Tie-Down

PreppyxCowgirl · 06-20-2008, 09:58 AM

When I first got my horse, his owners recommended that I continue to ride him with a tie down. So, I have been, and I took the tie down off for a couple rides (one bareback and one under saddle). He tosses his head and when he gets excited, he rears. I am going to start him on barrels again pretty soon, but I do not like running barrels with a tie down on. What do I need to do to take the tie down off of him and keep me safe at the same time?

Haas Horse Farm · 06-20-2008, 10:20 AM

Do you understand that part of the head tossing is because he is looking for the tie down? What bit are you riding with? How old is the horse? How broke and responsive is the horse? What were you doing that made the horse rear?

PreppyxCowgirl · 06-20-2008, 12:23 PM

I am riding with a rope nose combination bit when we are competing, and when we are just at home and working I ride him in a full cheek snaffle. He is 13. He is not green, but is definitely not dead broke. We were on a trail ride with 147 other horses and we had to stand still several times (waiting up for someone) and he did not want to stand still, so he went up.

MI Racer · 06-20-2008, 12:27 PM

A tiedown is not meant for head tossing or a high headset. They are used to give the horse something to brace against in the tight, high speed turns.

luttrellfarms · 06-20-2008, 06:08 PM

You might try riding him with training forks around home and on trail rides and see if this will help him get away from the tie down. Also, when you are stopped and he does not want to stand, it is a good time to work on turning, backing, etc.

Haas Horse Farm · 06-20-2008, 10:47 PM

A tie down is not going to stop those problems. You have got to work him to the point he is begging you to stand... LOL Do you practice stopping and standing while at home? That is something that is often over looked in training.

I agree a racing fork or training fork or german martingale would help keep him on the ground. Also sounds like he needs lots and lots of wet saddle blankets to make him more responsive to you. You might also read the thread about whoa. I am not sure that he gets that.

MaggieSue · 06-21-2008, 07:38 AM

This isn't just a 'tie down' problem-it's an entire training issue.
You need to go back to the beginning with this one. Rearing is from not allowing him to go forward-by tying his head and then asking him to. He has nowhere to go except UP. Untie his head-leave his head alone-and let him move! I'd go back to driving him to be honest, I would not ride a rearing horse.

Circle C · 06-21-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PreppyxCowgirl

When I first got my horse, his owners recommended that I continue to ride him with a tie down. So, I have been, and I took the tie down off for a couple rides (one bareback and one under saddle). He tosses his head and when he gets excited, he rears. I am going to start him on barrels again pretty soon, but I do not like running barrels with a tie down on. What do I need to do to take the tie down off of him and keep me safe at the same time?

If he is used to a tie-down, then leave it be. There's one peeve I have... and that is....when I sell a horse (finished barrel horse), and I tell the ppl Example: "he runs best in a half circle gag and a bonnet" and they take him home and decide that they wanna run him in a jr cow horse and no tie down....and they the horse is a complete wing nut they wanna bring him back.

My point is..... if the previous owners know what they're talking about and they tel you what he rides best in, then do that. If they are yahoos that tell you to ride a 2yo in a port bit and a tie down, then no, don't listen to them b/c that's ridiculous.... mbut you see my piont..

on another note....Some ppl also think a tie down will cure training issues.... it wont. I've seen ppl put tie downs on horses bc they have a rearing and/or popping up problem. I would NEVER put one on a rearer.... it's much worse when a horse rears with a tiedown on verses w/o one on. I have seen ppl crank heads down with a tie down and the horse go over backwards... believe me, they can still rear with a tie down.

It soundslike he's rearing out of lack of training and disprespect. Can we say BACK TO THE ROUND PEN

cowgurly02 · 06-21-2008, 07:46 AM

A tie down won't fix his not wanting to stand still and rearing issues, they are not meante for that. When I have a horse who won't stand still, I circle and circle and circle (fast and hard, kicking his butt around those little circles) until, as Mary said, he figures out that standing still is a lot easier than getting his butt worked off.

