teach a horse to lay down??

homebrue · 03-12-2008, 11:23 PM

ok, you may have noticed , things pop into my head and i just run with them

but i have wondered for a while. how do you teach a horse to lay down and sit??

there would have to be a simple technique. does any one know??

palomino_grl · 03-13-2008, 05:49 AM

I am no expert, but I believe you start by teaching them to "take a bow" down on one knee and move on from there. I bet you could do a Google search on it!

HorseDork · 03-13-2008, 07:58 AM

the way i taught my pony to lay down was first you teach them to bow. then figure out what our signal is going to be for lay down. get them all sweaty (or clean

) (lunge, roundpen, ride, whatever) and then take them somewhere you KNOW they will lay down to roll (shavings, dirt, a stream). ask them to bow and then use the new signal for lay down. eventually theyll start to get it.

it takes a while, but it doesn't use force and i dont have one of those cool trick training books yet. good luck!

homebrue · 03-13-2008, 03:27 PM

ok, sounds good, but just one thing.... how do you get them to bow?? what is your method.?? im allways up for a new challenge.. My poor horses.!!

sherriawright · 03-13-2008, 03:30 PM

I always told my gelding to bow and then would put my hand by his knee with a treat in it.

homebrue · 03-13-2008, 03:36 PM

duh!! god, you really just need to THINK huh?? obvious, ok, going out the the paddock armed with carrots. lotsa carrots..

before i do, what command (hate that word) do you use.??

homebrue · 03-13-2008, 03:37 PM

think and read.... you use the word bow huh?? geeze having a blonde day, sorry

NicelyPaintedAcres · 03-13-2008, 05:34 PM

I went to the Horse World Expo in PA a year ago. Tommy Turvey ("trick trainer") was there. He teaches his horses to lay down by first teaching them to bow and then progresses to the lay down. However, he uses hobbles to initiate the whole thing. See if you can't google him... he's not shy about sharing his techniques!

whstables · 03-13-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homebrue

ok, you may have noticed , things pop into my head and i just run with them

but i have wondered for a while. how do you teach a horse to lay down and sit??

there would have to be a simple technique. does any one know??

sounds good to me

i have always wanted to do that with my horse i will keep up with this post

HighHorse · 03-13-2008, 07:03 PM

I am currently in the bowing stage. and yes, I use bow as the signal word for him. Istill have to use a treat, but he has gotten where he goes all the way down in the front end like he's supposed to . Now its just a matter of getting him to recognize the signal word and respond correctly

homebrue · 03-13-2008, 07:05 PM

ok, so i really hope some IDIOT googles "how to teach your horse to lay down"
this is the first "advice" i got. is anyone else HORRIFIED??

First take the end of your rope that has the loop hole and thread the other end threw it so it can tighten around your horses footlock.
Make sure your gloves are on.
Throw the rope over the horses back and pull to the side you are on.
Next pull your horses foot up and pull the slack out of your rope.
Put pressure on the rope until your horse bows down and when he does pull really hard until he or she lays down.
Then sit on his or her shoulder and pet their neck slowly and tell them what a good boy or girl they are.
If your horse doesn't lay down with in 1 hour then buck them out. Do this by putting a rope around their flank and let them buck until they come to you. When they do repeat the steps again.

?? terrible.
but i did find somethign that was much more usefull (if anyone is also a bit adventagous like myself)

http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/down1.shtml

mind you i have not had a chance to read it all yet (client comming in ANY minute) but had to share the HORRIBLE one with you all.

Dusty's girl · 03-13-2008, 07:12 PM

That first one you found is an old cowboy method, I've heard it before from some of the old time horse people I have met. In fact I think if you saw the movie "The Horse Whisperer", that method is the one they used to get the horse, Pilgrim to lay down. Not my chosen method.

BarnBum · 03-13-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherriawright

I always told my gelding to bow and then would put my hand by his knee with a treat in it.

My g/f taught her mare how to bow with a carrot. She just kept lowering her hand and ended up with it between the horses front legs.

HighHorse · 03-13-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's girl

That first one you found is an old cowboy method, I've heard it before from some of the old time horse people I have met. In fact I think if you saw the movie "The Horse Whisperer", that method is the one they used to get the horse, Pilgrim to lay down. Not my chosen method.

