Wednesday, June 17, 2009

HOW To Lay Down On The Job

So in conjunction with my other post I figured I should share with you the HOW TO of laying as horse down. OK, here are the things you'll need... A Western saddle, a rope halter and leadrope and a lariat or soft rope. Now on to how...
  1. Saddle them up in a WESTERN SADDLE and their rope halter. Also you can tie the stirrups up over the saddle so your horse does not get it's hooves through them.
  2. Have your horse step one of their feet through the loop of the lariat, for example we'll use the left leg. Then cinch it up around the fetlock area of their leg. HENCE why you should a soft rope or lariat.
  3. Have your horse lift up it's left leg as if the hoof is going to touch the cinch and put the rope around the horn so it works as a pully system and you can hold their leg up. Do NOT wrap the rope or tie it to the horn, at first your horse may pull and get confused so you want to be able to quickly release the rope and let their leg down if your horse panics.
  4. OK, with their left leg in the air, take your lead rope around the horn from the RIGHT SIDE and again use the horn for leverage. Slowly pull your horse's head to the right and they will slowly go down. They may sniff the ground or "BOW" first. Every time your horse does, STOP, RELEASE and PRAISE them.
  5. Add a little bit more pull onto the halter after they figure out the "BOW" part and they will slowly lay down. Release the pressure on the leg rope and while still holding their head, get down by them and LOVE them ALL OVER!!!!!!! Let them know how awesome they are. Then let them get up and love them some more!!!!!

That's it... it should be smooth and relaxed. My horse at first tried to fight it a bit, but I kept at it and after about 15 minutes she was down flat. This is something that even though it's NEAT it should never be down more than a couple times a week at the very MOST!!!! Have fun and send me PICS!!!!!!!

5 comments:

The Crossroads said...

I thought that was the method, it's affective and gentle in the same breath. Plus it gives them the option of a scapegoat with frustration or uncertainty.

Here's my Munchkin (3 years old) laying down. She kinna flopped last time, so she's not too crazy about going down again ;)

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/JackBwr/Horses/107_1712.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/JackBwr/Horses/Image2-14.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/JackBwr/Horses/Image3-15.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/JackBwr/Horses/Image5-14.jpg

Still can't figure for the life of me why the lead is all the way out where it's at. *shrug*

Embodied Spirit said...

Thanks for that. I was actually going to ask how to do it. Unfortunately no western saddle so I'll just pass on making her lay down and just creep into her field while shes sleeping instead!

Cait said...

Hey! Sorry that this is totally unrelated, but I've been following Acacia's blog too, and I thought you'd like to hear about this effort: http://mustangu.blogspot.com/

Mustang U sounds like a fantastic resource for both mustangs, especially three-strikes mustangs, and people who want to learn about them. I don't know anyone responsible for this dream-coming-true, but I want to help spread the word. :) Hope you don't mind that I immediately thought of you!

ponykins said...

There is a much easier way to lay them down than that, and you don't have to worry about ruining your saddle in the process.

However, I wanted to add one suggestion if you use the method here. When you lift the leg with the rope, DO NOT pull the leg up to the elbow. This will cause the horse to bow down on it's knee cap, which is painful. Instead, lift the leg until the cannon bone is parallel with the ground ( a 90 degree bend in the knee ). This way the horse will bow down on it's cannon bone, which is much more comfortable than bowing on it's knee cap. Always used leg protection for extra padding and always work where the footing is soft. If you cause your horse pain, he will not want to lay down for you.

Lucy Priory said...

Endospink does it better, safer and with no ropes.

Not sure posting how to lay a horse down with ropes on the internet is a brilliant idea