Toss Those Cross Ties!

Lauren Davis Baker

You’ve heard it before: “Control the feet, control the horse.” But do you use it in your day-to-day horse handling?

If you’re like me, you’re generally satisfied if your horse is moderately cooperative most of the time. As a matter of fact, you’re in too big of a hurry to sweat the small stuff. Riding time is in short supply and you want to make the most of it.

Enter Rebecca Wirth, who believes the time you spend on the ground with your horse sets the tone for the rest of your relationship. “Good ground work will improve your under saddle work,” Rebecca says. And, paying attention to your horse’s behavior on the ground will make you a better owner.

This month, we’ll focus on your horse’s feet: how he uses them, what they tell us, and how influencing the feet influences the horse. You’ll learn a simple (but not easy) exercise that will make a big difference in your horse’s behavior. And, by improving your observation skills, you’ll begin to see how your ground work can improve your under saddle efforts.

A Quick Test: Who’s in Charge?
For today, let’s throw out those cross ties. They’re quick, easy, and convenient—but a band-aid for a horse who won’t stand quietly for his owner.

Let’s put your horse to the test. How he responds will tell you who’s the Head Horse in your herd. Instead of reaching for a cross-tie, put on your horse’s halter, hold his lead near the end of the rope, and tell him to stand. What happens?

We’d like Bucky to stand quietly, all four feet squarely beneath him, as if an imaginary rectangle has been drawn around him. When his feet are squarely beneath him, your horse is in full compliance, waiting for you to give him his next set of instructions. Just as in our under saddle work, we want the horse to be balanced, attentive, and listening.

Most likely, Bucky is shuffling his feet, stepping from side to side and visiting with his neighbors. Or, he may be headed out the door, looking for a grazing option. If your horse is in an unbalanced position (or on the move), he’s failing to accept your leadership. If that’s the case, let’s talk about what to do next.

Step by Step Instructions

First, Bucky is not allowed to charge past you, or any handler, at any time. If Bucky walks out of the rectangle into your personal space, ask him to back and straighten until he’s returned to the rectangle. Do not circle him back into position.

Make your instructions calm, quiet, and firm, encouraging Bucky to be calm and quiet as well. Rebecca uses a quick, deep,
“Ah-ah” sound to let the horse know when he’s made a mistake. She’s also lightening quick with her corrections and as firm as needed. (Remember, as little as possible, as much as is necessary.) Tell Bucky when he’s good and stop the corrections.
If Bucky throws his haunches to the side, use your voice and whip to gently position him back into the rectangle. He’ll probably over-react and swing his haunches too far to the other side. If he throws his shoulders away or into you, respond the same way. Let him know it’s not o.k. to step backwards, forwards, or side-to-side without permission. As you work, fine-tune your requests until your horse gives you one correct step at a time, eventually waiting for your direction/permission to move.

Expect to spend some time getting him “just right” in the rectangle and praise his honest attempts, to help him know when he’s on the right track. Bucky’s head needs to stay in the rectangle as well, pointed front and center.

“If your horse keeps his feet still but starts to lean, warn him,” Rebecca says. “He’ll think you’re reading his mind.”

Once Bucky’s standing quietly in the rectangle, it’s pretty certain he’ll find an “excuse” to move out of it. Unless he’s in mortal danger, don’t fall for it. Repeat and ask him to return to the rectangle.

When you think Bucky’s got the basics, try moving to his off side—the rules still apply. You should be able to move 360-degrees around Bucky and have him stand quietly. That’s your goal.

If Bucky’s like most horses, he’ll have a preferred position in the barn aisle—and everywhere else. My own horse, Nick, likes to throw his shoulders to the left, haunches to the right—under saddle, in the barn, and on the trailer ramp. To Nick’s dismay, our ground work is bearing a striking similarity to our under saddle work—emphasizing straightness at all times. Think of how beneficial it is to both of us, to tie these lessons together!

