How to teach a horse to lay down naturally (without ropes) ~ Tutorial!

[@amycarter1331]

What an absolutely perfect example of BACK AND FORTH communication between you and your horse. That was far, far more than just "here this is what I want". He was looking to you and I saw you listening to him as much as he was listening to you. Definitely admirable horsemanship.

[@adopcjezwierzakow5370]

That method is amazing! It's just perfect for me and my horse. I taught him to lay down peacefully in three days (ten minutes each day). THANK YOU!!!

[@nadinelindblom]

Adopcje zwierzaków You're welcome! Im glad you like it! :)

[@coolrunningcreek]

Adopcje zwierzaków ż

[@michelehemlokhexwhite4310]

Awesome!

[@michelehemlokhexwhite4310]

What a brilliant video! We use the same tactics with parrot training... learn body-language, then cue it and shape it. Thanks for another awesome video! ❤❤❤

[@kdhuff]

This was really inspiring to see a horse lie down in 13 minutes with no force. I taught my horse to lie down some time ago with the assistance of a leg rope and she will go down now on command, but haven't been able to get her to stay down. After watching this and another one of your videos, I am excited to try some more.

[@nadinelindblom]

KD Huff Im glad you like it! :)

[@justinejenness804]

+KD Huff I also taught my filly to lay down the same way. It took belly high snow for me to finally figure out the command for teaching her to lay without a leg rope.. Felt so bad, I was only trying to turn her around, haha.. Eventually we got to where now it's that cue whenever wherever.

[@HorseClass]

Great tutorial! I like how you do the narration and would love to see more! I also tried this with my mare and she didn't quite lay down but was doing all the other behaviors and was very close. Will keep working on it, thanks!

[@freja7240]

I’m so late but, this is great! The way you get him to do it naturally and the exact way they do it in the paddock is mind-blowing 😍

[@michelehemlokhexwhite4310]

Never too late to learn something new ❤

[@HorseLove4Life]

out of all the methods i've seen of laying a horse down i definitely like yours the most. so calm and just nicely asking the horse to lie down on his own without any force whatsoever, that was really nice to watch. i've been trying to teach my horse to lie down by first teaching him to bow but we're sort of stuck in the bow phase and don't really get anywhere from there, so i think i'll try this instead.

[@cowtasticmayberry7015]

Thank you for making this. I have a cow who I train tricks and things for fun and to show people cows are not daft plus it helps bond with her even more though I am not sure how much more I can do... She calls for me when I leave to go home. Anyway! They are in fact smart and it's proven they remember things much longer then Horses. I love horses don't get me wrong though! I have to modify it slightly and I'm combining it with another video but it seems to be working wonders. I don't believe in using ropes and forcing an animal to do something like that if they don't want to do it. Laying down for them makes them Vulnerable and they should never be forced to do something like that... it's just mean. Anyway thank you for making this!

[@jasminemurfin538]

Cowtastic Mayberry I know it's late, but that is so sweet!

[@zoroisdead]

Your average cow is definitely not as smart as your average horse. A Horse's memory can be infallible, it's probably why the part of our brain that's related to memory is named after them; hippocampus. Cows can be smart too, but they live half as long as horses. The average horse is about as smart as a 13year old human. Look up beautiful Jim key.

[@naturalnouska6183]

This is really good! My horse knows that when she rolls she gets a treat, but she doesn't know a command, I'm going to try this method when I'm going to her again, I'll keep you updated on our progress!

[@linzjc78hull]

I watched this video this morning and gave it a go with my Friesian cross mare this evening. Have to say I was dubious about how much success I was going to have, despite the fact that my mare is very intelligent and loves to learn. Pleased to say it worked a treat and after about 15 patient minutes she went down and had a good old roll :)

[@ajsmitten2819]

Really love this. What also went straight thru my head was that if you lunge a horse and it offers to lower the head you will accomplish another very valuable part of training... the engagement of their back, the rounding of the back which especially for me as a dressage rider is very important. 2 thumbs up from me.

[@sarahcoleman8560]

How lovely! I so miss being with horses all day since a drunken teen knocked me into a different life, although I feel I might some day be able to do groundwork, which I thoroughly enjoy!! Good to see your quiet approach.

