For many years, horses were typically started under saddle at three or four years old. However, this has changed, with many horses now being started at seven years or older. These older horses are often bigger, stronger, and more intelligent than the younger ones commonly started today. Working primarily alone, I had to develop methods to handle these older horses, many of whom were quite intelligent and strong-willed. The following technique was successful for me in teaching them to lie down.
An example is an older stallion, pictured here, who was a son of the renowned Zan Parr Bar. Zan was considerably older than usual when I began training him. Despite his age, he had already sired some impressive offspring, and his owner was understandably against gelding him. Zan went on to become an excellent demonstration horse, and I was honored to have worked with him.
Essential Tack and Preparation
To begin this training, gather the following equipment: a soft towel or rag, a breeding hobble, a halter with a soft lead rope, a long lariat or mecate rope, and an old saddle or a surcingle cinched over a blanket. It is crucial to move the horse to a pen with deep sand or soft ground to ensure safety during the process.
Step-by-Step Training Method
Step One: Secure the hobble to the long rope and place it around the horse’s left front leg.
Step Two: Run the long rope under the horse’s belly, through the stirrup on the opposite side, over the fender, and then up and over the saddle seat. This setup prevents rope burns on the horse and creates a mechanical pulley system that reduces strain on your back.
Begin the training by using the rope to lift the horse’s leg. The initial goal is to get the horse accustomed to having its leg lifted. Once the leg is raised, gently ask the horse to back up. As the horse backs up, its front end will naturally lower, resembling a bow. Release the pressure and allow the horse to return to its standing position. Repeat this step multiple times.
Continue this process until the horse consistently drops its left knee or leg to the ground. It’s common for the horse to tire at this point and lower its head between its front legs or rest it on the extended leg. This is where the technique becomes more nuanced. Once the horse can maintain a lowered front end, use your body to gently push it over. The horse will essentially fall onto its side, but at this stage, it doesn’t yet understand the complete action of lying down.
Refining the Cue and Encouraging Submission
After the horse consistently lies down with the assistance of the long rope and lead (approximately 25-30 repetitions), begin to reduce the pressure of your cues. Remove the saddle, rope, and hobble. Start by asking the horse to lift its leg using a hand cue to the leg, followed by a gentle backing cue with the lead rope, similar to the previous steps. Offer ample praise, encouragement, and use verbal cues throughout. This phase of learning should require about another 15-20 repetitions of lying down.
Now, further decrease the human’s physical input. Select a specific pressure point on the horse and employ your verbal cues, as demonstrated in the photo where I chose to pinch the withers. By this stage, the horse should exhibit less struggle to get back up. The objective is to make lying down a comfortable and positive experience for the horse.
The horse pictured, Cutter, eventually learned to lie down on a verbal command even from a distance, such as over a fence. During a colt-breaking semester I taught at OPSU, Cutter demonstrated this skill by allowing a guest from France to mount him while he was lying down. Despite the language barrier, the French guest’s surprised expression conveyed a universal message when Cutter stood up with her aboard, shaking off the arena sand.
Important Tips for Success
- Patience is Key: Remember that horses naturally rise front-end first. Asking them to do the opposite requires patience. As the horse learns to lie down with subtle cues rather than force, it will begin to lie down more naturally. This indicates you are progressing correctly.
- Optimal Conditions: Soft, cool ground and a tired horse can encourage lying down during initial training sessions. Horses may also instinctively paw the ground before lying down, an action sometimes referred to as “hunting snakes.”
- Safety First: Be mindful of the horse’s feet during training, as they may scramble or kick, especially in the early stages. Ensure you are not positioned where the horse could roll onto you.
- Avoid Force: Be cautious not to be overly demanding or forceful with the horse. When the horse is down, ensure it is a positive experience; otherwise, you risk becoming perceived as a threat. This method is one of several techniques for teaching this trick.
Until we meet again, may the good Lord bless you, your family, and your livestock. Always remember: “There’s one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge.” This applies even to a horse that understands French.
God bless,
Pat
Published September 2011 Issue
