what about....

[Skyblu7]

Hey Im new! Im at a college that has some different training methods for horses and pleasure. I have seen things like tying their heads up, tying them to a tree, tying around, hobbles cathedralbits and so on.... what do oyu guys think about some of these and do you know of anything else people use? Let me know...

[DixieGirl]

Hey Im new! Im at a college that has some different training methods for horses and pleasure. I have seen things like tying their heads up, tying them to a tree, tying around, hobbles cathedralbits and so on.... what do oyu guys think about some of these and do you know of anything else people use? Let me know...

I haven't heard of any of these except hobbles for horse trailering manners and the tree tying for patience and to keep thier head high ALWAYS!! :)

[Comanchegurl14]

Don't keep their heads high!!!! That just results in their necks getting really sore and eventually leading to problems!!!! Hobbles helps if your horse has a standing problem.

[Manda]

They tie their heads up while being ridden? I hope not.

The only use for hobbles that I personally know of is to prevent a mare from kicking a stallion during breeding o_o

[Reasonsmom]

I agree with Manda... We always tie ours to trees with intertubes and quick release snaps when teaching yearlings to stand tied. It serves several purposes and works without too much risk of injury. As far as the rest of the methods you mentioned I have never heard of them, but they don't sound very nice.

[Comanchegurl14]

Hobbles doesn't hurt them...just teaches them to stand still and not kick.

[StarGirl]

usually tying their heads high is before a western pleasure class to get their necks sore so that their heads will stay low, i am not a fan of this treatment to horses

That's awful!!!!!

[Skip_n_Hide]

Yeah it is awful... how could anyone put their horse through that just to compete, etc. :(

[Skyblu7]

Yea I dont agree with all of them, I dont mind the tree for young horse or horses that have problems tying. But horses that are fine and just werent being good, the tree doesnt teach them anything. Hobbles are always good to teach standing and tying there heads up, i dont like.

[Comanchegurl14]

I don't like the tying their heads up thing....hobbles I'm ok with...any of the other stuff is just mean....the tree isn't bad..but I mean...a sturdy wall will serve your purpose for that.....

[Melian]

The tree tying thing sounds very short-term. People who employ these tactics are not horsemen but business people who are trying to turn a quick buck.

[Casper2002]

what i would do is what someone said tie with an intertube. but what i do is i work in the barn all day long and when i am in there i just tie him up all day as long as i am around in case anything happens. It really works

[HappyHorse13]

I wouldn't want to use any of those devices.

If I were a horse, I would certainly REBEL against those!

I hate what some people do in Western Pleasure (English can be no better!) when the people tie their horse's heads up. That is really mean.

[DarkChylde]

I must give a hearty AMEN to this one!
I also don't approve of these 3 and 4 yr olds being turned out as dressage prospects that have been over worked to be muscled up across the topline like they like. But I don't approve of techniques used in racing, rodeos, and about 75% of the 'big lick' shows. Very against that. But as long as horses mean big money, rather than our noble partners who deserve respect, we will have these 'problems.'

[Reasonsmom]

I have been reading the responses to this thread and somehow I don't think we are all talking about the same thing. I do not agree with tying their heads "up". It is unnatural and surely uncomfortable which leads to stress. I start my yearlings out by simply tying them to a tree with 2 halters/lead ropes, because they can break and a scared yearling will do stupid things. thr lead ropes and halters have quick release/stress release snaps so they can bel released in the case of need. The ropes are looped thru a deflated intertube that is safely secured to a small-medium sized tree. All of this teaches them the give and take and just how to stand tied with very little risk of injury and they are never left unattended. I have done this with babies as young as 4 months old and it works. I can ususally have one ready in less than one day and able to go anywhere and stand tied. A trainer friend of mine told me a long time ago that some of the best lessons a horse can learn are the ones they teach themselves. This is an excellent example. They learn that pulling away gets nothing but restraint and pressure but release givees them a relaxation. They don't tear up cross ties and dont get cast in stalls and other than a skinned knee I have never had one get an injury and that was partly my fault for not tying him low enough that he couldn't strike at the tree. It works and is a simple and low cost way to teach a foundation lesson.

[bethfornow]

Amen to the last quote. Horses have problems because of people!!!

And you guys havent heard of anything yet. I help train horses for AQHA "big wig" shows and the trainers who are just in it for the money will do any thing for that picture perfect image goin down the rail. Injecting the tail with chemicals to "deaden" it so the horse can't pick it up at the canter(this also means they can't pick it up to poop). Cutting a horses stifles (tendon in the back of the leg) to lenghten strides. tying a horses head basically touching his curcingle ALL day to "soften" their neck. Using hock boots attached to a gag bit by thin ropes to keep their heads down. etc. etc.

Its horrible what some horses go through to make their people happy. It seems the more expensive a horse was the more trama they'll have to endure in their life.

[horsesxox23]

amen to that the last post too!!
the back yard horses are prolly some of the luckiest ones in the world, no matter how expensive some fancy show horses gear is, its the owner and trainer that count, and most dolled-up horses dont get the same type of care and ateention they deserve, they may get the best saddles and blankets, but they still dont get the hour long brushing while grazing just for the helk of it, or long trail rides and awesome pasture mates, or the long awaited hug at the end of the day. :rolleyes: