Re: RC: Re: Re: Pulling Back

[DVeritas@aol.com]

Yeah Heidi,
     Couldn't agree more that most horses are better off untied (ground-tied) 
for "procedures, i.e., injections, deworming and we have the best success 
introducing electric clippers who are not tied, (as long as the person doing 
the clipping is gentle, has the time to invest in doing it right the FIRST 
time, and allowing the horse a step away, then a "gentle" request to RETURN 
TO THE ORIGINAL SPOT BEFORE THE CLIPPING IS CONTINUED.  
    It may sound a bit "anal," but "returning" the horse to the original 
spot, without being brutish, just reinforces that there was nothing to step 
away from in the first place. 
    This simple procedure will translate (in a short time, too) into a horse 
who will tie and not pull back.
    One doesn't even have to be "performing" a "procedure," one could just 
ask a horse to stand in a spot, while the handler just stands there quietly 
with no tension on the lead rope.  The moment the horse moves a front hoof, 
the handler should then quietly ask the horse to return that front hoof to 
the original spot and then reward with quiet tones and gentle touches.
    Eventually, even the most fractious off horses will learn to tie quietly 
('cause there's no reason to move from the "comfort" of the original spot).
    And, at first when tied after employing this simple procedure, when the 
horse "senses" that he/she is tied, they WILL RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL SPOT 
WHERE THERE WAS NO 'PRESSURE' IN THE FIRST PLACE.
    This works, but takes an investment on the part of the handler, but if 
one doesn't have the time to do gentle and correctly.....
    Luck,
      Frank.


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