Cross Ties

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shuz7

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Hi,

I brought a friesian from Holland a few weeks ago. I put her head collar on, then her lead rein and tied her up to tack her up.

She didn't like what we were doing and broke free.

We have been recommended to use Cross Ties.

Does anyone know how to use these?

Also opinions would help.

Suzanne
 
To be honest i think you need to work out why she didnt like being tacked up and only use cross ties if she is being naughty, and as vicjp says - they wont really help untill she understands how to stand quietly to be tacked up - its a training issue

without wishing to sound rude, are you very experianced and how old is the horse?
 
Not rude at all.

I always went to a riding school and tacked up a horse before riding out.

I have had a pony for 2 years which is now 12 and have had no problems.

This is my first big horse. She is 3. Trained for riding and driving.

She broke free again a couple of days ago while I was picking her feet, in fact she snaped the buckle on the head collar.

She then stood still while I finished picking her feet.

I think we need to get used to each other.

Thanks

Suzanne
 
TBH Im rather shocked that she is already used to being ridden as well as driven, as a 3yo... Definately take it very slowly with her.

I think its just a case of getting to know each other - she's in a new home so will take a while to settle down. The horse you see now, probably isn't the true one you'll see once she settles (if you know what I mean!). Obviously you cant let her get into bad habits but I wouldnt worry particularily much if she's broken free a couple of times. If you think its a habit (rather than fear / linked to something you're doing etc.) then Id try a controller headcollar. You get ones which tighten up a bit if she pulls. Was the only thing to work on one of mine who did this - he pulled back and as soon as he felt the pressure, he gave up. Never broken free since.
 
i agree that 3 is far too young to be in constant work ridden. very light work, with lots of holidays, perhaps. this is very important because although she may look big and strong, her bones are still growing and she doesn't actually have any strength for carrying, etc. this is the same reason why children are not allowed to run marathons! you shouldn't really be riding her properly till she's 4, and even then only for short periods and with lots of holidays. at 5, they can take more constant work. i've known lovely horses ridden too early who ended up with permanently dipped backs, because they couldn't cope with the weight of a rider at such a young age.
the way i stopped my big warmblood from pulling back (he used to do it every time, rear and break string/ropes/headcollars) is this: make 3 loops of very different sizes from thin baler twine. tie them all around the same tie-up loop. thread the lead-rope through all three, so that when the horse snaps the first, it is then caught by the second, ditto the third. i've never had one go through the third one yet!
 
I've only ridden her the once and she was fine walking, (no reins) it was only when I started to trot that she through me off and that was due to her locking stiffle which will be sorted out today by the farrier. I will take it really slow with her and she is only a baby.

Thanks

Suzanne
 
I sat on the saddle and my husband held the lead rein with her head collar and no bridle.

Yes I has her vetted, i do know a bit about how to buy and look after horses.

Locking stiffle can get very serious, and dangerous when riding. Horses can suffer with it mildly or very bad. If you treat it when its mild you may not see a sign ever again.

She got it from 12 hours of travelling and standing in the field for 2 weeks while she settled in.
 
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