Habit- how to stop him doing this

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Crazy_cat_lady

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H has recently got into an annoying habit of when I tie him on the yard after bringing him in ready to groom him ready to ride, he will grab the lead rope in his teeth right where the quick release knot it, pull upwards hard and break the skin.

If I'm stood there I tell him no but he will then wait til my back is turned and I walk off down the yard then do it! Today I was near him so did slap him on the shoulder when he did it and moved him to next post but he then tried doing it again!

Once he's done it once he doesn't try again and will stand there and be good.

Anything I can do to stop him? Am limited in what I can do as yard isn't mine and don't want to hit his face or anything as he is head shy not that I would anyway.
 
I had a horse that used to pull back for attention; he would look at me then do it and just stand there. I used to just tie him up again without telling him off or giving him any attention, then he would be fine. Even by telling him off you are rewarding it by giving him attention, as soon as you start ignoring him he should realise that he isn't being as entertaining as he thinks!

And maybe get one of those plastic things so he isn't breaking string all the time, then you can re-tie him up more quickly.

Good luck!
 
Mine does this, it drives me insane! He only does it when he's first tied up, he's ok after a minute or so. I've tried a few things to stop him doing it, not tying him up helps but not always practical!
 
Have the grooming stuff by the tie point and a lunge line. Don't tie him up when he comes in, thread the lunge line through the tie ring and clip to headcollar instead of a leadrope. You hold the rest of the lunge line and control how much you let him have if he tries to pull back or escape. You've still got one hand left free for grooming him.
 
I always tie mine up with haynet! But I know he has done this before and its probably become a bit of a game for yours. If you can pen him in I would just ignore him and tie him up again when I got back(ie take lead rope off and clip it on when I was ready. Or tie him to the metal ring. Sounds like he knows he can just toddle off).

I would give a small haynet.
 
Tie to the ring, we have a dawn off tree I tied Ben to a few times, lamp posts work will too :) if they can't get free they soon forget!;)
 
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