How to Teach a Weanling to Tie

Teaching a weanling to tie is the base for further training; leading, hauling, standing for fly spray, round penning, respect and riding. A weanling is referred to as young horse recently weaned from the mother. A humane method of horse training requires using the pressure and release method. This method requires pressure to be placed on a particular area of the weanling. Focus the pressure and release method on the weanling's head during tie training. The pressure is asking the horse to perform a specific command. Immediately remove the pressure once the weanling has responded with the correct answer. Pressure and release training takes time and practice.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Rope
  • Post
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on gloves to prevent rope burn.

    • 2

      Place an appropriately sized halter on the weanling. This provides safety and comfort during the training. It is recommended to halter train the weanling before attempting to tie train.

    • 3

      Attach a standard nylon lead rope to the halter.

    • 4

      Bond with the weanling by petting and caressing. This step should be continued until the weanling is calm and relaxed. Signs of a calm weanling are lowered heads, relaxed ears, eyes and full body muscles. This step may take days or weeks before completing.

    • 5

      Begin teaching the weanling to give with pressure. Place a rope or twine string around the weanling's head just under the top of the halter. Your hand will work fine as well. Apply a firm amount of downward pressure. The natural instinct for the weanling will be to raise the head. Continue applying pressure until the head drops. Reward the weanling by removing the pressure the instant the head drops. Continue this step until the weanling is consistently dropping the head once pressure is applied. This step may take days or weeks to achieve.

    • 6

      Practice the head dropping using pressure to the nose. After the training process, hand or rope pressure will be replaced with halter pressure. Asking for a head down using the halter and lead rope will apply pressure to the head and nose. If a weanling is not accustomed to nose pressure it may be startled and attempt to pull back. This step may up to several weeks to accomplish,

    • 7

      Ask the weanling to give the head. This teaches to horse to move the head vertically away from cheek pressure. When a weanling is tied, it may attempt to turn around and walk away. At this point, the halter will apply pressure to the cheek. It is essential to teach the weanling how to remove the pressure by turning its head in the other direction. Follow the instructions for teaching with pressure as before, replacing head pressure with cheek pressure. Teaching a weanling to give to cheek pressure will also assist in teaching the weanling to cross-tie. This could take several weeks to achieve.

    • 8

      Ask the weanling for forward motion by gently tugging on the lead rope in a forward motion. Continue tugging until the weanling's head moves forward. At this point, you are not asking the weanling to walk; the purpose is for the weanling to move the head and neck forward. Reward the weanling.

    • 9

      Stand near a fence post or tying location and gently wrap the lead rope around the post. Do not tie the weanling; firmly hold onto the lead rope. With adequate training, once the weanling attempts to walk away, the pressure from the halter will be a reminder to move away from the pressure. At this point, it is not uncommon for the weanling to prance around in different directions. The weanling is simply attempting to find a pressure free zone. If the weanling begins to panic, return to Step 4. It may be several weeks before achieving this goal.

    • 10

      Tie the weanling using a quick release knot. Keep tying periods short and remain at or near the location. Gradually increase the amount of time the weanling is tied.