*******Always remember,,there is never a question that is "dumb" or "stupid",,Horses and the care and training is a never ending learning experience,,not one person out there knows all,,but many know alot. And many more sure do want to learn.******** THANK YOU so much dakotagirl----this is what the communication here should be about----willingness to share what works for us without ridicule, belittlement or downright rudeness as i have seen on other topics...... a method or piece of tack may help on 9 horses but that 10th one will try everything you have in your own bag of tricks and it is good to be able to come here and tap into another's ideas or bag of tricks!!!!!!!! sometimes that 10th one is a different horse within himself each day--rancher (among some others) would spot that one fast. thanks again girl.

What a great Question,,,and even better answers!!,,As a youngster, my mom taught me that when breaking a horse to ride that tends to rear up, you are to use a tie down on them to keep them from doing so,,,But have to say,(no disrespect to my mom intended here), I have found that if you do your ground work correctly,on any horse, of any discipline, a tie down should not be needed. I most definately agree with rancher,,think most use them "just because others do". When I ran barrels, I got asked all the time, where my tie down was,,,just told them I didn't need it. And,,while I was being taught just a bit bout roping, I noticed that the folks that I was being taught by did not have tie downs on their horses either. I was just tickled to see this question come up. Always remember,,there is never a question that is "dumb" or "stupid",,Horses and the care and training is a never ending learning experience,,not one person out there knows all,,but many know alot. And many more sure do want to learn.

kindred--i assumed you were talking roping horses--if you weren't i apologize--if you meant working cow horse or cutting then i honestly would have no idea why. i would never put a tiedown on if using the horse in cutting----having seen some of those with their head at knee level i know i do not want hooves that close to something connected. i get teased because i am always wanting to snug up all those back cinches i see hanging 4 inches................. **** "Alot use that equipment cause 'every one else does'." **** i agree rancher. we could have fun with the reasons we hear for some of the contraptions we see on horses.

Julebug you pretty much nailed it. At least what you describe is generally the thinking of ropers. Alot use that equipment cause 'every one else does'.

"Competition Cow Horses" do not use tie downs! They are "trained" (an incorrect word but one that many may simply identify with) are conditioned to move naturally being collected and supple (unlike the unatural position of Western Pleasure horses a few years ago). It is important to understand the physical make-up of the individual horse as well. For example a horse with a high positioned neck will not carry it's head as low as a horse with a lower neck to shoulder position (example, Smokum Oak horses are typically high necked). However, they, the high necked horses will drop their head position when "hunting a cow" (cow instinct or lol cow-dar). Now then that being said, rope event horses, (here we go) barrel horses are another animal. Many tie them down to the point they lean on the tie-down to the point it is almost unnatural. then there are those that fear a broken jaw because an animal raises it head a bit oh my. Myself (opinion or editorial comment comming beware) would not use a tie down as the animals are worked from early on to carry a natural headset being collected and supple on a loose rein. Ever see a horse stumble and get a front leg in a tie down not a pretty crash oops site. You might want to watch horses move in a pasture to see their head set that nature gave them and the movements they were God given.

Thanks for the reply JB, I was thinking about the head whacking the head thing myself! Kathy

i have not had "anything" to do w/calf roping horses in over 26 yrs so i am not real qualified to answer this but i can say what i think was our reason then: it just helped keep the head in the general area of where it should be and gave the horse something to steady against following a calf moving like a jackrabbit running flat out. alot will jump in and say more training for head position but i have ridden out of the arena away from the box with out it and that head was down, relaxed and where a good "western pleasure" rider would have been pleased. we hardly ever used it when just teaching them to snug back in the box or to learn to wait--did not want them to feel too trapped. i recently was in earshot of the opinion that calf horses and barrel horses were for the most part "half trained" and anyone who knows anything about me knows i jumped right square in on that one. i can appreciate the training that goes into each. just my 1 cent worth in the absence of a more detailed answer. oh--did not have to worry about getting knocked in the face either. have a great day.

Kathy I think they all went to Vegas.

Ok, got a question. Recently at a benefit rodeo for our therapy center I spent a little time noticing the horses there. My question, (and I am really ignorant about this, thus the question)is this: Why do these horses who go after the heifers(?) have on such short tie downs? TIA, Kathy