How to train a horse to tie, Brent Graef style

bit · How to train a horse to tie, Brent Graef style

> Rebecca wrote:I have been thinking lately about how to teach a young horse to stand tied
> without pulling back and wondered what ideas the group has.
> Is this something that was addressed in the young horse handling class?
> Hi Rebecca.
> This is DEFINITELY something that is addressed in the Young Horse Class!Pulling back should NEVER become an option for a horse, if tying is presented in a good way.We usually start tying on day three of the class. We work to encourage the horse to know what to do with his feet when he's worried...that's the key! When you're worried, step your hindquarters over and step forward. Those that have been in the class have watched me and Kris work the horses at the fence... Kris on one side of the fence with the lead rope, and me inside the arena with the horse. I flag his hindquarters over, and help him step forward... being VERY careful not to get the flag in the horse's face and push him backward. There are a lot of things going on during the tying process...

> For the horse--1) The horse feels the end of the lead rope2) step the hind over3) step forward and put slack back in the rope
> For the flagger--1) Push the flag toward his rear and help the hindquarters step over2) As soon as he steps over, encourage him forward a step... with any foot3) Back away IMMEDIATELY when the horse prepares to step forward4) Flag the hindquarters over again, the other way
> Things to look forEach time the horse changes eyes on the flagger, he's gaining confidence. You're looking for him to change eyes without worrying or getting tight.

> You're looking for the horse to get evenly supple on each side as he finds the end of the lead rope, bends, and steps the hindquarters over.
> Once the horse really understands what to do with his feet when he feels the end of the lead rope, or when he's worried... he should never pull back. There's no need for drama or dust.
> There is so much going on all at once... it's much easier to talk you through it in person with a horse, than it is to try and explain it on the e-mail.If you can make it to a Young Horse Class, you'd get first-hand experience at it and see the results unmistakably. After we've worked the colts with the flag, we'll wrap the lead rope over the rail twice, and they'll stay relaxed as long as we need them to without pulling the rope... it's a beautiful thing to see.
> We did an article on Tying in the July, 2007 issue of "America's Horse" magazine. If you happen to have that magazine, it shows photos of what we're looking for and has more info.

whisperingwindfarms

I'm saving my money to go to the Young Horse Handling Clinic in 2011. Anyone want to go with me??

Hertha

Sure, if you can save enough money to fly me over from NZ and put me up and pay for the clinic for me and then send me home again.

alexwein

whisperingwindfarms

Everyone I've spoken to has said that clinic absolutely taught them more than any other clinic. I can't wait!

bit

I'd sure like to go, for sure! Gunner and I will be hitting his three day clinic in August, and I can't wait!!!

thelmanelle

I love to go to one of his young horse clinics. Especially about the tying issue. This is one I have with Summer. She will about kill herself not to be tied. I have been told it comes from being a racing horse. I really don't know. It is a guarantee of a vet bill. But, I can lay the rope across my arm or a fence, etc., just not wrap it.

She did years of racing and then, the 3 day eventing, so the fact that she stands despite it all is good. I can live with that. But, to tie her is to trap her. She is 16 y.o. now. I did do a clinic where we used a tractor inner tube and tied her to a tree over night and every time I was not using her. But, I several folks available to attend to her immediately if things went south.

We have few trees that aren't ornamental where she is now.

alexwein

Well, I AM going to a YH clinic in 2011. It will be a pretty big sacrifice for us, but my hubbie is so supportive of me. I got the last slot in the latter March clinic, but I think there are two more in the earlier one.

After working with Brent this spring, I just feel compelled to do this clinic. I know it will make me wish I could go back and do things over with Dakota, because in essence, she was one of those young horses, virtually untouched, when I got her. I'll see all of the things I could have done differently!

But I can also bring home so much to offer her now. And to myself. I've also signed up for two local clinics with Brent in Sept. and next April. I only wish I could study with him more during this formative time for Dakota in her early training. His way of doing things is different and lovely to watch and be part of. I want to learn much more about how to work with horses with 'feel.'

