Pulling Back When Tied
February 20, 2012
How do you break a horse from pulling back from tied? Find out how from AQHA Professional Horsewoman and Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor Tara Reimer.
Question:
Do you have any suggestions on how to break a horse from yanking back when tied? My mare is a calm horse, but when I put her in a halter and tie her to a trailer, phone pole, etc., she just starts yanking until either the ring, halter or lead rope breaks. She hasn’t tried it once in the trailer when she’s tied. I am guessing that it is a fear thing, but I would like to hear the best way of getting rid of this dangerous behavior, as I don’t want her or anyone else to get hurt.
Answer:
Thank you for your question. I have experienced the same behavior from a few different horses that we bought as mature horses. From my experience, this pulling back can be fear or it can be an “I can so I will” reaction.
You need to evaluate the horse’s body language and eyes to determine why your horse is reacting this way. If your horse becomes nervous, exhibited by prancing, looking for a way out, white and look of fear in the eyes, then this is likely a fear issue. With this type of horse, we have found some coping mechanisms that both the horse and handler are comfortable with. We always use a rope halter with lead rope attached with a knot or braid so the pressure points discourage pulling. As well, there are no weak spots to break.
We will tie the fearful horse on a longer lead. Tie at wither or higher height and just long enough for the horse’s nose to touch the ground. Never tie to an object that can break away or that has sharp or pointed areas to injure a lunging horse. When tying to a trailer, always ensure that it is properly hooked to a vehicle. Tie the horse in areas where he does not feel claustrophobic. A trailer is closed in, but it also offers security because it is closed in on all sides. A standing stall closes the horse in, yet allows a back way out. This is a hard place to tie a fearful horse. If you must, as we do at shows, be sure to place a bum rope or chain with rubber securely behind the horse. We also use a bungie tie strap with a panic snap as a second tie from the halter to the ring. When doing this, allow the bungie to create pressure before the lead rope (bungie shorter than lead). If possible, rather keep the horse in a box stall.
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Try to work with your horse where he feels less fearful, i.e. outside at hitching rail vs. cross tied in barn. If what you are tying to is secure enough, and you use a rope halter with attached lead and your horse pulls back, let him. It is unlikely that he will get loose.
One of our horses is claustrophobic. When he is tied securely as above at our outdoor hitching rail, something will set him off and he will pull. In the two years of owning him, he has improved. I believe that because we have kept him out of harm, he does try to reason the impulsive fear away. He looks fearful, but he chooses to not pull sometimes. When introducing potentially fearful objects or situations to a fearful horse, don’t tie the horse, but rather hold the lead. Establish trust with the horse.
Another option is the Blocker Tie Ring II or The Clip. Use either one between your lead rope and the halter. We have used these at times.
Use common sense when working around horses. Put yourself in your horse’s place and try to avoid instances that create fear for a horse such as yours. Treat him kindly and reassure him often. This only works if you consistently treat the horse kindly so he respects you and looks to you for comfort in all situations. I am the type that you can walk up behind and easily scare, so I am very empathetic to fearful horses!
– AQHA Professional Horsewoman Tara Reimer
Certified Horsemanship Association Clinic Instructor and Regional Director
Comments
10 Comments on “Pulling Back When Tied”
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February 20th, 2012 at 9:01 am
All horses are born claustrophobic! That is their innate behavior as a prey animal. They dont want to be trapped. You must build confidience in all horses so that they are assured of safety, especially when left tied to an object. When you leave them tied, they either feel vounerable or you have taught them to feel secure in their safety to stand next to an object like a trailer. Until they build confidence & respect for what you ask of them you will continue to have this issue. May I point out, author stated having a horse for two years, which had improved… but still became fearful.
In the wild, horses cannot leave themselves exposed to danger….if your horse is tied to a large object ie a trailer, he cannot escape danger. He feels exposed to danger, and doesnt trust that as his leader, you are capable of protecting him.
Just want to add perspective to your response….
Tabitha Kelley
February 20th, 2012 at 9:27 am
I totally disagree w/ the “bungie Cord” to tie up horses. Bungie’s are dangerous and really should not be used. I know from experience that a bungie cord becomes a sling shot when they break or give way and in my opinion should NEVER be used to secure a horse. I like teaching our horses to “Hobble”. This helps them w/ not wanting to fly backwards because their legs are not free to do so. And then there are some horses that never stand tied regardless of what you teach them….!!
