Teaching a horse to ground tie

I'm of the opinion one of the best things you can do for you and your horse is to teach them to ground tie. Two reasons I like to teach horses to ground tie is for convenience and safety. We have all been there, we are up on our horses and realize we dropped something or we forgot something in the barn or trailer. It may be you need to tend to another rider or adjust someone’s tack, whatever the situation it may require two hands and be in a location where there isn't enough room or be safe to have a horse around.

I should clarify what I mean by ground tying. For me ground tying is having your horse stand in one spot when a lead rope, or rein is on the ground or they have been told to stand. They should respond by not moving whether you are in the saddle, 10 feet away or out of sight. I include being in the saddle because sometimes you may drop a rein or lead and believe me stepping on a rein can be hard on your tack, your horses mouth and your body. Ground tying can also save you from a long walk back to the barn. If you accidentally come off your horse hopefully they will stop when he sees the reins on the ground.

Teaching them to ground tie is easy but requires persistence and commitment on your part.

Here's how I do it; I take a horse into a safe relatively confined area where they cannot run away, (a paddock or sand ring will work) with a lead and halter on. I drop the lead on the ground and say "stand" I then let go of the lead and take a step back. Your horse will usually follow you at this point this is when you grab the lead and back them up to where you asked them to stand and say "stand". Keep repeating if they take a step. When they do stand for a few seconds walk over and tell them what a good horse they are. Gradually increase the distance and time but make sure to correct them the second they take a step. Eventually you should be able to walk around them, pick up their feet and even walk out of their site.

Another easy way to teach them to ground tie in combination with the method I mentioned earlier is to have a lead rope attached to the halter while they are in the cross ties. They associate standing still in the cross ties with having a lead on the ground.

This is a very simple thing to teach but the convenience of not having to constantly hold or tie a horse is well worth it.