My friend, John R, from Australia offered to teach me how to get a horse to lie down on cue, as in the movies. The first step was to tie up the horse's front leg with a soft rope.

I am quieting the horse since he wonders what is happening to him.

The lead rope on the halter is pulled back over the horse's shoulder, so he will turn his head in the direction of his tied up foot.

The idea is to pull his head far enough back that he will shift his balance and sink down on his front end.

The horse twists his head and tries to get away from us. We need to reposition him.

We try to push him on down, so he will learn what we want, while continuing the halter pressure.

Afraid of losing his balance, the horse struggles back to his feet.

We work him back into position and try to get his head pulled back around. He has a very stout neck!

The horse decided if it was too scary to go down, he'd try going up instead.

Since it was easier to go up than down, he thought he would try it again.

John's stronger arms pulled the horse down the first time. The horse is about down so I add a little extra neck pressure.

The horse finally figures out we want him to lie down.

As soon as he lies down, I quickly untie his leg. The next step is for him to get up with a rider.

I give the horse time to think about it and he rests for a minute.

Now it's my turn to make the horse lie down. He remembers it was easier to go up first.

The horse really doesn't make a good dance partner.

The horse goes down a little quicker this time, since he's done it once already.

The horse goes down with a little more grace the second time.

The horse settle to the ground.

This time he knows its ok to get back up.

We both learned something new today.

©2007 Terry Henderson All rights reserved, unauthorized public performance, broadcasting and duplication is a violation of applicable laws.