© Antti Walnestedt

10. Tying.

Tying a horse can cause problems if the horse has learnt that he can get loose. When the horse was held by the halter for the first time and was let loose when he was resisting he learnt that he can get loose. The second time he remembers that he got loose when he resisted, he will resist more and more each time to get loose. Finally the horse breaks halters and lead ropes because he knows he is going to win. The owner does not want to hurt the horse, so he will let him loose quicker all the time. Finally the horse will walk away when he wants to, while being shod, while treated by the vet and so on. It is possible to solve the problem but it is necessary to first train the horse in a round pen or with a rope. Afterwards the horse can be tied up with a rope, he must be tied with the rope high above his head. If the rope is tied high, the horse can't pull harder than he pulls himself off the ground. If the rope is lower than his head it's like putting a harness on the horse, he can pull tons. A halter or a collar can be used, but it is safer with a rope that goes around his body behind the forelegs then between the forelegs through the halter to the tying point. The rope can be fastened unyielding or giving, if it's giving the resistance gets bigger the more the horse pulls, when he goes forwards it yields and he gives himself a release. The horse must be tied where he can fall without getting hurt, he must be able to throw himself forwards without danger of getting hurt etc. He must not be left without vigilance. When he is tied up he has to be fastened until he stops resisting and has realized he will not get loose.

If he is tied up after every training session he will be safe in the end. When the horse relaxes and is resting while being tied up he is feeling well. Lots of horses spend half of their life tied up in a stall, so tying the horse up for a while after working, before letting him out in his field, is nothing. Tying up, or hobbling of the legs can be used where it's not possible to tie the horse in a halter, in some parts of the world it is recommended in parks to prevent the horses from digging up the ground. The veterinaries tie together all four legs of the horse and pull them down, drugged but without any training. Teaching a horse to stand still when his legs are tied up can save his life. Horses always get hurt when they get stuck in fences, also while trail riding the horse can get stuck with a leg, if he then can stand quietly waiting to be let loose, no damage is done. The training has to be done by a knowledgeable trainer, it is better to get help than fail on your own. Nobody wins if the horse is frightened or hurt. The footing must be good, because the horse can fall by mistake. The horse ought to wear leg protection not to get rubbed and he has to be tied with a knot that is easy to open. If the horse is held with a rope you have more control if he wants to jump around. A horse can learn to run with his forelegs tied, but that is not the purpose of the training. Is the basic training in round pen or with the rope correctly done, the horse has got so much confidence that he feels his legs are tied up and settles down to rest.