Laurie Archbold

Hi Folks,
I just got back from Brents clinic. WOW!! I agree its the best clinic I've been too. Not only is Brent compasionate for the horse he really keeps an eye on the riders as well. I haven't been to a clinic where the scale for the horse and rider are equal. He is the real deal! I took my green mare that I had worked with alot when she was younger. Hoping that what we had worked on was still there I took her. A huge jump for my confidence and I can only thank Brent and Reva(horse). I guess I help in preparing her too and she remembered quite a bit

I rode Reva 5 GOOD times

with Brents guidance.
Since I have one more chance to put the icing on the cake with Reva I'm heading out tomorrow to Wisconsin to ride her more in the foundation class. I'm bring my older mare for the afternoon class which is a bit too difficult for Reva yet

I'm gonna be busy

I can't wait to learn more!! It will be the same clinic I just went to but it will still be different as there will be MORE PROGRESS made again

Its almost hard explain how I feel. Like Tom Dorrence said, You can't explain feel but you can experience it

I believe this has finally happened on a deeper scale and now to keep it and shine it up.

I still have stuff to do to get ready, but just wanted to chime in on a great clinic with Brent and Kris too

take care and I'll let you know next week how it went.

Laurie

alexwein

I'm very envious that you get to do all these clinics with Brent. And Kris didn't come to ours, so you are doubly fortunate!!

Please say hi to Brent from Alex from Ashland (Dakota's 'mom,' from the Gold Hill clinic). He will be helping me do the same with Dakota, who he helped me start, and who is still very green. Can't wait till Sept to get a lot of new ideas on taking her to the next stage!

Enjoy!!!

Laurie Archbold

Alex I sure will give him a hello for you

Hey September really isn't that far away either

. Also in September Buck Brannaman will be close by and I think I'm going to audit. I have a girlfriend riding in his clinic too.
Whew, I think I have everything done for tomorrow.

I'll be getting back Tuesday now as I found a place to lay over on the way back. I sure will be nice to do that as I'm sure I'll be tired and am glad I can break the trip up. Its a free overnight stay too

Have a great weekend

Laurie

alexwein

Interesting, because Buck B is going to be in Redmond and I'm thinking of auditing his clinic in August! Not sure if I already mentioned that. Such great folks to learn from, eh?

Have a safe trip home!

Alex

cheerios

Tying (IMO) is one thing where you really need to take the time to do it right in the beginning.

If the horse does have issues being tied, these can often be very hard to overcome.

The horse Really needs to understand how to lead and what the pressure on the rope means before you even think about tying.

The last few that I've taught to tie, I've waited until we had done quite a bit of ground work before we started working on standing tied. They understood how to lead and how to give to the pressure of the rope.

Then one day, I just started tying them up. No problems. Only for a few minutes at a time at the beginning. They try the rope a bit at the beginning, but usually feel the pressure and step up. Click/treat. They figure out pretty fast that life is good if they keep slack in the rope.

Also though, I work on standing still for extended periods of time (grooming, etc.) and other self control type work before we start tying. And I don't introduce anything scary or new while they are tied, or use tying to make them stand so I can do something aversive.

Hertha

Mary Wrote:

thelmanelle

Thanks, Mary.
I am sure from working with a lot of rescues and a variety of ages and breeds, you get a lot of issues that show up. That was a great post. Thanks again.

Laurie Archbold

Good Morning,
I'm back from the clinic in Wisconsin. Good to be home sad its over

Alex I did tell Brent you said hello.

Well this clinic was the icing on the cake and road Reva in the morning class

I guess its not just me because everyone likes this little mare and how she improved every day

Of course I saw that all the horses improved but it was nice that folks came up to me and said it.
I'm already looking forward to next year and will be saving my dollars for it.
Next year my goal is to have Reva in the advancing class and ride another young mare in the foundation class.

Gosh I have alot of catching up to do at home since I've been horsing around for awhile. LOL
Just wanted to check.

Laurie