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How to get your Horse from pulling back while Tied
Andy Curry
Some people have horses they don’t dare tie. Why? Because they
break their halters and/or crossties. So what is a person to do
in their horse training practices?
My first suggestion is to get a rope halter. But not just any ol’
rope halter. Get one of those rope halters that are thin because
they cut into the horse’s poll more if they pull back. It sends a
message to the horse that’s it’s not desirable to pull back.
When you get the rope halter on, tie the lead rope to the halter.
Try not to use hardware on the lead rope if possible…instead tie
it to the halter.
Next, try tying the lead rope to a tree limb. Find a limb that’s
about as thick as your forearm. You want the tree limb to bend
some because as the horse pulls back the limb gives but doesn’t
break.
A good type of tree to tie to is a willow tree if you can find
one. Be careful that the limb isn’t cracked. If the horse pulls
back on the limb and it breaks you could really have a wreck.
Leave about two feet of rope between the heel knot and the limb
you tie to.
Now here’s how it works. If the horse pulls back, the limb will
bend. This lessens the resistance and lessens the desire to pull.
Once the horse stops pulling, the limb pulls back – creating
pressure – much like a giant rubber band. It causes him to step
forward. He will soon get sore around his nose and his neck if
keeps pulling.
What you’re after is the horse being uncomfortable when he pulls
back. Not only do we want him to have the inability to break
loose…we want it to be uncomfortable. We’re wanting Mr. Horse to
think to himself that it’s crazy to even try to pull back
If you can’t find a good tree limb to tie to, you can use an
inner tube. Make sure it’s good and strong and that you tie it to
something good and secure
What’s important now is you must tie up your horse several hours
a day – preferably all day – day after day until he is cured of
it. There’s only time to untie your horse. If he struggles and
gets in a bind where he could be in danger of breaking a leg or
neck or choking to death then you untie him.
So once you tie him, you gotta watch him for a while and make
sure he’s not going to get himself hurt.
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of
several best selling horse training and horse care books. For
information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He
is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training
methods which can be seen at
www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm
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