Laying your horse down?

Question

Have you done it and what were the reasons that you did?

Would you do it if needed again?


I have seen it done 3'xs. 2 were great results, the other was a moron that had no business touching horses.

I am all for it for the correct reasons, but not to bypass proper training.

Just wanted to hear others ideas.

Nooooo not flipping, you rope a front leg, bring it up to the saddle horn and lay the horse down.

its a gentling technique and have seen it used on one animal that must of been badly twitched. She refused to let you touch her nose and would blow beyond all reason to the point she was dangerous to handle when you reached for her head to halter etc.

She was laid down and desensitized to her nose. This poor thing was so scared to have her nose touched, she squealed and screamed and actually peed herself. So it definately was something traumatic in her past

Instantly afterwards, she could be haltered and touched all over with no lasting effects from her past. It was extremely impressive. I know this mule personally, my friend owns her and it fixed it instantly. She has no fear.

Fancy, lol, saved an animal didn't it :)

Answer 1

It beats putting a healthy animal down for good because no one can handle it. I live in the midwest, and it is all too common to hear on the news about small herds abandoned, with no food, and maybe just some dirty water. Many are past saving. We have had ones that have been so abused that unless radical means are taken, they will be put down. For everyone that thinks this is cruel, I wonder how much livestock are you feeding that you are not able to enjoy and pose a danger to themselves and other animals.

Answer 2

Yes, I have. And yes, I would do it again if i felt it would serve it's purpose.
I have laid horses that had rearing problems down and sat and had discussions with them. It was 100% cure rate.

I have known trainers that would tarp their horses for training purposes which is laying them down and then covering them with a heavy tarp...I don't believe that is a good idea, especially if they are left for a long time or in the heat. A trainer in CA that I knew did that to a stud colt that was non-conforming and gave it brain damage.

It is a procedure taken very seriously and used only for extreme reasons and should only be done by professional trainers who know what they are doing and what they are trying to accomplish.

Hope this helps....

Answer 3

Yes it is normal. Horses will lay down when they feel relaxed. Mine loves to have a lay down in the sun after breakfast in the colder months. Younger horses tend to lie down more.

Answer 4

I try not to do it as a "gentling" thing - people get upset by it. Although I do think it occasionally works in that sense. I do a lot of reenactment events however, and it makes for a cool demonstration.

Too many people misinterpret it nowadays, so it is strictly a demonstration thing for me.

To the person who said that its not done except maybe on wild horses - haven't met one yet that needed that. And I've met a lot of wild horses.

Answer 5

I've only seen it done on TV or online example videos. I've also read about it. It looks like it can be an amazing tool in the right hands, and a horribly cruel one in the hands of the inexperienced or the just plain stupid/mean.

I would very much like to see it done in person by someone who knows what they're doing.

Answer 6

Are you talking about purposefully flipping a horse that rears?

Ok, we're on the same page now lol.
I have not tried that myself nor have seen it done in person. I've heard about it (mostly from "old timers") and they swore by it in certain instances.....mostly with the most rank horses. I would find it interesting to see it for myself. I generally don't oppose anything that works lol

Answer 7

i've seen western pleasure horses trained this way... actually once they're down the trainer covers them with a tarp like another poster mentioned. it "breaks their spirit" and puts that slow, easy wp gait on a horse that normally wouldnt be a western pleasure horse. then, said horse is sold as "child broke, bomb proof, anyone can ride" it's a way for less than professional trainers to get big bucks for less than professional quality horses. i'm much for the natural horse trained correctly.. but a lot of "horse people" are just in it for the money

Answer 8

I have done it with some of my horses that had too much attitude and considered us equals. Laying those particular ones down lets them know I am the boss and he knows he is in his most vulnerable position so we build trust he was vulnerable and I didnt hurt him in his mind that makes me safe.
I dont think its for most horses and I dont think anyone should do it if they dont have alot of experience with horses


Edit: Fancy it isnt mean and when done properly under the right circumstances is a great tool at a trainers disposal, People say its mean to use hobbles, (which you can also use to lay a horse dowm) Its easy to say something is mean, it I guess is harder to see why it isnt. Ever get a piece of old rusted barbed wire caught on a horses leg on a trail? wouldnt it be nice if she came to a dead stop and waited for you to remove what was bothering her leg instead of fighting it and kicking at it? Thats one use for hobbles
Same goes for laying Down, whether its showing who is boss, desensatizing, or just teaching your horse to roll over on que. Its not making the horse do anything harmful (horses roll around in the dust all of the time) It really is a trust builder and a very natural way to do it.

Answer 9

Have you been reading COTH too? LOL...

I don't oppose it...I think it can definitely be a useful tool for some horses.

Answer 10

Yes, I have had to do it 4 times. I learned it from my mother. It does work wonders.