I agree. Its much easir to get an animal or (or human for that matter) to do what you want them to do, if it also happens to be something they enjoy doing. Positive reinforcement has its place and trick training is certainly a good time to use it. Getting a horse to think he's just playing is the secret to having a successful trick horse IMO.

homebrue · 03-13-2008, 07:20 PM

sounds a little brutal to me, my main motivation is a challenge to getting my horse to trust me further.. she loves to learn and i just love that look that they get when they "get it"!!
"oh, that's what your talking about"...
i am going to work on the bowing thing for now, but would love to hear from others that have done this, or are now inspired to try it.
so, get ready for the boring updates of "my horse is doing so well" or " what the hell am i doing wrong"
and then the final pic of .... yayeeee look what we did... "together" not bucking her out!!

HighHorse · 03-13-2008, 07:35 PM

I will *try* to get a video of where we are in this particular trick. The little horse treats work great. You don't want it to be a meal, just a niblet for incentive.

Mav2007 · 03-13-2008, 08:28 PM

stacy westfall has a video available for purchase that teaches how to bow. It's available on her website for $20 + shipping.

pauldonnelly · 03-14-2008, 08:40 AM

My horses are easy to get to lay down just spend 2-3 hours cleaning and brushing them. and getting them all bright and shiney then turn them loose in a muddy or dusty pasture and poof they lay right down and roll roll roll roll

homebrue · 03-14-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldonnelly

My horses are easy to get to lay down just spend 2-3 hours cleaning and brushing them. and getting them all bright and shiney then turn them loose in a muddy or dusty pasture and poof they lay right down and roll roll roll roll

wow, never thought of it that way, my horse is grey, so EVERY TIME i wash her i am training her to lay down. and on top of that ... i have "specifically" trained her to find the only muddy/ dusty bit in the paddock..

just an update. tried to teach the bowing thing, brue was really good about it. but afterwards just kinda looked like

the hell are you doing to me??
she was very confused.. and so was i .. and the other horses were like

.
guess i'll keep researching, and ps. i am much too cheap to buy a video!! so if any one knows of any good "free' like on youtube video, that would be great!

how is every one else going ? anyone else making their horses all like

homebrue · 03-14-2008, 05:42 PM

sorry about the multiple posts. but i found this on youtube
i am allway horrified at people. i guess its not technically cruel. but??
well let me know what you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpbAwZW088Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_T9Bg3028A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voRuDiS1Rs0

found more if your intersted.
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search_ type=

this is a bit more like it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no68vnch2ho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ0ym...eature=related

ok so im thinking that i am not up for this, it seems like lotsa ropes at the begining of training. and i do NOT like ropes.
dont know really looks a little forcefull for something that should be co operative me thinks

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03-12-2008, 11:23 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	teach a horse to lay down?? ok, you may have noticed , things pop into my head and i just run with them but i have wondered for a while. how do you teach a horse to lay down and sit?? there would have to be a simple technique. does any one know??

03-13-2008, 05:49 AM
palomino_grl Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 592	Hmm... I am no expert, but I believe you start by teaching them to "take a bow" down on one knee and move on from there. I bet you could do a Google search on it!

03-13-2008, 07:58 AM
HorseDork Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 619	the way i taught my pony to lay down was first you teach them to bow. then figure out what our signal is going to be for lay down. get them all sweaty (or clean ) (lunge, roundpen, ride, whatever) and then take them somewhere you KNOW they will lay down to roll (shavings, dirt, a stream). ask them to bow and then use the new signal for lay down. eventually theyll start to get it. it takes a while, but it doesn't use force and i dont have one of those cool trick training books yet. good luck! __________________ loves~hopes~dreams~horses

03-13-2008, 03:27 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	ok, sounds good, but just one thing.... how do you get them to bow?? what is your method.?? im allways up for a new challenge.. My poor horses.!!

03-13-2008, 03:30 PM
sherriawright Yearling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pekin, Illinois Posts: 740	I always told my gelding to bow and then would put my hand by his knee with a treat in it. __________________ Anyone who talks about me behind my back, is in a perfect position to kiss my a$$!

