How to Pull a Stump With Horses

You may not need to clear the brush from your 40-acre plot, but some horse owners and trainers like to train their horses to drag and pull things for both practical and personal reasons. Some horse competitions require horses to drag an object and some horse trainers claim it helps build hind-end strength. Still others just want to know their horses can perform the task should the need ever arise. Regardless of the reason, approach this job with patience -- and with safety in mind.

Things You'll Need

  • Lunge line
  • Long, sturdy rope
  • Lariat
  • Roping or ranch saddle with breast collar and back cinch
  • Branch or log stump
  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Desensitize your horse by rubbing the rope all over its body. This includes its back, withers, stomach, head, hindquarters and legs. Once your horse is completely comfortable with that -- meaning it stands perfectly still while you are doing it -- loosely loop the rope around its barrel, legs, hooves, neck and tail.

    • 2

      Attach the rope to the saddle horn and let the rope drag on the ground. Now attach a lunge line to the horse's halter or bridle, and lunge the horse with the rope dragging on the ground. According to trainer Stacey McAlexander of 2-2 Horses in Austin, Texas, this helps the horse get used to dragging the rope.

    • 3

      Lunge the horse with the rope around its hindquarters. Keep the rope above the hocks. When the horse accepts the feel of the rope on its hindquarters while lunging at a walk, trot and canter, start applying pressure to the rope, then pull the rope up under the tail. This likely will cause some anxiety in your horse, so be ready. Release the pressure as soon as your horse calms down.

    • 4
      Always be ready for your horse to react violently to any pressure from the rope.

      Switch to a lariat rope and repeat the entire process. You want the horse to calmly accept the rope pressure anywhere on its body.

    • 5
      Start by dragging a smaller object, such as a small log.

      Attach a light object to the end of the lariat, and wrap the lariat lightly around the saddle horn or hold the rope in your hands. Once your horse is okay with dragging this object, gradually use heavier and heavier objects. Do not tie the rope around your saddle horn; just wrap -- or "dally" it -- so you can pull up quickly and release it should you need to.

    • 6
      Use a working or roping saddle to pull a stump with your horse.

      Tie your lariat to a stump. Stumps come in various weights. Choose one that won't be too difficult for the horse and won't put too much force on your saddle. According to McAlexander, this is where your working ranch saddle or roping saddle come in. The breast collar and back cinch will help keep the saddle in place.