JadeWisc
Well-Known Member
Sorry, but I would not keep a horse like that. Too dangerous and being tied is such a basic need in horse keeping.
You must have a great deal of patients.
You must have a great deal of patients.
Horse pawing when tied up
- Thread starter sfward
- Start date
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
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Sorry, but I would not keep a horse like that. Too dangerous and being tied is such a basic need in horse keeping.
You must have a great deal of patients .
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ROTFLMBFAO..
i like the play on words
Sorry, but I would not keep a horse like that. Too dangerous and being tied is such a basic need in horse keeping.
You must have a great deal of patients .
[/ QUOTE ]
ROTFLMBFAO..
i like the play on words
JadeWisc
Well-Known Member
LMAO! I had not even noticed that
But I like it and it stays
But I like it and it stays
_Libby_
Well-Known Member
i wont bore you with the details but its all down to an accident / beating she got as a 3 year old when tied up so its not just for no reason, maybe i am too soft but since she's 100% at everything else I just deal with it and work round it.
I really dont have to tie her up anyway she will stand on her own!
I really dont have to tie her up anyway she will stand on her own!
MillionDollar
Well-Known Member
Well I'm afraid I would tie her up until she stood there. But she is your horse, and if you're happy then thats all that matters
JadeWisc
Well-Known Member
You have company
MillionDollar
Well-Known Member
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His remedy, tie the horse up and leave it tied up until it stops pawing. I didn't ask how long he would leave them tied, but I suspect it would be hours if that was how long it took.
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Yes. You see these old traditional guys do have great ideas! The guy who tells me all these little tricks leaves his youngsters tied up for 3 days in a row for 6-8 hours per day, then you never have problems!
The thing is what do most people do when a horse starts pawing? they give them attention, even if it is punishment! Thats what they want. So leaving them there, they learn that they won't get the attention until they behave.
His remedy, tie the horse up and leave it tied up until it stops pawing. I didn't ask how long he would leave them tied, but I suspect it would be hours if that was how long it took.
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Yes. You see these old traditional guys do have great ideas! The guy who tells me all these little tricks leaves his youngsters tied up for 3 days in a row for 6-8 hours per day, then you never have problems!
The thing is what do most people do when a horse starts pawing? they give them attention, even if it is punishment! Thats what they want. So leaving them there, they learn that they won't get the attention until they behave.
Gorgeous George
Well-Known Member
my goodness donadea you could be describing George's situation to a t, we only moved yards last week also from an american barn to a traditional loose box and George had been unsettled since. He started pawing the ground when he came in from the field, but we guessed it was because he was expecting his tea (he now gets fed 2-3hrs later than before and of course the clocks had just changed), so we are giving him a handful of hi-fi when he comes in and that is settling him. When he gets his proper feed later he looks all surprised!!
magic104
Well-Known Member
If it has started because you moved yard it could be that she still does not feel secure. It is not a natural thing for horses to stand about for any length of time & to be tied up puts them in a vunerable position. It is correct to ignore the behaviour & reward her when she stops by moving her, giving her a treat or a scratch on withers.
_Libby_
Well-Known Member
Believe me I have tried as its a pain that she wont stand sometimes, I had got her over it and she tied up no problem but since moving yards the stress seems to have triggered it again. I have tried tying her up again when she bursts free but she will literally pull with all her might until something gives -whilst sitting on her backside! Any other suggestions gratefully accepted! She is a very sensitve little mare and was abused before i got her. Funny thing is once she is free she stands exactly where she was before and looks at you like nothing happened
I totally agree that they paw for attention- and u will see in my reply i think ignoring them is the best option. When my mare starts to pull i have tried everything from soothing her/ ignoring her/ shouting at her- nothing works
I totally agree that they paw for attention- and u will see in my reply i think ignoring them is the best option. When my mare starts to pull i have tried everything from soothing her/ ignoring her/ shouting at her- nothing works
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
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Funny thing is once she is free she stands exactly where she was before and looks at you like nothing happened
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lol, i know it well...
does she pull back instantly as soon as she's tied? or only pull back upon realising she's restricted i.e when she moves her head.. and then panicks?
one method is to do some pressure work with her on a lunge line, putting the pressure on and teaching her to 'give' to it rather than resist.. stand in front of her while doing it, so you're in effect pulling her towards you, when she comes towards the pressure reward her with a gentle rub on the forehead.
