How to Safely Teach Your Horse to Crosstie

It is easy to forget that most OTTBs were not taught to crosstie at the track. Since this can be a very scary form of restraint for any horse, I follow a strict plan of slow and steady when teaching a horse how to stand quietly without panicking in crossties. Whenever you get a new horse, you should NEVER assume they already know about crossties....always take it easy and don't rush your new horse.

I follow 6 basic principles:

• Teach the horse to ground tie first
• Teach and test a horse about halter pressure before putting on crossties
• Baling twine, baling twine, baling twine - attach it to the crossties and the halter
• Introduce crossties in a space with at least 3 walls (i.e. grooming/wash stall)
• Begin with lead ropes that are draped
• NEVER EVER EVER leave ANY horse unattended in any kind of tied situation

There are some supplies you should have on hand when teaching your horse to crosstie:

• Horse (duh)
• Halter
• TWO lead ropes
• Set of cross ties with quick release snaps
• LOTS of baling twine
• Scissors or knife to cut the twine
• Yummy treats

Supplies - horse not show ;-)

Quick release snap attached by baling twine