What do you think of hobbles?

Question

Have you ever used them? If so why and how? I am using them at the moment on a young horse that wont stand still and was just wondering about other peoples thoughts

Answer 1

hahaha... sorry can't help but laugh at the first answer... loving your horse more isn't going to keep it from pawing.

Hobbles are just another tool in my trunk. They are just like any other training device (draw reins, whips, etc.) when used properly they can be a very effective aid.

I use hobbles on my young horses mostly when I'm teaching them to stand tied. This is a skill that they must learn, and they must be able to stand tied quietly whenever I'm not at their side. And I've found that most of them will stand quietly until you leave and then they begin to paw, rear, jump, etc. So the hobbles are a great tool at this point because they correct the horse without you having to be close to it. Horses are smarter than you think... they usually figure it out pretty quick... hmmm... this pawing thing is rather hard and too much work.... I guess I'll just stand here!

Needing to use hobbles reflects nothing on the horses past training or "bonding" with you. It shows that your horse is a horse and that's what horses do! But a horse does need a good base training before hobbles can be used. The horse must learn how to give to pressure (not just halter pressure), to help it understand what the hobbles are doing. But if used correctly, hobbles can solve a pawing problem in a very short time with little effort!

Answer 2

Ah hobbles.... well a horse has to be trained at one point or another right. If you are considering the hobbles approach make sure you know how to properly use them. If not you have major problems. Then for the first time of hobbling your horse do it on soft ground with his legs wrapped. You don't want him to hurt himself because that does the opposite in your training.

But i have found most horses are much easier trained without hobbles but just with patient, consistent work. In order for a horse to stand in cross ties this horse must stand without them. Correct? so simply put a lead rope on your horse and then tell him "stand" If he stands for a Short period of time give him a pat. If not calmly grab the lead rope back him up to where you started and again say stand. Repeat this very often until you get to a point when he stand for a long period of time with you watching, then move to step 2. You not looking.

Do the same thing except turn around Repeat as you did before. Lastly move to a place were he cant see you but you either can see him or hear him. Repeat as you have previously done.

If this does not work you should then resort to hobbles. Make sure you are doing this all in a enclosed area!

Good Luck! I wish fun and healthy years with you young one!

Answer 3

Not a big fan... have used them on a horse once... hated em never used em again... they do a job... if u need that job done i think you can use them... but if its just because ure horse wont stand still... its a bit of a cop out... considering there are a tonn of other things to try...
- less "hot" feed
- patience game
- put down two fences and walk him thru and make him stand there...as he cant go side ways he will have to stand still... just make sure he doesnt charge thru u...
- try have a bit in his mouth... he may be more responsive to your asking him to stand still
- try clicker training him to stand... give the command move a step away.. etc... click and reward
- try lunging him and expelling some of his enerfy before you try to make him stand still if he's a young bloke he may just be wanting you play and aggrivate you...
well hope it helps... my opinion... hobbles are bad... all the best, young horses are the best... no one has runined them yet

Answer 4

I use them heavily. I do different types of hobbling on my guys but I stress THEY ARE TRAINED TO HOBBLE, FIRST AND FOREMOST.

My reasons for using them are turning them out to graze and no fencing on the area. For those, I tie their heads down to one front leg. They can move around slowly, but cannot run.

Another one is a 3 legged hobble that I use at shows to get them room to graze but not room to be too mobile. All my guys can run *fairly well* with a 2 legged hobble, so I hobble one back leg also.

I never use the 2 legged hobble solely, either their head is tied to their front legs so they can graze or a 3rd hobble is used.

I don't do alot of training with the mules, mine typically handle having their legs restrained by the time they are ready for hobble training. I haven't had a blow up yet. However for horses, its a different story. Horse DO need more training to hobbles than mules do.

THey are training aids, you can use them for a persistent pawing horse etc. Hobbles are not cruel, my guys love when the hobbles come out, it means they are going to go get to graze when they are normall dry lotted. I can turn all 4 of mine out in the field, pull up a chair, and sit there with no worries.

Answer 5

Hi,
Yes I have used them but please use the soft sheep skin covered ones first, then use the leather ones.
I would really just take more time and just tie your horse for short periods and then for longer periods of time. Use a good halter and you might even try one that works on the pole like a rope made one instead of a leather in which he will break easier. Also tie a slip knot in case he gets caught up in the process. You also should watch Craig Cameron on his training shows. I would not totally rely on the hobbles until your horse is well broke when you are out in the field camping and riding.
Hope this Helps!
TC Circle C Ranch

Answer 6

hobbles are no more cruel to a horse than putting that steel thing in his mouth and making him move on or loading a big heavy saddle on him and thightening it up around his barrel...poor horsey...and the shoes...nailing steel bars to the horseys feet...CRUEL...face it people...what we do to our horses is all against nature, but we do it don't we. So the hobbles come in handy for different things..I personally use them when I am camping and want to let horsey graze. The horse actually enjoys the time on the pasture. I don't use them to make him stand still...in fact they learn very quickly that they can move even with the hobbles.

Answer 7

Hobbles are great tools when used properly they are not inhumane or cruel they are great for when your trail riding and you cant tie a horse to a tree and you want to eat lunch if you're going to use them learn how first so you and your horse dont get hurt

Answer 8

Cowboys orginally created hobbles to keep the horses from running away from camp. There are very humane hobbles and they are not a cruel thing to use on your horse.

Answer 9

They are a useful training tool when used properly.
They are not cruel, but often misunderstood.
Any well broke horse will stand in hobbles.
We have used them for mountain camping and field trialing with good results.
They are particularly useful for allowing horses to graze in unfenced areas without staking them out or tying them (which is often not permitted) in national parks or other environmentally sensitive places.
We also use them with youngsters to teach them patience when tied.

Answer 10

yes i have used them....while riding long distances...while i had lunch or in the evening before i tied up for the night.....they will not make a horse stand still unless you are putting them on wrong. a horse that has used them for awile learns to move slowly in ordere to graze and a frightened horse can really move he just hops with his front legs. i think they are a good tool if you use them for what they were intended. but you need to get your horse use to them and realize that they will not keep you horse in one spot for hours..