"Tight lines" and "One step" command

[bivol]

hi!

horses jerking the load by slamming their bodies against harnesses with loose chains can break equipment. the impact of force in starter pull could be lessened if the chains connecting harness with load were tight. were so i figured horses could be taught a command “tight lines!”, in which they’d learn to keep the chains tight, but just so they are not slack, while not exerting any excess pressure until given “step up” command.

also, for tasks who require just a step or two as a part of the process, maybe a “one step” command could be used. giving of the usual “walk on” command, and then stopping, and then again starting and stopping could annoy horses (or so i think:confused:), so it could help if they knew exactly what was expected of them by learning them a command by which they’d know they have to make one step and stop again.

i don’t know if these ideas are practical or not, i haven’t seen them in use yet, and i doubt people working with draft animals wouldn’t have figured out these commands were they useful. so i doubt these ideas a bit myself, but still i wrote about them because i would like to hear the opinions of people more experienced than i am.

Marko

[LStone]

I train a “step one” and “back one” command with success. I figure to tighen tugs I’d just “step one” until tight.

Larry

[Joshua Kingsley]

My horses used to move up a step at a time when I gave the command to step up. I was using this often while pitching manure into the spreader from a pile. An old logging horse I owned would take up the tugs when given the command to step up or when the lines were tightened. They would never move after tightening the tugs until given the proper command or a “kiss” after the lines were tight. Those systems worked well for me in the past. Now to get the ponies to do the same thing and I’ll be happy:rolleyes:.
Josh

[bivol]

thanks!

i didn’t know this command was used, though it makes sense….
larry, good idea, so one doesn’t have to learn a horse two commands.

[Vand]

We also use the command “one step.” Usually, we teach it to younger horses by pairing them with an older horse who knows the command already. We use a lot of different horse-drawn farm equipment and the “one step” command is invaluable. Our horses will step side to side, forward or backward. It comes in very handy when backing a piece of equipment into a narrow space (like a loading dock). The horses have to be able to move and adjust the tongue to get the equipment backed straight.

The way to teach it is to have a very solid “whoa” on your horse. That way you can ask your horse to step up, and when they move a step, instantly stop them with a “whoa.” Pretty soon, they will know to just move up one step when you ask for it rather than start walking.

[Carl Russell]

If they are harnesses on the pole with a D-ring harness, adjusted correctly, then the tugs will always be tight and when they lean into the load it will be right there. No need to teach them to tighten the tugs. Also horses used to move heavy loads will learn to stop and continue leaning into the load, ready for the next start.

Carl

[grey]

That doesn’t work when there is no pole, though, right Carl? That’s only when hitched to loads with a pole? Only somewhat familiar with the D-ring harness…

[grey]

If all the connecting apparatus between the collar and the load (traces, evener, chains, ect.) are not taut, I use the command “line out” to have the horses lean/edge up until things are taut. I brought it with me from dog mushing. I use it with the longe line, too, when the horse starts cutting corners and makes the line too slack. I like it because it doesn’t resemble any of the other commands I use.

For a single step, I use the command, “step”. I can push the “step” button as many times as it takes to get the horses where I need them. But if you start pushing it too many times, too close together, it loses meaning and they might give you more than one step when you are only asking for one. So if I need them to go more than three or four steps, I tell them to walk, and then stop them when they get to where they need to be. If I need them to take two or three steps, I ask for “step” and then wait. Then ask for another step, then wait. I try not to run them together. Seems to help keep them clear on the concept.

[Andre]

My mare, the only one that I have held on to for very long, will take 1 step with a 1 step command. She is also the last horse I hitch the tugs on when hitching. When she feels me pull on her tugs she will lean back to aid me (I hitch tight with a d ring harness). But I have bought and worked with a few others. I think that a sensible horse, with capable hands on the lines will learn pretty quick that lunging is uncomfortable. They seem to develop the “tighten up then go” over time. Some times I need a good “snap” to get things going, but not without letting them “feel” the load first. And I try to have them warmed up first. With consistency you can teach these fire breathing beasts anything. Just my 1/2 a cent. Hope I didn’t go off topic

[Author]

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