[MaggieSue]

Riding them and giving with SOFT HANDS will teach them to give to the bit. Tying a horse around to his side can cause problems, a SLIGHT 'asking' is all that is needed IMO.

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by MaggieSue

Riding them and giving with SOFT HANDS will teach them to give to the bit. Tying a horse around to his side can cause problems, a SLIGHT 'asking' is all that is needed IMO.

I agree. I won't ever tie any of my horses heads even for a minute or two. They could panic and such. Anyway I tend to 'ask' for the give using my the rein/rope. Ask for the bend, when they give, DROP the rein. This is an immediate release of pressure. For ME, this works on every horse I have used it on and it has translated under saddle wonderfully.

[Jenje!]

I can't be the only one who has the urge to go out and use this method JUST because someone is flipping a tizzy over it.

I've done it. It's not my favorite technique, but sure!

[Mira]

Originally Posted by Jenje!

I can't be the only one who has the urge to go out and use this method JUST because someone is flipping a tizzy over it.

You're not! xD

[Bernardo]

Originally Posted by MaggieSue

Riding them and giving with SOFT HANDS will teach them to give to the bit. Tying a horse around to his side can cause problems, a SLIGHT 'asking' is all that is needed IMO.

The key here is the horse already needs to have an idea on how to bend in order for this exercise to work.

I'm sorry but when my horse is being a **** and wants to fight me you bet I'll get off and tie her around and let her work out her issues with herself. This isn't cruel, I'm not being mean. I simply tied her head around and encourage her to walk around herself in a circle giving to pressure.

When I get back on I have a totally different horse. She is loosened up and not as stiff. Doing that does a better job than I would because it gives a release RIGHT AWAY. As humans our reaction time isn't as quick, we are a milisecond or two behind it or more.

Explain to me how you think it causes problems? (I'm not being rude, I'm curious)

I've seen it done a million times, I do it on my horses. And the benefits I get from it are a) much quicker b) much better.

Many trainers use this exercise because it allows them to be more efficient. Trainers run a business, it is their living, they don't have time to spend hours and hours or months and months simply teaching a horse to bend. So once they understand the concept of bending you can introduce a horse to tieing around.

Ours get tied around no more then 10 minutes each way and are under constant supervision. In a snaffle on top of that. When we tied their head down (not tied to their chest, tied so they are level and can stick their nose out an inch or two when they are working correctly) and lunge them, we do it in just a halter. To me it sounds way nicer than me getting in an agrument with them, which as good as a horse is or as soft as a horse it arguments happen.

That being said someone who doesn't have a clue what they are doing can cause more issues tieing a horse around.

[Bernardo]

Originally Posted by KristinJ

I agree. I won't ever tie any of my horses heads even for a minute or two. They could panic and such. Anyway I tend to 'ask' for the give using my the rein/rope. Ask for the bend, when they give, DROP the rein. This is an immediate release of pressure. For ME, this works on every horse I have used it on and it has translated under saddle wonderfully.

The thing with tieing the head around is the horse ALREADY needs to have the basic understanding of give and release and how to bend around and collect.

Sure a horse can freak out, but then again they for freak out when your on them and you fall off, drop the reins, step on the reins and seriously injure themselves. A horse can panic anywhere at anytime and hurt themselves. Generally, if a horse spooks with their head tied around the worst that happens is they end up driving themselves in a circle. You have to understand tied around correctly means they aren't really tight, and if they wanted to they could even walk forward.

I would hope someone wouldn't tie a horse around who has never been tied around as tight at they might one who is experienced in being tied.

Tieing around isn't for everyone, and in fact I would NEVER EVER suggest someone to do it, especially not here on a forum because its not something you can just go do. You really need to be shown how to do it and it doesn't work on every horse.

[Theorist]

I used to use a bungie. It is a fantastic tool to putting a mouth on a horse, teaching them to give and move into the bridle at the same time while being soft. It allows you to get on a green horse knowing that they are equiped with some of the skills they need to know to be a success under saddle. When you pick up the reins you have stearing and softness.

[IIIBarsV]

Riding them and giving with SOFT HANDS will teach them to give to the bit. Tying a horse around to his side can cause problems, a SLIGHT 'asking' is all that is needed IMO.

I agree. Although I usually do it with my own two hands on the ground first.

I don't ever see a reason to tie a horse around, if you're using your aids and brain correctly.

If you want a horse with muscle damage, go for it. Let's tie your arm behind your back for 10 minutes or 30 minutes. Sure, you can do it... but you're going to be sore and start leaning on that tie as soon as your muscles get fatigued, which is usually around the 5-10 minute mark. Are you really going to learn anything?

Notta thing except how much you can lean on the tie without hurting yourself.

I can honestly say there has never been a situation or a horse who I even considered tying around, no matter the age, training level, or behavior of the horse. There's nothing you can't fix with your own two hands- provided you know how to use them, and know how to keep your temper and patience.

If you have a horse with a problem and you think you "have" to tie them around, then I really do not believe the horse is the one with the problem.

[Sassy_Frazzle]

I agree. It can be beneficial when used in the right hands. We used to use it on troubled horses until I watched some Clinton Anderson and learned to ask them to bend their head around, wait until the give (even if it's just a inch), and release. Then repeat until you can do it without them moving around in circles.. I refuse to tie heads around anymore because I have seen one too many a horse throw themselves with their head tied around. Mine did that once and ended up with his face in the dirt. Quite an experience if you ask me.

Just be sure that if you tie a horses head, you have something to CUT the line with if something bad happens.

[tlwidener]

Originally Posted by Sassy_Frazzle

I agree. It can be beneficial when used in the right hands. We used to use it on troubled horses until I watched some Clinton Anderson and learned to ask them to bend their head around, wait until the give (even if it's just a inch), and release. Then repeat until you can do it without them moving around in circles.. I refuse to tie heads around anymore because I have seen one too many a horse throw themselves with their head tied around. Mine did that once and ended up with his face in the dirt. Quite an experience if you ask me.

Just be sure that if you tie a horses head, you have something to CUT the line with if something bad happens.

Use baling twine. It breaks if they throw a fit or get into a tight spot. It also saves the reins.