I recently bought a 13 y.o. draft mare to team up with my existing mare to drive them as a team. I've hitched them together about 6-8 times and each time the new horse did better and better. (She originally was part of a 6 horse hitch but has only been a brood mare for several years)

The only problem I was having with the new mare was when I would start them off, she would jump or lunge ahead. I've been holding back on the lines a little more snug so she can't lunge ahead when we start out. Because she can't lunge ahead, she's now starting to rear. Anytime we are stopped and she wants to go, she'll rear. If I'm going down the road and we do any type of change of direction, she'll rear. Once she starts to rear, it makes her nervous and the whole time she's supposed to be walking, she's hopping like a rabbit with her head turned out and constantly brushing up against my other horse. She was doing so well for a couple of weeks and then one day, it's like someone just flipped a switch and now she's a nervous wreck. She stands like a rock when I harness her but once she gets to the wagon, it's a whole new story. Any suggestions?

I've had an experienced person help me get started since hitching a team was new to me and I'm confident that her harness fits fine. Her teeth were floated last fall. She has excellent ground manners and respect otherwise but it's just when she's on the wagon that it's a terror! I know she needs miles to give her more experience and I'm more than willing to put the time into her, it's just that I need to stop the rearing every time beforehand because I don't want her to get into that habit.

I have the new mare on the right because she's a smidgen taller and I've been told to switch them because I should have my "strong" (trained) horse on the right. I'm willing to try anything at this point!

Thanks!!

One of mine throws her head up and to the side like you describ when she gets frustrated and wants to go. I snap a strap into the ring you snap the briching straps under her belly. Run it up between her front legs to her halter. Snug it up and when she throws her head she is pulling against herself. She will soon quit. I seldom need it around the farm but I have it with me if I go someplace. With the strap and a tighten overcheck she soon gets out of the notion.

Good luck!

Put a large tractor tire behind the wagon and drive until the sweat is running free from the tips of her ears. It might take an hour or so. Then let her rest and repeat. Working horses is a lot like washing your hair. Wet, lather, rinse, repeat.

I have one gelding that is broke. But when you first hook him he does 4 to 6 happy buck and fart steps. You would think he had never seen a harness but it is just him. If worked everyday for a couple of weeks he isn't so happy to get out and quits the foolery.

Good luck, KM

I had a similar problem. In my case the horse was acting up because the other horse was hanging back and letting the new horse take the whole load. I solved it by making sure the old horse started and pulled just ahead of the new one. It took awhile. Many miles with a light load.

Try her on the other side. Do you have a stay chain on her? That way when she jumps, she pulls the whole load. Lots of miles on a big load is the main cure.

When you said the mare was in a 6- horse hitch that tells the story for me. She has been pocked either with a nail or a staple to get her to move out. She could of been also snapped with towel. Now when you want to just use her has a work horse she remember all of what she went through as a hitch horse. I have both been in big hitch shows and watched many. It make me so upset at some of the goings on at some of these shows that some of the hitches get away with and are not called on. I have been a judge at several hitch shows. It is all about the money. There are a few of the hitches in the rings are just controlled run aways. She will have to learn that you are not going to obuse her.

Thanks a bunch for all of the suggestions - I appreciate all the feedback!!

Thought the same thing...hitch horse.

Check your collar for nails or screws that might poke her when she hits the load. If that is not the problem, then it is behavioral. If she was mine, I would buck her back to her team mate's trace chain in such a way that she could not get ahead of her/him. Then make sure the team mate steps off smartly when you give her the "giddap".
The buckback strap takes you out of the behavioral equasion. If she rares or surges, she hits the bit every time.
The last part of this solution is for you not to participate in her situation. Do not respond verbally or physically (by pulling on the lines). Your distress at this behavior translates through the sound of your voice and through the feeling in the lines. Let her have her problem all by herself.

Maybe try a different bit just for grins. Also make sure you aren't "mashing on the gas pedal".

When I first assembled my team, one horse only needed a tiny whisper of a verbal cue to start walking while the other was accustomed to a more firm and descisive command.

The more sensitive one would fly into the bit and bang herself in the mouth. Did that about the first 60 starts. The anticipation of the command to walk (and the subsequent pain in the mouth) made her anxious when asked to stand and she would get very nervous and work herself up.

Now she starts gently and smoothly and both horses have the same "setting" for starting out.