Fidgety in the cross ties

Martha89 · 02-09-2007, 09:23 PM

Hello. My new horse, a 12 yr. old QH cross gelding, is very quiet for the most part. What is driving me crazy is that when I put him in the cross ties to be groomed, he won't stand still! If I walk towards his head, he takes a few steps backward. If I move toward his hind end, he takes a few steps forward. So far he has been very cooperative in every other way. Why won't he stand still, and what, if anything, can I do about this?

SunnyKS · 02-09-2007, 09:38 PM

Maybe I'm being too simple here but how is he if you skip the cross ties and tie him with just one or just put the rope on the ground?

Maybe he just doesn't like not being able to watch what you are doing...

**taelesean** · 02-09-2007, 09:50 PM

He may associate the cross ties with less pleasant things, like getting his teath floated or shots and other scary stuff. Alot of places don't groom in crossties, they save those for the more difficult procedures.

Try tieing him to a ring or post when you groom him, or teach him to ground tie (stand still with the lead rope lieing loose on the ground)

Teaching a horse that knows how to lead to ground tie is very simple - put him someplace (like the barn aisle) drop the lead and take a few steps back. When he moves, put him back where he was. When he stands there for a few moments, praise him, and repeat. As he gets better, move furtheer away and wait longer till you praise him - but always be quick to put him back if moves, and always praise him when he stands.

JoAnne · 02-10-2007, 03:21 AM

if you have a friend that will help you, try having them hold the horse while he is cross tied, by a lead rope, perhaps a chain over his nose. if he moves while you are grooming him, they can gently correct him with the lead rope and say whoa, or stand. also if this person is talented, have them softly rub his muzzle, or his neck, when he is good and standing. try feeding him a few treats on the cross ties too, so he associates it with a happy place. hopefully after a few sessions your helper could step away, and then you can correct him instead.

Linda Tellington Jones has good books re her touch and rubbing on horses that makes them want to stand...who wouldn't, for a nice massage! good luck, have patience.

Mrs. Hazel pethig · 02-10-2007, 08:03 AM

Are you sure he knows "how" to crosstie? It maybe that he just doesn't know what he's suppose to do. Start with small periods of time making it a pleasant experience, then work up to longer and longer. If you're sure he's been crosstied in the past, then crosstie him and leave him to stand there. Keep a close eye on him, but let him learn on his own that he can stand there without moving around. Anytime you see him standing quietly, praise him.
My Mustang still squirms in the crossties while I'm grooming him. He's curious and wants to see what's going on. I keep on hand on him and put him back in place, then continue.

horses19201 · 02-10-2007, 10:08 AM

What type of floor is he standing on in the crossties? Lacey has never stood on concrete before she got to the barn so she fidgetsin the wash stall(concrete). But I can crosstie her on the shavings or groundtie her on shavings and she'll stand all day.

babycakes · 02-10-2007, 10:14 AM

You're going to laugh, but Lestat wouldn't stand on the cross ties. He knew how to cross tie but just wouldn't stand still. He would maneuver his body so that he could watch me brush him.

I couldn't figure out how to get him to just stand still. I switched the direction he was standing in and he was a perfect angel.

I guess he just didn't like standing the other way.

Nynx · 02-10-2007, 11:47 AM

I'd try to tie him to a post or a stall, something solid. Use a quick release knot of course. See if he still fidgets. He may not like cross ties. Or he may like to fidget. My horse Bond will stand tied to anything for ever and never even try to see if he can't get away. My other horse Skip constantly moves about when you groom him or tie him in general. He just likes to fidget and see if there is ANYTHING that he could possibly eat.

If he likes to fidget I don't know how to stop that. As long as he is not doing anything dangerous when he fidgets, such as biting or kicking, I think you can let that sort of behavior go although it is annoying...

A lot of horses have problems with cross ties, and personally I don't think they are the safest things in the world, especially with concrete flooring. Though I understand they are sometimes neccessary at shows ect.

