Pulling back when tied is a particularly troublesome behavior that some horses perform when tied to a single fixed object, such as a tie ring or the outside of a trailer, or when tied to two fixed points such as cross ties. If you have a horse that pulls back when tied, here’s what to do (and not do!) to manage this particular problem.
Do: Understand why it happens.
Most horses that pull back when tied are genuinely frightened. They fear restraint and panic when equipment used to tie them triggers feelings of restriction. Frightened animals naturally try to escape the source of their fear. When a horse feels the restraint and tries to escape, the restriction “fights back,” so to speak, as the pressure on the halter increases dramatically. This often results in horses thrashing violently. And, if the equipment breaks, the horse might flip over backward or fall. Once a horse has learned that pulling back helps them escape their fear, they are more likely to do so in the future.
Don’t: Run or rush toward a horse that is pulling back.
Horses pulling back are extremely dangerous to be around. In their fearful panic, they will likely not be aware of you. You could be seriously injured as they thrash, if they launch forward, or if the equipment breaks. Additionally, do not yell or make sudden or loud noises. Doing so might worsen the horse’s fear and reactions.
Do: Confirm if a horse can be tied without pulling back before tying them.
Only tie horses to suitable tie points—never fence rails, round pen panels, or other such items that could come loose if a horse pulled back. Always tie horses with quick-release knots, and use quick-release buckles or “panic snaps” on the end of crossties.
Do: Have a tool to cut the tie.
Consider carrying a folding or sheathed knife when working around horses, ideally a serrated one designed to cut rope easily. Learn how to properly use the knife in advance of emergency situations, so you are familiar with its use in a crisis. This allows you to give your full attention to the emergency at hand.
Do: Be emergency prepared.
Plan, evaluate, and respond. Plan, in advance, how to respond in this type of emergency. If your horse pulls back, remain calm, and evaluate the scene so you can respond as safely as possible. When you respond, do not put yourself in harm’s way. Remain visible to the horse, and only untie the quick release when and if it is safe to do so. Human safety should remain the top priority in any horse-human emergency.
Do: Help your horse calm down.
Immediately after a pull-back episode, contain the horse somewhere safe and quiet. Allow them time to decompress. Once a horse’s sympathetic nervous system (the flight or fight response) has been triggered, it takes time for them to “come back down” to a calm state. Shortly after pulling back, their nervous system will still be sensitized, making them more reactive and likely to be easily startled or frightened by other things.
Do: Consider sympathetic retraining to retrain the horse that pulls back when tied.
Equine behavior professionals recommend two sympathetic retraining approaches for the horse that pulls back when tied: systematic desensitization and counterconditioning. Even after retraining, these horses should not generally be tied “hard” ever again. Instead, use devices such as a Blocker Tie Ring or Equi-Ping Safety Ring. Horses known to pull back should also have signage on their stall indicating alternate ways to restrain them, such as supervised ground tying.
Don’t: Use training techniques that involve flooding.
This would involve tying the horse to something immobile, such as a tree or overhead “patience pole” or rigging a rope around the body so it constricts when a horse pulls back. Not only are such practices extremely dangerous, but they can also injure or kill horses and greatly worsen the problem.
Take-Home Message
When dealing with a horse that pulls back when tied, it’s crucial that you stay calm, respond properly, and keep yourself safe. Understanding why a horse performs this behavior and taking steps to retrain and prevent pulling back in the future can help both you and your horse avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Related Reading:
- Understanding the Basics of Horse Horses Learn
- Smart Strategies for Handling Anxious Horses
- How to Tie a Quick-Release Knot
Lauren Fraser, MSc, FFCP, has helped people understand horse behavior problems since 2006. With a background working as a horse trainer, an MSc in clinical animal behavior, and more than a decade working as an equine behavior consultant, Lauren’s approach gets to the heart of why horses behave the way they do and addresses issues using low-stress methods. Lauren also guest lectures at universities, presents at conferences, and creates educational programs for horse owners and equine professionals.
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