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[RC] Some horses can't be tied - SpottedracerI used to believe it was all a matter of training as well.... Until another barn manager/owner called me with a horrible story:She had recently purchased two jump ponies for her schooling program. One was perfect, the other could be groomed/saddled/etc standing 'free' - but would freak out the second you tied her. Other than that, she was a PERFECT large jump pony. Out came the farrier, who also trains roping horses. He's an older trainer, with LOTS of experience. The barn owner mentioned her problem - and he believed that the pony had learned it could 'break ropes' and get out of what it didn't want to do. So after he shod it, he tied it with a heavy halter and lead - and told her to let it fight until it gave up. Well, he reset 10 other mounts, and the pony was lathered and STILL fighting. Finally, it stood with it's head down and quit fighting. Then it starting heaving, shaking, it's eyes rolled back - and as the barn owner was untying it to 'walk it out' - it collapsed. It was almost dead by the time the vet arrived (20 min. from call). The vet said it was in severe shock and have probably either had a stroke or heart attack due to extreme fear (flight response).... Pony was humanely euthanized.. As trainers - both myself and the roping training farrier - learned a hard lesson. Neither of us had ever heard/seen a horse dying due to it's flight instinct being instigated by being tied... But it obviously can happen.. - LP
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