02-09-2007, 09:23 PM
Martha89 Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 81	Fidgety in the cross ties Hello. My new horse, a 12 yr. old QH cross gelding, is very quiet for the most part. What is driving me crazy is that when I put him in the cross ties to be groomed, he won't stand still! If I walk towards his head, he takes a few steps backward. If I move toward his hind end, he takes a few steps forward. So far he has been very cooperative in every other way. Why won't he stand still, and what, if anything, can I do about this?

02-09-2007, 09:38 PM
SunnyKS Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,516	Maybe I'm being too simple here but how is he if you skip the cross ties and tie him with just one or just put the rope on the ground? Maybe he just doesn't like not being able to watch what you are doing...

02-09-2007, 09:50 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,756	He may associate the cross ties with less pleasant things, like getting his teath floated or shots and other scary stuff. Alot of places don't groom in crossties, they save those for the more difficult procedures. Try tieing him to a ring or post when you groom him, or teach him to ground tie (stand still with the lead rope lieing loose on the ground) Teaching a horse that knows how to lead to ground tie is very simple - put him someplace (like the barn aisle) drop the lead and take a few steps back. When he moves, put him back where he was. When he stands there for a few moments, praise him, and repeat. As he gets better, move furtheer away and wait longer till you praise him - but always be quick to put him back if moves, and always praise him when he stands. __________________

02-10-2007, 03:21 AM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	if you have a friend that will help you, try having them hold the horse while he is cross tied, by a lead rope, perhaps a chain over his nose. if he moves while you are grooming him, they can gently correct him with the lead rope and say whoa, or stand. also if this person is talented, have them softly rub his muzzle, or his neck, when he is good and standing. try feeding him a few treats on the cross ties too, so he associates it with a happy place. hopefully after a few sessions your helper could step away, and then you can correct him instead. Linda Tellington Jones has good books re her touch and rubbing on horses that makes them want to stand...who wouldn't, for a nice massage! good luck, have patience.

02-10-2007, 08:03 AM
Mrs. Hazel pethig Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 46	Are you sure he knows "how" to crosstie? It maybe that he just doesn't know what he's suppose to do. Start with small periods of time making it a pleasant experience, then work up to longer and longer. If you're sure he's been crosstied in the past, then crosstie him and leave him to stand there. Keep a close eye on him, but let him learn on his own that he can stand there without moving around. Anytime you see him standing quietly, praise him. My Mustang still squirms in the crossties while I'm grooming him. He's curious and wants to see what's going on. I keep on hand on him and put him back in place, then continue. __________________ Mrs. Hazel Pethig

02-10-2007, 10:08 AM
horses19201 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 681	What type of floor is he standing on in the crossties? Lacey has never stood on concrete before she got to the barn so she fidgetsin the wash stall(concrete). But I can crosstie her on the shavings or groundtie her on shavings and she'll stand all day. __________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup ~Maggie~

02-10-2007, 10:14 AM
babycakes Coming two Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,586	You're going to laugh, but Lestat wouldn't stand on the cross ties. He knew how to cross tie but just wouldn't stand still. He would maneuver his body so that he could watch me brush him. I couldn't figure out how to get him to just stand still. I switched the direction he was standing in and he was a perfect angel. I guess he just didn't like standing the other way. __________________ Jena <3

02-10-2007, 11:47 AM
Nynx Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 600	I'd try to tie him to a post or a stall, something solid. Use a quick release knot of course. See if he still fidgets. He may not like cross ties. Or he may like to fidget. My horse Bond will stand tied to anything for ever and never even try to see if he can't get away. My other horse Skip constantly moves about when you groom him or tie him in general. He just likes to fidget and see if there is ANYTHING that he could possibly eat. If he likes to fidget I don't know how to stop that. As long as he is not doing anything dangerous when he fidgets, such as biting or kicking, I think you can let that sort of behavior go although it is annoying... A lot of horses have problems with cross ties, and personally I don't think they are the safest things in the world, especially with concrete flooring. Though I understand they are sometimes neccessary at shows ect. __________________ ~:>