I just started working with a new yearling. He was gelded about a month ago, is very intelligent and friendly. We have just mastered standing still on the line and I can pick up all his feet and he is very respectful of my space.
I wanted to start tying him up, I just wanted to know the best way to start?
If he knows how to give to pressure ie. You pull on the rope and he steps forward. Just tie him at wither height to something solid and leave him he may fight a bit but just leave him til he stands quietly then untie him. Ensure that there is nothing around that he can hurt himself on and be prepared to let him loose if he has a total meltdown. Make sure that the rope is not tied too low or he can do damage to his neck.
Agreed with above. Also, I would highly recommend tying to an old car tire, this will have some give but will not break.. Just do a slip knot around the tire, and fix the tire to strong post.
I don't 'tie solid' to anything until at least 6 months, maybe more if they haven't proven to me that they're really ok with tying. I toss the lead over the fence rail or around a post, but I don't tie. I'll hold the free end with my hand or just do 2 loops around something, but leave it so it will come loose if he pulls back really hard. Ideally, you can do it with 2 people, 1 just holds the rope and puts pressure on until he gives and then make sure he gets a big release when he does. This makes the tying lesson progress really fast. Once they're used to that I use a blocker tie ring pretty much from then on whenever I can. It makes tying no fuss, no fight.
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