How to Train a Horse to Stake Out

If you have a horse and a lawn you probably have wished you could have your equine companion double as a heavy-duty lawn mower. But that is not as easy as it sounds. Simply turning your horse loose in an unfenced yard is just asking for trouble, and staking out your horse can be just as dangerous. In order to be able to stake your horse in the backyard safely, you will need to do some training first.

Things You'll Need

  • Hobbles
  • Halter and lead rope
  • Longe line
  • Longe whip
  • Plastic bag
  • Heavy duty lawn stake
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Instructions

  1. Teaching Your Horse to Stake Out

    • 1

      Begin by teaching your horse not to panic when the movement of his feet is impeded. Horses evolved as prey animals, and the flight instinct is still quite strong, even after centuries of domestication. If the rope your horse is staked out with becomes wrapped around his feet, his first reaction may be to panic, and that panic could cause a serious injury.

      Start by placing hobbles on your horse's front feet. This will allow him to move around while at the same time restricting his range of motion. The hobbles will also teach the horse that not being able to move his feet freely is no cause for alarm. Always remain with your horse when the hobbles are in place--never leave him alone.

    • 2

      Desensitize your horse to things that may scare him when he is staked out in the yard. Something as simple as a plastic bag blowing by could cause him to panic, so use a plastic bag tied to the end of a longe whip to desensitize him. Slowly bring the plastic bag up to your horse, rewarding him when he stands his ground and does not react. Rub the plastic bag all over his body to get him used to the sensation.

    • 3

      Rub your horse's legs and feet with the plastic bag as well. Throw the whip and the bag at your horse's feet and reward him when he does not display a fear reaction. The more you can desensitize your horse to things touching his body and his feet the safer he will be staked out in the yard.

    • 4

      Take a soft cotton lead rope or longe line and slowly wrap it around your horse's feet while he is standing in an enclosed area. Wrap the lead rope around your horse's foot and apply steady pressure--the same kind of pressure he would experience if he got the rope tangled around his feet. Watch for any signs of a fear reaction and continue the process until he stands calmly even when his feet are restricted.