then put the lunge line through the tie ring and increase the pressure, start with the line long and stand to the front of her again - if you've done the ground/pressure work right she'll get the hang of it.
horses do have a good memory, however -like dogs and children- they actually do live in the moment and from 'habit', therefore you need to create a new behaviour pattern and it is completely possible for you to 're-programme' them..
i love that saying, how does it go? 'if you do a job like you've only got 5 mins it will take all day, if you do it like you've got all day, it will take 5 mins..'
it's so true, horses pick up on your energy, if you're not in the right frame of mind, if you're saying "c'mon sweetie, it's just a wormer, open your mouth" through gritted teeth - you might as well not bother!!
Funny thing is once she is free she stands exactly where she was before and looks at you like nothing happened
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lol, i know it well...
does she pull back instantly as soon as she's tied? or only pull back upon realising she's restricted i.e when she moves her head.. and then panicks?
one method is to do some pressure work with her on a lunge line, putting the pressure on and teaching her to 'give' to it rather than resist.. stand in front of her while doing it, so you're in effect pulling her towards you, when she comes towards the pressure reward her with a gentle rub on the forehead.
then put the lunge line through the tie ring and increase the pressure, start with the line long and stand to the front of her again - if you've done the ground/pressure work right she'll get the hang of it.
horses do have a good memory, however -like dogs and children- they actually do live in the moment and from 'habit', therefore you need to create a new behaviour pattern and it is completely possible for you to 're-programme' them..
i love that saying, how does it go? 'if you do a job like you've only got 5 mins it will take all day, if you do it like you've got all day, it will take 5 mins..'
it's so true, horses pick up on your energy, if you're not in the right frame of mind, if you're saying "c'mon sweetie, it's just a wormer, open your mouth" through gritted teeth - you might as well not bother!!
_Libby_
Well-Known Member
some days i tie her up and she stands no problem i.e if she is relaxed, has company and there is nothing scary around. Then others she could stand for 1 min or ten mins, often nothing triggers it or something as simple as someone walking near her carrying some shavings will set her off, problem is once she starts pulling she wont stop til free.
If I am holding her she wont pull back at all, she is a very well mannered horse in every other way. Do you think tying with a bungee line might help?
If I am holding her she wont pull back at all, she is a very well mannered horse in every other way. Do you think tying with a bungee line might help?
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
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some days i tie her up and she stands no problem i.e if she is relaxed, has company and there is nothing scary around. Then others she could stand for 1 min or ten mins, often nothing triggers it or something as simple as someone walking near her carrying some shavings will set her off, problem is once she starts pulling she wont stop til free.
If I am holding her she wont pull back at all, she is a very well mannered horse in every other way. Do you think tying with a bungee line might help?
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i wouldn't recommend the bungee idea, it's important that she will 'give to' and 'accept' the pressure rather than trying to soften the situation.. does that make sense?
sounds like maybe the 'main' problem isn't tying up but more her confidence, can i ask, what do you use her for/do with her?
do you have any other problems with her? quite often these things are inter-related and the 'problem' as you see it is actually a symptom of the problem.
some days i tie her up and she stands no problem i.e if she is relaxed, has company and there is nothing scary around. Then others she could stand for 1 min or ten mins, often nothing triggers it or something as simple as someone walking near her carrying some shavings will set her off, problem is once she starts pulling she wont stop til free.
If I am holding her she wont pull back at all, she is a very well mannered horse in every other way. Do you think tying with a bungee line might help?
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i wouldn't recommend the bungee idea, it's important that she will 'give to' and 'accept' the pressure rather than trying to soften the situation.. does that make sense?
sounds like maybe the 'main' problem isn't tying up but more her confidence, can i ask, what do you use her for/do with her?
do you have any other problems with her? quite often these things are inter-related and the 'problem' as you see it is actually a symptom of the problem.
_Libby_
Well-Known Member
I agree its definately a confidence issue she is extremely nervy. I used to jump her and she did well however now I dont have the time and she is a happy hacker with occasional schooling.
She had mostly overcome the problem at old yard (where she'd been ten years) but now that I have moved its raised its head again, probably as shes feeling insecure. Maybe it will just take time. I cant think of any other problems I have with her apart from this, although she has always had issues with her ears, and is very fidgety with her head (teeth been checked) I often wonder if its the pressure round her ears she is reacting to as well.
