[Debbie z.]

Has anyone heard of putting hobbles on front legs of horse turning then out alone in paddock were can't see opther horses.Then bringing them in to feed alone in barn with no other horses in beside her.While eating take the hobbles off. As soon as done eating turning her out and putting hobbles on overnight again and doing this for a couple of days. The reason is my mare would not stay in stall by herself she'd flip out jumping up in stall.She'd try to put her head up in window(we took window pane out ). I couldn't cross tie in barn by her self to groom. I'd have to use wash stall outside so she could see other horses. What I've done is practice with her going by walking in barn and out other side for a few days. Then stopping in barn giving treats and walking right out. Then we'd repeat this until she'd stand for a few minuates and feel comfortable. The suggestion of hobbles was from a cowboy trainer from Arizona that my girlfriend new. What do you think? I think it's cruel and haven't done it but has anyone ever heard of this method?

[buck1173]

I think your question is in the wrong location... you might want to ask a mod to move it.

Regarding hobbles, I'm not anti hobble, they're useful in the right circumstance, but I don't think this is one of them.... hobbles are a good means of restricting a horse's movement for a horse that is broke to them and calmly accepts them... trying to use them to restrain an upset horse is an invitation for disaster imho.

When I was camping in CO we hobbled half the herd at night to let them free graze while we slept... but those horses were broke to hobbling, and were comfortable in their surroundings.

But even a hobbled horse can lope (found out the hard way one morning).

Search the training section, there have been lots of threads about solving herdboundness and separation anxiety. Its tough and takes patience and time, but doable.

oh, btw, your little trips in and out will help you, keep that up.

good luck.

[Debbie z.]

Originally Posted by buck1173

I think your question is in the wrong location... you might want to ask a mod to move it.

Regarding hobbles, I'm not anti hobble, they're useful in the right circumstance, but I don't think this is one of them.... hobbles are a good means of restricting a horse's movement for a horse that is broke to them and calmly accepts them... trying to use them to restrain an upset horse is an invitation for disaster imho.

When I was camping in CO we hobbled half the herd at night to let them free graze while we slept... but those horses were broke to hobbling, and were comfortable in their surroundings.

But even a hobbled horse can lope (found out the hard way one morning).

Search the training section, there have been lots of threads about solving herdboundness and separation anxiety. Its tough and takes patience and time, but doable.

oh, btw, your little trips in and out will help you, keep that up.

good luck.

Thank you wasn't sure if hobbling was under tack odid't want to post for two diff questions. Thank you for your help!

[luvs2ride79]

Hobbles can be a great tool, but only if a horse is trained for them. Just slapping hobbles on an excitable horse is a recipe for disaster...

If she'll tie, I'd install a heavy duty ring in her stall (to a stud, not just the wall) and tie her with a leather halter and sturdy bull snap lead rope (with a quick release knot). Tie her short enough that her legs won't get caught in the rope if she puts her head down. Put a hay bag next to her, give her some of her favorite trears or grain before she starts getting nervous, and then leave her. Stay within ear shot so you can hear if she really freaks out. Untie her if she does, but only if she's in serious danger. Otherwise, let her throw a fit. Leave her until she's quiet for a full 5 minutes. Then give her a bunch of her favorite treats or grain, love on her, make a big deal about how good she was, and then turn her back out with her friends.

The treats before and after will make the barn a more pleasant experience, and ignoring her during a tantrum will show her that being bad won't get her anywhere. As she gets better and better, she will stay inside less time. Her reward for standing quietly tied in a stall is treats and then turn out. Even the most thickeaded horse will catch on eventually, lol.

This is what we did for my husband's filly when she was bad about being tied alone. It only took a week for her to totally come around. After that, you could leave her alone in a barn or tied to a trailer for hours at a time with not one peep out of her . She was content to munch hay in peace .

I would also recommend changing her pasture arrangement if you can. Get her away from her favorite buddies to break some of that herd bound mentality.

[Debbie z.]

thanks lovestoride I will def try it. She is in her own paddock but next to 4 horses in paddock next to her. I've been putting her out alone and having hay ready for her.When she's inside she calls but does not jump up as much anymore there were horses put in paddock by her windowless window she knows there horses there that might calm her. But I would like to cross tie her in barn alone to groom her when it's cold. Thank you for posting.