Answer

By Your Horse

Natural Horsemanship Expert Charles Wilson replies:

The horse’s mental cooperation is our aim so we can’t use force, and as any horse is stronger than us, we can’t pit our strength against theirs. The right equipment is vital in persuading the horse to yield to us. A natural horsemanship rope halter and a strong12ft line, with a lunge whip, is needed. Horses find the halter comfortable until they push hard into it, then it gives them a clear feel, unlike a headcollar.
To get a nicer attitude towards you, back him up. A backwards step is a sign of submission on his part and the beginnings of good manners. To ask for that backward step, send a snaking movement down the leadrope. Often a bargy horse will just lift their head and plant their feet, so the next phase will be to swing the rope end at his chest. Again he might plant and refuse to move, so then tap the chest with the stick. At the first sign of a step, stop and let him know he has been good. If he still hasn’t moved backwards, do star jumps, increase the pressure of the tapping on the chest – anything until he takes that first step.
Having done this preparatory work, you can use it in leading him back from the field. Before you even leave the field, back him up four or five steps. When he’s standing, calmly walk on. If he goes ahead of you, lift your rein hand up for him to stop. If he bursts past you, pull on the rope and turn his head towards you, and swing the rope end towards his hindquarters. This will yield the quarters and he will end up facing you. Back him up a few steps to where he first ran through you. It may take 20 minutes to bring him in, but you must not quit until he walks in on a loose rope.
To help him get over the fixation to come in, feed him outside, groom him outside, and vary his routine a little.