She had mostly overcome the problem at old yard (where she'd been ten years) but now that I have moved its raised its head again, probably as shes feeling insecure. Maybe it will just take time. I cant think of any other problems I have with her apart from this, although she has always had issues with her ears, and is very fidgety with her head (teeth been checked) I often wonder if its the pressure round her ears she is reacting to as well.
sfward
Well-Known Member
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Has she done it since day 1 of moving yards? has your routine changed at all to fit with the new yard? has her feed changed? is she impatient for something..for instance, do you feed her/turn her out straight after she's been tied up? Has her behaviour at any other times changed or is this the only change? does she aways paw with the same hoof? did she ever paw at all while tied up at your old yard? have she ever changed yards before and did her behaviour change then?
That's probably enough questions for now..
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right ok here goes!
1) Yes she's done it since day 1 of moving, initially put it down to her being a little stressed as in unfamiliar surroundings, but she has been there 5 weeks now and still does it. Never pawed at the old yard, she would stand still and go to sleep while I tacked her up!
2) I bought her in February, she had been in the same place since birth and didn't have this problem when she first came to me, at a different yard.
3) Her routine didn't change initially, although it did after about 2 weeks as I changed from having her in at night to being out 24/7 for a holiday. Now she just comes in to be ridden, then fed.
4) Yes her feed has changed from a cool mix to Alfa-A with a bit of Baileys lo-cal. I wanted something less starchy and more fibre-based without upping calories, as she is quite hot but a good doer.
5) always the same hoof - the left!
Somebody mentioned about her not being able to see, and I wonder if this is what it is; when she is tied up inside she can't see over the door, and usually manages to untie herself so she can look over the door. When tied up outside the rings are round the edge of the horseshoe-shaped stable block, so they are effectively tied facing the wall, whereas in the old place she would be tied up overlooking the indoor school in the barn. There is a tying-up post in the centre of the new yard, i've only ever had her tied up to that once and come to think of it she was a bit better, I guess cos she could see around her better. There is usually someone else's haynet tied to it so I try and not tie her up there, but I think I will try it again in future, see if it helps
Has she done it since day 1 of moving yards? has your routine changed at all to fit with the new yard? has her feed changed? is she impatient for something..for instance, do you feed her/turn her out straight after she's been tied up? Has her behaviour at any other times changed or is this the only change? does she aways paw with the same hoof? did she ever paw at all while tied up at your old yard? have she ever changed yards before and did her behaviour change then?
That's probably enough questions for now..
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right ok here goes!
1) Yes she's done it since day 1 of moving, initially put it down to her being a little stressed as in unfamiliar surroundings, but she has been there 5 weeks now and still does it. Never pawed at the old yard, she would stand still and go to sleep while I tacked her up!
2) I bought her in February, she had been in the same place since birth and didn't have this problem when she first came to me, at a different yard.
3) Her routine didn't change initially, although it did after about 2 weeks as I changed from having her in at night to being out 24/7 for a holiday. Now she just comes in to be ridden, then fed.
4) Yes her feed has changed from a cool mix to Alfa-A with a bit of Baileys lo-cal. I wanted something less starchy and more fibre-based without upping calories, as she is quite hot but a good doer.
5) always the same hoof - the left!
Somebody mentioned about her not being able to see, and I wonder if this is what it is; when she is tied up inside she can't see over the door, and usually manages to untie herself so she can look over the door. When tied up outside the rings are round the edge of the horseshoe-shaped stable block, so they are effectively tied facing the wall, whereas in the old place she would be tied up overlooking the indoor school in the barn. There is a tying-up post in the centre of the new yard, i've only ever had her tied up to that once and come to think of it she was a bit better, I guess cos she could see around her better. There is usually someone else's haynet tied to it so I try and not tie her up there, but I think I will try it again in future, see if it helps
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
so by the sounds of it, she likes to see what's happening around her.. althought you say she use to fall asleep while tied, so i don't have a mental image of her being a highly strung super alert type?!
i would try tying her so she can see, you say she seemed better when you did.. can you move the other persons haynet? is there any reason you shouldn't be tying her there?
if the problem disappears, it would seem you've hit the nail on the head!
if she stands quietly, would she keep still if you tied her to the stables on a long rope (or would she try to turn and keep sticking her bum in other peoples way?!)
do you have a mirror you could put on the wall outside her stable? (don't laugh!)
