Ground tying is a valuable skill to teach your horse.
It is a technique that can benefit both the horse and the owner. Ground tying is a way of training a horse to stand still in one spot without being tied up or held by anyone.
In this article, I’ll discuss how ground tying can benefit your horse, how to train your horse to ground tie, and tips to ensure that the training is successful.
There are several benefits to teaching your horse to ground tie.
First, it helps your horse learn to stand still and be disciplined, which can be useful in many situations.
For instance, when grooming or tacking up your horse, ground tying can allow you to do these tasks without having to hold the horse or tie her up.
Second, ground tying can help your horse learn to be patient and calm, which can be helpful in other areas of training.
A horse that knows how to stand still and wait is usually easier to train in other areas.
Third, ground tying can be helpful if you ever need to get off your horse quickly.
By knowing how to ground tie, you can simply drop the lead rope or reins and the horse will stay put while you attend to the situation.
When training your horse to ground tie, it is important to start with a long rope.
A lunge line works well so that you can still hold the end of the rope while the horse is learning.
Having a long rope allows you to correct your horse if she moves off.
To start the training, drop the rope on the ground and give your horse a cue, such as a little pull down on the rope or a word like “stay.”
Also consider your tone and body language when you communicate.
If your horse moves off, gently correct her and put her back in the original spot.
Then, move away from your horse a few feet and see if she stays put. If she moves, correct and put her back in the original spot.
It is important to be consistent in your training and to be picky about where you want your horse to stand.
If you allow your horse to take a few steps forward, she may continue to move forward until she’s out of the barn or away from you.
Start with short periods of time and gradually increase the time you expect your horse to stand still.
Some tips for successful ground tying.
- Be consistent – train your horse regularly and be consistent in your expectations. And always ask for the same behaviour the same way, this is like using a specific word when asking someone to do something – if you want them to sit, you won’t say “stand” today and “run” tomorrow and “lie down” the day after that.
- Use a long rope – this allows you to still have control over your horse while she’s learning.
- Start small – begin with short periods of time and gradually increase the time you expect your horse to stand still. Don’t ask for too much at first, start with a few minutes and work up from there. Consistent daily practise is better than training once a week.
- Be picky – insist that your horse stand still exactly where you asked her to. This will prevent her from taking a few steps forward and potentially running off. You don’t have to micromanage your horse, but you should demand she stand in the spot you’ve designated. She’s allowed to adjust her position for comfort and observe the world around her, but she shouldn’t move off from the spot.
- Correct gently – correct your horse gently at first, but gradually increase the strength of your correction if necessary. Remember, consider tone of voice, the kind of eye signals and body language you use.
- Practice in different locations – once your horse has mastered ground tying in one location, practice in different locations to ensure that it understands the concept. Gradually increase the challenge by adding more activity happening around your horse, so that she learns to be calm and look to your leadership in any situation.
Ground tying is an incredibly useful skill to have in horses.
Learning to remain calm and be patient is a critical skill for your horse to survive in a world designed for humans. With consistent training and patience, you can teach your horse to ground tie successfully.
