Re: horse pulling back when tied

[Susan Evans Garlinghouse <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

spencer wrote:
> 
> My green broke 9 yo Arab mare still has days when she pulls back all the
> way on the halter when tied to solid post, etc.  Anyone have any ideas or
> experience to correct it so we don't look too uncivilized at the endurance
> rides?  If a pressure is placed on the lead rope or halter she pulls all
> the way to the end and this am managed to fall down in the process.
> Thanks.
> Mary Ann
> Zavalla, Tx

I have a horse that does that sometimes, the big dummy.  I use a solid
cord halter on him that 1) hurts to lean back against, and 2) won't
break and compound the problem.  I also use a tie rope I found at my
local store, it's like a big giant bungee cord.  In MY horse's case, he
sets back and fights if he feels an unforgiving jerk from a regular
rope, but the springy rope stops him without triggering a fight.  So
far, it's worked VERY well---the only thing is it's not so great for
just leading if the horse is feeling frisky, because then it's alot like
trying to reel in a tunafish with a rubber band.  Remeber as a kid those
paddleboards with a little rubber ball and a rubber band that you
bounced against a hand-held paddle?  Well, imagine me as the little
rubber ball and Cato as the paddle and you get a fair approximation of
me leading the big lunkhead.  But, for tying, it works great.

BTW, the bungee cord ties also work really well for teaching babies and
youngsters to tie without hurting them, once you get them to the point
of already knowing the concept of what a halter and rope is for.

Good luck!

Susan