is it possible to tie her in the stable so she can look over the door if she wants to without it becoming a problem for you i.e would she become 'fixated' by the outside world and not listen to you?
if you can stop the problem by making some adjustments like this, the behaviour pattern may disappear as she becomes more settled in her new home and associates the place a with calmer state of mind...
is she impatient to get back out with her 24/7 buddies? they can stop relying on you a lot the more time they spend with other equines. if this was the case i would expect her to show some other behavioural annoyances though tbh..
sorry, i do tend to rattle on a bit...
i would try tying her so she can see, you say she seemed better when you did.. can you move the other persons haynet? is there any reason you shouldn't be tying her there?
if the problem disappears, it would seem you've hit the nail on the head!
if she stands quietly, would she keep still if you tied her to the stables on a long rope (or would she try to turn and keep sticking her bum in other peoples way?!)
do you have a mirror you could put on the wall outside her stable? (don't laugh!)
is it possible to tie her in the stable so she can look over the door if she wants to without it becoming a problem for you i.e would she become 'fixated' by the outside world and not listen to you?
if you can stop the problem by making some adjustments like this, the behaviour pattern may disappear as she becomes more settled in her new home and associates the place a with calmer state of mind...
is she impatient to get back out with her 24/7 buddies? they can stop relying on you a lot the more time they spend with other equines. if this was the case i would expect her to show some other behavioural annoyances though tbh..
sorry, i do tend to rattle on a bit...
sfward
Well-Known Member
No not at all, I appreciate you taking the time to help! I don't think there's any particular reason why I can't tie her to the middle post; I just assume that if there's a haynet there someone is about to use it, kind of like putting your towel on a sunbed!! But I'll move it and see what happens.
I can't really tie her so she can see out of the stable as she'd be standing in the doorway, complete pain when you're trying to get in and out tacking up etc. I'm not sure about the long rope, would be interesting to try...
She genuinely did used to stand and be sleepy before, but she is naturally a very buzzy horse when ridden, so it was a curious contrast. she has been generally less relaxed ever since she moved yards, she was an absolute cow to plait up the other week; I had to have a friend hanging onto her head the whole time when before I could do her entire mane without her moving a muscle...
I can't really tie her so she can see out of the stable as she'd be standing in the doorway, complete pain when you're trying to get in and out tacking up etc. I'm not sure about the long rope, would be interesting to try...
She genuinely did used to stand and be sleepy before, but she is naturally a very buzzy horse when ridden, so it was a curious contrast. she has been generally less relaxed ever since she moved yards, she was an absolute cow to plait up the other week; I had to have a friend hanging onto her head the whole time when before I could do her entire mane without her moving a muscle...
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
i don't have the stable tying problem because my own horses are always loose in the stable, even when i'm tacking up etc because they are taught to stand in the round pen from the word go when being tacked up or washed off at the end etc.
does she need to be tied in the stable? does she back up for you, respect your space etc? i expect my horses to move back to give me space without the need of me saying anything and to stand still if i'm with them.
is there a window in her stable?
is she happy out in the field? made any horsy friends?
were you plaiting inside or out?
have you just moved house or is it just your horse that has moved? by this i'm wondering if you have been under any extra stress lately, because she will pick up on it, mares especially.
does she need to be tied in the stable? does she back up for you, respect your space etc? i expect my horses to move back to give me space without the need of me saying anything and to stand still if i'm with them.
is there a window in her stable?
is she happy out in the field? made any horsy friends?
were you plaiting inside or out?
have you just moved house or is it just your horse that has moved? by this i'm wondering if you have been under any extra stress lately, because she will pick up on it, mares especially.
lilpinkso
Well-Known Member
meant to add.. you should try not to worry about her because she's in a new yard, if she respects you as her 'leader' and she picks up on you being worried, well.. if the herd leader is worried there must be someting to worry about!!
i hope you don't think i'm being patronising at all, it is not my intention
i hope you don't think i'm being patronising at all, it is not my intention
sfward
Well-Known Member
I tie her up in the stable because she likes to stand in the doorway otherwise, which is annoying when I'm trying to be in and out with equipment/tack etc. She was annoying me yesterday as she wasn't respecting my space and was trying to stand on top of me so I started sending her away and only letting her come near me when she was being polite; I'm going to persevere with this as I hate horses being rude and barging me around!!
thanks for all your advice
thanks for all your advice