February 20th, 2012 at 9:37 am
There was also no mention of making sure the rope halter is put on correctly. If it is not tied correctly, once a horse pulls back, you will NOT be able to UN-tie it–you will need to cut it off. The horse needs his confidence built up, and he needs to know that he is supposed to stand still. Desensitizing would be a good place to start. Also, using a roundpen to help teach him that standing still is a better option(because you can make him work in there, and make standing still the easier option for him). Even moving him around a bit before asking him to stand tied could help, suppose he has some excess energy built up? I would be willing to bet that he might also have issues with stopping or pulling back when leading.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:42 am
I agree with TC, on the bungie cords. they have actually made some of my “cause I can” horses worse. I find that a small tractor tire inner tube is best, along with the rope halter because they can never break it and eventually will stop the behavior.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:44 am
I like the tire inner tube idea! If you have a good sturdy one you just need one, if they are weaker use two. Get a nice strong halter and baler twine from round bales. You wrap the first section of twine around the tube to a post about 5-6 time if you have a hard puller more. And then the same to their halter. Tie it at wither height or higher and when the sit their lead the inner tubes stretch to pressure and then pulls them back in close. They soon realize to 1.they get nowhere and 2.to give into pressure and it is released. I had a QH gelding that would really throw himself into it, he had had a bad history and would randomly spook and this cured him after two times of trying to sit! I had to use two halters on him because he was a big horse and could really put his weight into it but I had a nice strong tractor tire inner tube that worked great!! I also agree bungees are not good, I’ve seen the trailer tie ones break on people and cause some damage with the buckles!
February 20th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Only responding because I had a very similar situation and went thru a number of halters and ropes, not to mention a loose horse. This issue was totally fixed, and I mean totally fixed, in one afternoon using Clinton Anderson’s Aussie tie ring and the accompanying DVD that deals with this very subject. I got this out of desperation when I saw him on RFTV a few years ago. Now it’s been over 4 years since that afternoon of training and not a SINGLE incidence since. Basically the tie ring allows the horse to pull back but allows the lead rope to slide thru but with some resistance. With that, you tie up your horse then progressively desensitize them. Check that option out. We just bought another green horse 3 weeks ago that was pulling back. Did the same training with her and now 2 weeks later, she is standing quiet.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
I’ve used that Tie blocker ring and I like it. I’ve also used a broom on their back side too. (won’t hurt them but it surprises them and they jump forward and stop laying back…) I’ve used the inner tube method and that worked for our weanlings/yrlings. Its best to start them young standing tied, it’s soooo much easier.
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
I’ve had several horses with this problem. Mine have had it as a learned behavior, most have not had the best training and are a bit common which is why they are here for training, probably started as fear and once they broke the halter or rope once or twice found out they were stronger. I always tie with rope halter and lead combinations. I trick a John Lyons trainer taught me was to put the lead around behind their ears and give it a sharp jerk. The horse will startle and pull back, then hop forward after 2 or 3 times. That way they are reminded to go into pressure rather than back. Or when I tie it’s to a telephone pole a bit less than wither height. You’ll see them say OWWW when they pull back with that rope halter on and they immediately come forward. A few times and they’ll still try it occasionally but not with the gusto they had before. The inner tube is good with young horses. But with the older horses who are doing it on purpose and planning it I just tie to a solid object.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:23 am
I have a coming 9 y.o. of mare that I’ve had since she was 4 months old. I’ve never had a problem with her pulling til this past fall. The last three times I’ve ridden her I’ve tied her in the same place that I’ve always tied her and the last three times I’ve ridden her she has pulled so hard that once snapped the lead rope, once it pulled loose and the 3rd time I got her to calm down enough to go forward enough to unlatch the lead from her halter. She has always been kind of a flighty horse more so when not ridden regularly but never has she pulled while being tied. I found The Leader Bungee Horse Lead Rope on the internet and thought it looked like a good idea until reading someone elses post about how dangerous it can be, which I see their point and thought about that also. I don’t want to have to use a tube etc. since sometimes I need to tie her to my trailer, or when trail riding to other things. Would using a rope halter be my best bet since it puts pressure on their pressure points?
June 12th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Deanne
After reading the comments above I felt that I should give one. I’ve raised all my quarter horses over the years. When I started my babies or weinlings I never tied them securely to start. I started them with a lead around the neck. Never lead them strait on. That teaches them to pull back. Always give tention from side to side and when they move, if only 1 step, release the pressure. I do this every day until they know the pressure to come with you. Then I go to the Halter. Do the same thing with the lead on the halter. This comes easy now for the weinling. Now, when its time to teach the weinling to tie up, I put the lead thro a Ring tie and weave the rope around a couple of times so that when he pulls on it, it puts pressure on the halter. During this time I’m grooming her. When she stops I bring her back into same spot and start grooming again. This takes time and patients, but in the end it works. Never had any of my horse pull back.
Deanne