03-13-2008, 03:36 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	duh!! god, you really just need to THINK huh?? obvious, ok, going out the the paddock armed with carrots. lotsa carrots.. before i do, what command (hate that word) do you use.??

03-13-2008, 03:37 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	think and read.... you use the word bow huh?? geeze having a blonde day, sorry

03-13-2008, 05:34 PM
NicelyPaintedAcres Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Newport, NC Posts: 114	I went to the Horse World Expo in PA a year ago. Tommy Turvey ("trick trainer") was there. He teaches his horses to lay down by first teaching them to bow and then progresses to the lay down. However, he uses hobbles to initiate the whole thing. See if you can't google him... he's not shy about sharing his techniques! __________________ Ashley Nicely Painted Acres On the sixth day, God created the Quarter Horse. On the seventh day, He painted the good ones!

03-13-2008, 07:03 PM
HighHorse Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 3,069	I am currently in the bowing stage. and yes, I use bow as the signal word for him. Istill have to use a treat, but he has gotten where he goes all the way down in the front end like he's supposed to . Now its just a matter of getting him to recognize the signal word and respond correctly

03-13-2008, 07:05 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	ok, so i really hope some IDIOT googles "how to teach your horse to lay down" this is the first "advice" i got. is anyone else HORRIFIED?? First take the end of your rope that has the loop hole and thread the other end threw it so it can tighten around your horses footlock. Make sure your gloves are on. Throw the rope over the horses back and pull to the side you are on. Next pull your horses foot up and pull the slack out of your rope. Put pressure on the rope until your horse bows down and when he does pull really hard until he or she lays down. Then sit on his or her shoulder and pet their neck slowly and tell them what a good boy or girl they are. If your horse doesn't lay down with in 1 hour then buck them out. Do this by putting a rope around their flank and let them buck until they come to you. When they do repeat the steps again. ?? terrible. but i did find somethign that was much more usefull (if anyone is also a bit adventagous like myself) http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/down1.shtml mind you i have not had a chance to read it all yet (client comming in ANY minute) but had to share the HORRIBLE one with you all.

03-13-2008, 07:12 PM
Dusty's girl Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 274	That first one you found is an old cowboy method, I've heard it before from some of the old time horse people I have met. In fact I think if you saw the movie "The Horse Whisperer", that method is the one they used to get the horse, Pilgrim to lay down. Not my chosen method. __________________ All I pay my psychiatrist is the cost of feed and hay, and he\'ll listen to me any day. ~Author Unknown

03-13-2008, 07:20 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	sounds a little brutal to me, my main motivation is a challenge to getting my horse to trust me further.. she loves to learn and i just love that look that they get when they "get it"!! "oh, that's what your talking about"... i am going to work on the bowing thing for now, but would love to hear from others that have done this, or are now inspired to try it. so, get ready for the boring updates of "my horse is doing so well" or " what the hell am i doing wrong" and then the final pic of .... yayeeee look what we did... "together" not bucking her out!!

03-13-2008, 07:35 PM
HighHorse Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 3,069	I will try to get a video of where we are in this particular trick. The little horse treats work great. You don't want it to be a meal, just a niblet for incentive.

03-13-2008, 08:28 PM
Mav2007 Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,004	stacy westfall has a video available for purchase that teaches how to bow. It's available on her website for $20 + shipping. __________________

03-14-2008, 08:40 AM
pauldonnelly Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Noble oklahoma Posts: 661	My horses are easy to get to lay down just spend 2-3 hours cleaning and brushing them. and getting them all bright and shiney then turn them loose in a muddy or dusty pasture and poof they lay right down and roll roll roll roll __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

03-14-2008, 05:42 PM
homebrue Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 328	sorry about the multiple posts. but i found this on youtube i am allway horrified at people. i guess its not technically cruel. but?? well let me know what you think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpbAwZW088Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_T9Bg3028A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voRuDiS1Rs0 found more if your intersted. http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search_ type= this is a bit more like it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no68vnch2ho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ0ym...eature=related ok so im thinking that i am not up for this, it seems like lotsa ropes at the begining of training. and i do NOT like ropes. dont know really looks a little forcefull for something that should be co operative me thinks