| Your horse won't stand still in the cross ties or when | | | | four square, it is like he is standing in box, balanced and |
| tied to the trailer at the horse show. He moves from | | | | parked. Being square means that the front feet are |
| side to side, back and forth and paws frantically | | | | straight to each other and the hind feet are straight to |
| damaging his hooves, shoes and stable floor. Instead | | | | each other. As you work on correcting your horse's |
| of being able to enjoy some quiet bonding time with | | | | straightness, you may find that he starts to find square |
| him, you rush through the grooming and saddling | | | | on his own. If not, you can encourage him to stand |
| routine. The following 8 tips will help you resolve this | | | | squarely by asking him to take a step backwards or |
| common horse training problem. You can help your | | | | forwards. For backwards, push on the front of the |
| horse to be relaxed, quiet and enjoy his time while he | | | | shoulder of the leg you want him to move. To |
| is tied. | | | | encourage him to step forwards, tap his flank gently. |
| 1. Focus on relieving the underlying cause rather than | | | | You may have to ask for back and forth several |
| the behaviour itself. As flight animals, horses are | | | | times before your horse finds square. |
| stressed when their ability to flee is compromised. The | | | | 7. Be level headed. A relaxed horse stands with his |
| behaviour your horse is exhibiting on the cross ties is | | | | neck level so that the poll is the same height as |
| simply an expression of the anxiety he is feeling. In | | | | withers. You can encourage your horse to bring his |
| order the change the behaviour, you need to address | | | | head down and his neck to level by using gently |
| his anxiety and help him feel comfortable about being | | | | moving his head laterally (side to side) with slight |
| tied. | | | | downward pressure. This is called "flexing". Make sure |
| 2. Commit to taking the time and doing the work to | | | | you are not being forceful by pulling or pushing on the |
| help your horse. Training takes time and consistency. | | | | head. Think of this more like a rhythmic massage |
| You cannot achieve behavioural change by rushing or | | | | loosening his poll. You can do this with your hands on |
| being impatient. Set up time specifically to work with | | | | the halter as you stand in front of your horse (one |
| your horse on this issue. | | | | hand on either side of the halter at the point where the |
| 3. Change his frame of body to change his frame of | | | | cheek piece connects with the nose band) or by |
| mind. Horses who are busy when tied have an | | | | cupping the bridge of his nose in one hand as you |
| unbalanced frame - scissored legs, high head, inverted | | | | stand to the side of him. If you horse tries to raise his |
| back. This frame keeps adrenaline pumping into the | | | | head or turn it left or right, use your hand or hands in |
| blood stream keeping his stress and anxiety level and, | | | | the same place to block his effort. Remember that |
| therefore his need to move, high. Your horse needs | | | | you are not forcing your horse into this posture, but |
| you to show him that he can stand straight, square | | | | are encouraging him to stay there long enough to |
| and level. | | | | realize how good it feels. |
| 4. Help him find balance. Your horse simply will not be | | | | 8. Avoid being at the end of your rope. Whether you |
| able to stand still until he finds balance. Balance comes | | | | are using cross ties or a single tie, ensure the tie is long |
| from straightness, being square and having a level | | | | enough to allow horse to comfortably lower his head |
| neck. Your job then is to keep correcting his position | | | | and bring his neck to level without creating tightness on |
| until he finds that balance and keeps it on his own. | | | | the tie. With a single tie, make sure he has enough |
| 5. Straightness comes first. Having straightness means | | | | room to avoid having his face jammed into the wall or |
| that the horse's spine is in alignment from nose to tail. | | | | side of the trailer. With cross ties, encourage your |
| He will find & feel this straightness when the left | | | | horse to stand so that the cheek pieces of the halter |
| hind lines up directly behind the left fore and the right | | | | are lined up with the posts the cross ties are attached |
| hind lines up directly behind the right fore. Ask your | | | | to. Always attach the cross ties to the lowest ring on |
| horse to stand straight by pushing the appropriate hip | | | | the cheek piece as this allows more freedom to bring |
| or shoulder into alignment. As soon as your horse | | | | the head down. |
| moves away from your push, stop pushing. You will | | | | This training process will take some time, but is well |
| have to move from side to side while keeping contact | | | | worth the effort. Both you and your horse will benefit |
| with the halter or head. As you move around his head, | | | | as you will be able to enjoy the grooming and saddling |
| bend your near hip away from his head. | | | | time together and have quiet time to rest and relax |
| 6. Be four Square. When a horse's feet are scissored, | | | | between classes at the horse shows. |
| he is mentally prepared for flight. When the feet are | | | | |