on this step, like all the others, for a couple of weeks, maybe three. It all depends on the horse and how quickly they pick it up. However, it isn't in just accomplishing the task but teaching the horse the proper cues. Getting it done one or twice isn't the same as having the horse understand when you ask this, he gives. Repetition is the key.

To be continued..........

The Final Steps



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