standing still

[Karen in NC]

Hi everyone. Do you train minis like big horses? I have 2 weanlings and they won't stand still for grooming etc. I have read that they are too toung to be lunged so how do I teach them to stand still when tied? They are walking well on lead and their Whoa is getting better but tying is a different story. Thanks, Karen

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I say teach them to stand tied is one of the major priorities. Even before grooming. Make them stand tied, pick up their feet, rub them all over, and then start introducing them to the grooming supplies.

 

[Peggy Porter]

I have always boarded my mini at "big" horse barns. When teaching him to cross tie, I found it was almost impossible using standard height cross ties. He could swing his butt underneath them and turn himself completely around, sometimes more than once. Then he'd stand there with this big mess of ties twisted around his nose. Either that, or he would rear up. I found a simple fix (which probably is a "DUH" moment for those who only have minis, but took a while to come to a newbie mini owner):lower the crossties to mini height! He can't twist under them and he can't rear. His forward and back motion is much restricted, so the only thing left for him to do is....STAND! I also always use the word "stand" when I want him to remain motionless. To me, "whoa" means stop, but be ready to do something else. "Stand" means stay here.