Tying up horse who breaks free....

A

Angel44

Member
Joined
11 August 2009
Messages
17
Visit site
Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep my horse safely tied up??? Halo is an 8 year old TB gelding who has very strong riggish tendancies. When we go to shows he will break free from the trailer, snapping leadreins and headcollars, and go rampaging around the carpark trying to cause mischief with all and sundry. I've had to resort to leaving him in the trailer until his class, but then he constantly walks on the spot and kicks out. By the time I get on he's soaking wet and exhuasted. Unfortunately getting to the show just in time for his class isn't usually an option as my daughter competes on her pony too and her classes are before mine. I've tried using 2 leadropes, but he broke the headcollar.... He's put his neck out at the poll numerous times by doing this and costs me a fortune in getting it sorted. Any ideas would be gratefully received.
 
Rather than tying him, which it seems is likely to result in a serious injury, sooner or later, could you make a small enclosure with electric fencing next to the trailer?
 
I did try that. I backed the trailer into a corner so we had a fence behind us and a fence along side us. I made him a decent size electric tape paddock (probably twice the size of a stable) and the result was that he dragged that behind him whilst rampaging through the carpark! I'm starting to think I'm fighting a losing battle....
 
When I go out with youngsters I tie them up and then have them attached to a lunge rein as well, which I keep hold of, so when I go round the to the car boot to get stuff out, if they break the rope, I've still got them. If they break the headcollar though, I'm buggered!!

Does he do this at home as well?

Jason Webb, the horse trainer Kent has a way of solving this.
 
Unfortunately this isn't always possible as I'm helping my daughter in the practice arena. Obviously I could try that once she's finished... I can tie him up in the stable without any problems and he's only broken free once. However, if I tie him for the farrier he will break free and do a runner back to his field. I think he gets anxious, or at the shows he's excited, impatient etc and wants to get going.

I suppose I can just leave him in the trailer, but then everyone can hear the walking and kicking. I guess I could also leave the back ramp open and put a little electric tape fence round the back to stop anyone getting within kicking range. Although the floor of my trailer is pretty new, I'm worried he's going to walk his way through it!
 
Tie him to a stretchy inflatable tyre/rubber ring (when not inflated), then tie that to whatever you would have tied him to. It then acts as a sort of bungee - if he pulls back on it, he will only have enough energy to pull back so far before it springs back. I've seen it done on a strong 16h horse that rears lots when tied up and used to break lead ropes/headcollars all the time and it works really well!
 
becca27 said:
Tie him to a stretchy inflatable tyre/rubber ring (when not inflated), then tie that to whatever you would have tied him to. It then acts as a sort of bungee - if he pulls back on it, he will only have enough energy to pull back so far before it springs back. I've seen it done on a strong 16h horse that rears lots when tied up and used to break lead ropes/headcollars all the time and it works really well!
Click to expand...


Thanks for that, I will give it a go
 
Not ideal, but I would not take both out on the same day. Then you can concentrate on your daughter and her pony without the worry of yours left on the trailer, and vice versa.
 
I don't think there's a quick fix in all honesty, you're just going to have to hold him or not take him. Unless you fancy tying him to a concreted girder with a rawhide headcollar and leadrope and wait til he gets tired/pulls his head off? Sorry not much help :(
 
Im reading this post with interest as my horse has just started being a pain in the neck to tie up since he went out 24/7....he will yank back on his headcollar and rear and generally be an idiot.....i suspect he has probably put his poll out in his antics.
Who do you get to sort your horses poll out when he has pulled back on a headcollar and done something to it. Do you get a physio to sort it or a chiro???
 
Farrierlover said:
I don't think there's a quick fix in all honesty, you're just going to have to hold him or not take him. Unless you fancy tying him to a concreted girder with a rawhide headcollar and leadrope and wait til he gets tired/pulls his head off? Sorry not much help :(
Click to expand...

That's the obvious thing to do, completely agree. Once he's behaving when you go alone, then you can try going out together again but not until that.
 
I know its expensive but some places will let you hire a stable for a day. If its totally unaviodable that you have to take both horses then i'd do that. They are naughty sometimes and mine does this (thankfully, he is fine left in the wagon) and, thankfully usually comes back after a bit of cavorting about like a lunatic! As for the lunge line idea what if he spots 'that' in the distance and runs for 'that' then, youre basically gonna go skiing instead of riding! thats quide dangerous for other too, either way you cant carry onlike this, i have sincere sympathy for the poor person chasing thre horse around the showground as its usually me. Good luck sorting something out!
 
I don't envy you. He knows that he can do it, so it is not going to be easy to fix this now.

I think that until you are confident that he can be trusted to be tied up or stay in the trailer, then you need to take a friend who can hold him while you help your daughter, as if he's rampaging around showgrounds it's not going to be long before your horse causes a terrible accident! Sorry x
 
Also making sure your tie rings are fitted high up at your horses eye level, they are less likely to rear/pull back and panic quite as much if tied up at that height, may not make much difference in your situation but it may be worth remembering.
 
skychick said:
Im reading this post with interest as my horse has just started being a pain in the neck to tie up since he went out 24/7....he will yank back on his headcollar and rear and generally be an idiot.....i suspect he has probably put his poll out in his antics.
Who do you get to sort your horses poll out when he has pulled back on a headcollar and done something to it. Do you get a physio to sort it or a chiro???
Click to expand...

I use a wonderful lady by the name of Faye, I can pass on her number privately if you are interested. She is a qualified McTimoney Chiropractor and is absolutely incredible. I have used her on a number of horses, both my own and clients at our livery yard, and we have all seen a dramatic improvement in each and every horse. I have used many 'back people' over the years and have never seen anyone work such miracles as Faye. She is based in Lincolnshire and I'm not sure how far she would travel, but if you need her number send me a pm.
 
Thanks to all for your replies. They have all given me things to think about and try. He's definitely a menace, that's for sure! If he didn't enjoy his jumping so much I think I probably would have given up by now. I knew I should have steered clear of a chestnut hehe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top