Horse that won't tie up.

J

JRT

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My horse is really taking the pee lately. He just refuses to stand stil when tied up. He keeps moving from side to side and barging into me. He can be quite opinionated at times, but I am at a loss how to tackle this. Any advice appreciated.
 
So he is OK to tie up, not worried, just bolshy?

Perhaps using cross ties would help in the short run? At least he couldn't barge into you tied like that.

Sounds as if he could benefit from a reminder about basic manners.
 
Yes, you are probably right. He does need reminding about his manners. I have tried shouting and giving him a sharp reminder but he just refuses to stand. I don't know whether it's the new grass coming through and he's feeling his feet a bit. Should I just follow him round until he does stand still? I sound a right numpty don't I.
 
The new grass isnt really growing yet. hes being rude.. Tie him up shorter and if he continues to walk into you, push him over into something solid (wall) and make him stand still next too it..

Id tell you what id be but you probably wouldnt like it so i wont bother.

Lou x
 
My youngster used to be a bit like that and wouldn't stand still and moved from side to side and he also used to push against me and trap me against the side of the stable wall. The vet visited one day to give him is jabs, and I mentioned the problem wiht him. He suggested getting a bic biro and with the lid end jab it into his ribs next time he tried to push me against the wall. I did just that and he must have jumped about four foot into the air, but he never attempted to push me against the wall again. For that initial second of pain it caused him, which lets face it was really minimal as he was a big strapping lad of 16.3hh, it saved on lots of shouting and smacks from me for the remaining months I owned him, so it really was worth it. At the end of the day you have to think that they are very large and heavy animals that can do a lot of damage to you and sometimes it really is best to be cruel to be kind. My present horse moves around when he hears his tea being made up for him if he has ran out of his haynet whislt tied up outside his stable, and I realise it is anticipation rather than naughtiness. Otherwise he is as good as gold and stands still outside his stable or trailer (albeit with a haynet).
 
Chancer went through this stage at 3 - pure bad manners. I crossed tied him very short so that if he moved it was uncomfortable - I did not leave him like this very long. Minute he stood and was good, they were undone.

He very soon realised if he stood nicely he was on a loose rope and if he swung and fidgeted, his nose was against the wall and life was not comfortable - his choice.

I also would use the round end of a hoof pick in his ribs if he swung on me - again it took only a couple of sharp pokes from me to get the message through.

For the sake of a short amount of time of making life uncomfortable, it has paid off and he will now stand nicely waiting for me to muck out etc. I also only give nets if he has to be tied up for more than 45 mins, ie at shows or being show prepared.

I have large hairy horses and they have to be very well mannered due to their size.
 
I have been bringing a highland pony for guy on our yard and she is nice but doesnt have any idea of personal space.After she trod on my toes and wouldnt stand still for rug changes we used water spray once then told her she was good and made a fuss when she stood ,only had to do it twice.He had been pushing and walloping her and she didnt understand a simple squirt of water did the trick.
 
Cross tie him in a stable using a rope halter (no metal) straight to the tie rings (no string). Then leave him there for 4 hours for 3 days.............give him no attention while he is tied and ignore any "panicky" behaviour. Believe me it works wonders
smirk.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Cross tie him in a stable using a rope halter (no metal) straight to the tie rings (no string). Then leave him there for 4 hours for 3 days.............give him no attention while he is tied and ignore any "panicky" behaviour. Believe me it works wonders
smirk.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Are you serious?!!
 
I would do this, but using a proper headcollar and poss a chain with a block on the end through the end of a tie ring. Horse doesnt sound frightened, sounds like its taking the mick. Might be fidgeting cos its itchy if its summer coat is coming through, mine is.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Cross tie him in a stable using a rope halter (no metal) straight to the tie rings (no string). Then leave him there for 4 hours for 3 days.............give him no attention while he is tied and ignore any "panicky" behaviour. Believe me it works wonders
smirk.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Are you serious?!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Common practice in North America. The horse works out for himself that it is easier to just stand and relax than fight or fidget because it gets him nowhere.
 
[ QUOTE ]


Common practice in North America. The horse works out for himself that it is easier to just stand and relax than fight or fidget because it gets him nowhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funniest thing - I was asked to groom a colt when I first got here. He's not been taught to tie in crossties yet so got told to tie him in the stall. I go in - no baler twine to tie to, so I hunt some string down, attach it, tie colt up and groom him. YO arrives and immediately grills me about whether he is being bad to tie up. We have a complete cross purposes conversation for about 5 minutes until I realise we have hit a culture gap - and explain that in the UK I would be hung drawn and quartered for tying up direct to a ring, especially a youngster and that in fact the colt has been angelic.

Then about a week ago the farrier cornered me saying he'd been to a farrier's convention and some exchange people had shown pics of them shoeing at Royal Horse Guards. He said all these horses were tied to bits of string and the guys had explained that's what you do in the UK. He looked at me like all brits were lunatics, said 'but when I tie a horse up I want it to stay there' and walked off shaking his head (presumably at our idiotic behaviour regarding string!).

Everything here ties impeccably, nothing pulls back, and as far as I know nothing has managed to break its neck (or whatever other horror story someone comes up with about tying direct to rings).
 
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