Teaching colt to tie up

[aimee8282]

You might have read my earlier post about my 7 month old foal who is on box rest due to a cut on his near hind leg, vet came out last night and re-bandaged it, coming back out on Saturday. Anyway, with both mum and foal on box rest till probably next week he's being handled much more than usual. He can lead already really well in a rope halter, got that nipped in the bum from the start

With having to muck them out twice a day

it would be really useful if I could tie him up to get him out the way! I read in an earlier post someone mentioned usuing a lunge line, any other tips?

Thank you in advance

 

[Magicmadge]

What i did to start with was have a longish lead rope on and put it through your tie ring. I kept hold of the end rather than tie it. Then i gave her a brush and picked up feet etc still holding the rope then as she backed up she felt the pressure but if she did panic i was able to let go. I did this for a few days then tied her properly on a bale string and had the same routine. Then i did the same thing outside the stable and first day i was able to tie her properly. This worked for me on two babies now, and although they fidget they will stand while i do my jobs (6months and 8 months)

 

[Vickijay]

I also started mine with my really long lead rope just going through the ring whilst I brushed them. I did that for a week or so.

When I was ready to try leaving them (well just not standing right by them! I still dont leave them tied, I am always near them and their yearlings now) I brought some tie up elastic bungie safety things from the tack shop (I got the weediest looking ones there were) and I ALWAYS tie my babies up to them and they have got them out of trouble on a few occasions when they have got in a pickle they ping free. They take a pull to twang off but Id rather have loose babies than injured ones (but our stables are in a barn so they cant go far!!)

 

[Resupgirl]

Problem is that if a youngster hits pressure he will pull against it.

I always put a lead rein on my youngsters and put it through the ring while I groom and pick their feet but dont tie it. If he decides to pull back I have a loose grip on the rope. My youngsters are always let to wander around the coral and spend time with the older horses for a scratch and I find out their soft spots which is always a bonus if they are being monkeys it takes the stress out of the situation to give them a nice scratch in the right place.

 

[eventrider23]

I wouldn't say that a youngster will always pull against pressure as, like with any horse, if they are taught to step into pressure when halter training (i.e. when you pull on headcollar they step forward, etc etc) then the same when learning to tie up. I would echo what the others have said about holding the rope for the first few times as this is exactly what I do and then gradually tying them up as they quickly learn that if they lean back and pressure goes on then they step forward into it and it is released. Not saying this will work with all however if the baby is properly halter trained then it should take relatively easily to tying up.

 

[Lark]

We use the following and it has worked extremely well.
1. Use a rubber tie up - about a 1.5 ft long thick rubber with a clip to the head collar (clip or ring at the other end); they are online or in tack shops.
2. Attach rubber tie up to a bungie lead rope with a quick release attachment (same as with lead ropes - pull/release)
3. Bungie is attached to the bars on the stable with the quick release to the outside.

Typically because the rubber lead is flexible - if they pull, they pull against themselves and do not tend to panic - just a tug of war with themselves
If they do panic you can release from outside the stable quickly for your own safely.
Most of the time there is no panic and they are happy to stand and play with the lead.

 

[madthing2spyda]

I dont understand !!! why have you left it so long to tie up your babies, I have a 9 month old sports filly who ties up and stands not figiting about, I muck out around her sweep around her feet, rugs on / off no prob and comes to call in 10 acres. You have to put in the work and it will all be good, and be very clear black and white NO grey. She was 7 1/2 months when I got her and she didn't even know how to lead.

 

[Lark]

Hi madthing, I think you possibly may have misread some of the information in my post. It doesn't appear that anyone has "left it so long" . We teach them to tie up once they lead perfectly; normally this is started pre weaning so that they tie-up next to their sensible mothers.