2spotslast · 06-21-2008, 12:00 PM

Sounds like this horse is a little spoiled and has some large gaps in his training. First, check to make sure your tack is adjusted correctly and fits him. Then saddle him and tie him somewhere he can't get hurt, with a strong halter, and lead. Then let him stay there for awhile and he'll learn he really can be patient. He may dig some pretty big holes, and it may take a few times, but he has to learn. When you work him, go slow. He needs to learn how to give to your hands and use his hindquarters. This is accomplished by holding your hands steady and using your seat and legs to drive his hindquarters forward. When he relaxes his jaw and "gives" the release from the reins is his reward. It doesn't take them very long to figure it out. Once he is responding to your leg, seat, and hands, slowly work him on his patterns. Walk the barrels until he is doing them the way he should be, is listening and responsive, then move to the trot. Repeat process to the lope. Please, for your own safety, do not try to run this horse at speed until you can get these problems worked out. I agree with the others about the tie-down. It is causing more harm than good at this point.

06-20-2008, 09:58 AM	#1
PreppyxCowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 1,277 Images: 169	Tie-Down When I first got my horse, his owners recommended that I continue to ride him with a tie down. So, I have been, and I took the tie down off for a couple rides (one bareback and one under saddle). He tosses his head and when he gets excited, he rears. I am going to start him on barrels again pretty soon, but I do not like running barrels with a tie down on. What do I need to do to take the tie down off of him and keep me safe at the same time? __________________ Katie

06-20-2008, 12:23 PM	#3
PreppyxCowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 1,277 Images: 169	I am riding with a rope nose combination bit when we are competing, and when we are just at home and working I ride him in a full cheek snaffle. He is 13. He is not green, but is definitely not dead broke. We were on a trail ride with 147 other horses and we had to stand still several times (waiting up for someone) and he did not want to stand still, so he went up. __________________ Katie

06-20-2008, 06:08 PM	#5
luttrellfarms Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 342	You might try riding him with training forks around home and on trail rides and see if this will help him get away from the tie down. Also, when you are stopped and he does not want to stand, it is a good time to work on turning, backing, etc. __________________ Tony R. Luttrell www.angelfire.com/trek/landrfarms

06-21-2008, 07:38 AM	#7
MaggieSue Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,762 Images: 2	This isn't just a 'tie down' problem-it's an entire training issue. You need to go back to the beginning with this one. Rearing is from not allowing him to go forward-by tying his head and then asking him to. He has nowhere to go except UP. Untie his head-leave his head alone-and let him move! I'd go back to driving him to be honest, I would not ride a rearing horse. __________________ http://equinemassage.homestead.com/ Center for Natural Healing for Animals Equine Massage Classes Therapy and Books for Rehabbing the EPM, Sway Back, Cold Back

06-21-2008, 07:46 AM	#9
cowgurly02 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 9,716 Images: 237 Blog Entries: 381	A tie down won't fix his not wanting to stand still and rearing issues, they are not meante for that. When I have a horse who won't stand still, I circle and circle and circle (fast and hard, kicking his butt around those little circles) until, as Mary said, he figures out that standing still is a lot easier than getting his butt worked off. __________________ "I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is." - Zoolander

06-20-2008, 12:27 PM	#4
MI Racer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 656	A tiedown is not meant for head tossing or a high headset. They are used to give the horse something to brace against in the tight, high speed turns.

06-21-2008, 12:00 PM	#10
2spotslast Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: out in the boondocks Posts: 436	Sounds like this horse is a little spoiled and has some large gaps in his training. First, check to make sure your tack is adjusted correctly and fits him. Then saddle him and tie him somewhere he can't get hurt, with a strong halter, and lead. Then let him stay there for awhile and he'll learn he really can be patient. He may dig some pretty big holes, and it may take a few times, but he has to learn. When you work him, go slow. He needs to learn how to give to your hands and use his hindquarters. This is accomplished by holding your hands steady and using your seat and legs to drive his hindquarters forward. When he relaxes his jaw and "gives" the release from the reins is his reward. It doesn't take them very long to figure it out. Once he is responding to your leg, seat, and hands, slowly work him on his patterns. Walk the barrels until he is doing them the way he should be, is listening and responsive, then move to the trot. Repeat process to the lope. Please, for your own safety, do not try to run this horse at speed until you can get these problems worked out. I agree with the others about the tie-down. It is causing more harm than good at this point. __________________ Shhhh! I'm not here!