When Things Go Wrong

It’s highly likely that Bucky knows what a tap from a whip means. If he’s a submissive guy, he’ll step over and wait for further instruction. If, however, Bucky’s been living by his own rules, it will take more time and effort to convince him that you are, indeed, the dominant horse in the herd.
So, let’s say Bucky fails to respond when you tap him with the whip. You tap again and repeat your voice command. If Bucky continues to blow you off, increase the intensity of the tap by a smidge and the voice command. You may not whomp on Bucky’s side with the whip, even though you know he knows that you know what a tap on the whip means. You’ll gain more with your horse by increasing your intensity in increments than you will be going from zero to 50 in 60 seconds.

When you’re ready to lose your temper with Bucky, remember this: if he tricks you into a fight, he’s winning by getting out of work. It’s your job to stay cool, calm, and focused. You are going to outsmart Bucky by being exacting and tedious. (You can go punch a wall later.)

Let’s say you keep your temper, but Bucky pitches a fit. He kicks, flattens his ears, and/or tries to run out of the barn. Take heart! As Rebecca says, “Most horses get worse right before they get better.” And, “If he poops, that’s a good sign.” Your horse is thinking things through, getting ready to submit. Now is not the time to give up. So, stay safe if Bucky’s really acting up and resume the work without getting mad in return.

What’s the Point?

You may begin to think Bucky’s an idiot, because what you’re asking doesn’t seem difficult. But, consider this: by working with Bucky on a long lead rope, you’re asking him to think for himself.

Look at it this way: If you confined Bucky within a physical rectangle made of wood or steel, he wouldn’t have to think. He’d accept his confinement without learning a thing. But, by giving him an imaginary rectangle and a long rope, he has the choice of staying within the box or leaving it. He’s learning to accept the parameters you have chosen and making choices about complying with your instructions. When he chooses to submit in this way, it’s not just about the feet—he accepts with his body and mind, as well.

Bucky is probably used to you choking up on the lead rope, taking him to the cross-ties, and leaving him to fart around while you brush him and saddle him. Now that you’ve changed the rules and Bucky is undoubtedly confused. He may be afraid, asking you for guidance. Or, he may be a dominant horse who’s thinking, “I’m outta here!” Regardless, when you change the rules on your horse, you need to give him clear instructions and time to process them.

While the lesson seems simple, you may never have been this exacting with Bucky before. In fact, you’ve probably been accommodating him more than you realize. Bucky’s let you be in charge up to a point. The rectangle exercise asks your horse for a new level of submission. By controlling the exact placement of his feet, your horse is accepting your dominance and overcoming his fight or flight instincts—bringing us back to the adage: control the feet, control the horse. For the rider who wants to “ride all four corners of the horse” achieving such exactness on the ground can substantially improve the under saddle work.

Let Your Horse Choose to Submit

Allow your horse time to think through what he’s learning. His equine brain isn’t very big or very fast. Keep teaching and give him time to process. When you see him stopping to chew, lick his lips, or blink his eyes, you’ll know he’s submitting.

“Give him the opportunity to submit,” Rebecca says. “When your horse chooses to accept you as leader, you leave his sense of self intact.” In short, you get to be herd leader in a kind manner. No tricks. No fancy equipment or acts of violence. The sort of herd we’d all like to be part of.

This month’s homework: use the cross-ties only when absolutely necessary. Use your imaginary rectangle when you groom, tack up, and the next time your vet and farrier visit. They’ll appreciate your horse’s improved behavior as much as you do.
One more thing: expect your horse to regress from time to time. He can’t help it. Take a deep breath and remind him where his feet belong and he’ll bring his brain along with them. Your kindness and persistence will be rewarded—with a better horse.

Rebecca Wirth and her husband, Mike, live in Gresham, Oregon. She travels throughout the Portland/Vancouver area (and beyond) teaching individuals and making barn calls. She’s happy to help address training issues such as leading, bridling, tying, clipping, bathing, and trailering. She can be reached at (503) 663-5795. (For more information, visit www.flyingchanges.com and see the November 2006 article “Developing Good Ground Manners” and our April 2007 article “No Excuses Groundwork”.