[Friesiangirl]

I want to know how to teach gracie to lay down on cue...and camal strech (front legs extended, but goes back)

Thanks!

[Shotgun93]

The best way I have found to teach a horse to lay down is to start by teaching them to bow, which will give them the idea of laying down.

Then, we take two ropes, a 12' rope and a 22' rope. Make a loop with the 12' rope and loop it around one front leg (it should go around the leg that your horse lifts to bow). Then do the same thing with the 22' rope on the other leg. It helps to use a western saddle too if you have one. The leg closest to you should be the one that you have worked on picking up for bowing and should have the 12' rope, the other side should have the 22' rope. Then, take the 22' rope and bring it over your horses back (this is where the saddle is nice) and the take the 12' rope and go underneath your horse and then bring it back over your horses back, so you have both the ropes coming over on one side.
Then, lift up the leg with the 12' and ask your horse to bow, take up the slack in both the ropes and use the 22' rope to get her leg underneath her. So now she should be kneeling with her bum up in the air. If she tries to jump or hop, keep your rope tight and stay with her. Eventually she'll just flop over. Have lots of treats ready for this.

Remember, a horse laying down is the most vurnerable position for them and it's hard for them to trust you enough to do this. Also, the way we ask them to lay down is opposite of how they lay down and it's not natural for them. It can be very dangerous if your horse isn't willing, a hopping horse with flayling legs is dangerous enough, but you are right next to them while they are doing it, so it's even more dangerous. But, once they do lay down, and start to figure out that you aren't going to hurt him, it can really help a horse gain trust in you. That's why we give lots of treats, even more incentive for it.

Good Luck!