To stop your horse from pulling back when tied requires a long cotton rope, a nylon halter, and a sturdy, well-secured snubbing post. The post should not break or give way when the horse sets back. Remember to tie in an area that has good, soft footing in case the horse falls. Place the nylon halter on the horse’s head. Take the long cotton rope and tie it around the horse’s belly just behind the shoulder. It is important that you tie the rope with a bowline knot. The bowline knot will not tighten up on the horse’s belly when it sets back. This site will teach you how to tie a bowline knot. You can also watch a video. If you don’t know how to tie a bowline knot, it is a good idea to practice before trying it on the horse. Once the knot is tied around the horse, run the rope between the horse’s front legs through the bottom part of the halter under the horse’s chin. Then tie the rope to the snubbing post with a quick-release knot with about 12 to 18 inches of slack, or just wrap the rope around the post twice and hold the end of the rope. Make sure the rope is long enough so that you can stand well away from the horse. This second method allows the rope to slide a bit, which can be less frightening for the horse. When the horse sets back, the pressure will not be on the horse’s head and neck but on his barrel. Once he pulls back, he will come forward as a result of the pressure, so don’t stand in front of the horse or between the horse and the snubbing post. The horse may pull back a few times before he stands still the first time. Once he realizes he can’t break free, he will stand tied. You may have to repeat this several times over several days before the horse learns to stand tied.
Another method is to tie to a rubber inner tube that will allow some stretch, again helping the fearful horse. Another method is to use what looks like a half of a snaffle bit (trainer Clinton Anderson uses this). This allows the rope to slip, but the horse does not get free if you are using a long rope. The horse learns there is nothing to be afraid of and will begin standing. For example, you want to teach your horse to stand, but when you approach, it pulls back. Using this ring method, the person approaches, and the horse is allowed to back up until it is comfortable. Bring the horse back up to the post and begin again. Build on this until the horse does not pull back at all.