[@FabulousBet]

First: I like your intro "whom I rescued ..." (proves to people that "even rescues" are great horses). He obviously trusts you - great job! Great approach to teaching your horse! You really listen to the horse. This method is great, might not work with every horse, but it provides a GREAT method (we have 2 rescued Mustangs, one rescued OT TB, they are all three totally different in character etc.). THANKS for rescuing him, being such a good horse person, and posting this great video!

[@lexieedwards3759]

I'm so glad you uploaded this tutorial. I've been looking for a video on how to lay down your horse and this is the best one I've seen. This will be the method I'll use. By the way, I love your horse I think he's GORGEOUS! :)

[@kevintengvall4642]

Well done, it's great to see such patience and a demo with a nervous horse, I would bet his training goes in leaps and boungs after he has mastered this. great vid ta.

[@amilouise94]

I really love your natural method. Making it his idea. I always let my horse know she has an option. Never and I mean never will I force her do something she doesn't want to do. :)

[@redstoneranger1404]

Thank you for this impressing and inspiring tutorial. It shows perfectly how to stimulate the natural behavior to reach a certain goal.

[@barneyjack123]

This is great! I love how you don't use ropes and force your horse down, I love how its natural! Thanks so much for making this video! I'm definitely going to try this method with my horse! :)

[@BeautifulDay1389]

After just getting done watching a video of a professional training a horse to lie down using a hobble and moving it around the round pen .... I have to say I'm so very glad to see there are alternative method videos out there! Both get the same result but one is based out of forced obedience or "breaking" and fear. The other is based out of trust and asking. If they horse isn't ready to lay down its just not going to. It's telling you something is missing in its training or its relationship with you or it could possibly be in pain. People argue that horses started "naturally" more like this are disrespectful and need "leadership". I argue your horse sees you as another being worth working rather than fearing and feeling trapped by. Besides, wouldn't you rather have a fair and kind master over a dictator ? Anyway, just my opinion. Keep up the good work!

[@kadda9219]

The way you work with your horse is really amazing. I love your vids

[@smallasdust41]

So good! I would love to see more tutorials from you! Thanks so much for this.

[@SusanALennon]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I've done a lot of work with my horse but when it came to "shaping" him to lie down, I made the same mistake that you mentioned that you made which was rushing toward him. When my horse was younger he would come up to me and roll to show his pleasure but that still didn't mean that I could walk up to him when he was lying down. Anyway, this was perfect. It is how I like to train, but I needed help. I've had too many suggestions from people with horses that aren't like mine. This will work great.

[@lizf9472]

Thank you for this! This is the first video I've seen that has not forced the behavior. I'm going to try this with my mini in his favorite rolling spot :)

[@offislandmike]

Really enjoyed this tutorial. I liked your technique - you have a very calm voice and showed great patience; I can't wait to go and try this with my own horse.

[@cowgirl141414]

Omg! Thank you so much for uploading this. I've been looking for a video that I could teach my horse to lay down without using ropes. Gonna try this soon :)

[@nadinelindblom]

Glad you liked it!

[@nbequestrian8064]

I have the same type of horse as u (very nervous and sensitive) so in summer time I think this method will work excellent for me and my horse !!! thank you this is amazing !

[@carolineleiden]

At 4.10 she's got it! "If I lower my head, I get a treat! I have trained my human! Look, she does it every time!" 😁

[@LisadeKramer]

Great video. I have always wanted to teach my horse to lie down but I never liked using the rope method. I know Alexander Nevzorov gets his horses to lay down and I can bet he uses no ropes on the legs. The man is amazing. You are using the natural tenancies of the horse to lay down on his own. You can also do this in the saddle. Train the horse to drop his head at the walk and keep it down and he will lay down on you. I will have to play with this. Thank you

[@lacey2420]

So impressive! can’t wait to try this out!! Thankyou so much. Such an easy video to follow.

[@georgie9506]

this is absolutely amazing! all of that and all they had to learn was to put their head down! mind= blown

[@jferponygirl]

Lovely!!! I so much prefer working with the horses mind first, then the feet. So many yahoos out there using ropes and bridles to get the horse to give (or give up ) Super way to work with an unconfident horse. Wonderful, wonderful job on your video. Hope you do more.

[@atinnna]

I'm going to try this with my horse. Thank you very much for this tutorial!

[@djdestroyer]

this makes me want a horse -- he's smart but so chill!

[@kaitlyna2310]

This was great!!! It helped me so much!! Thankyou! I hope you do more tutorials in the future!! Thanks so much!

[@nyezilla]

Awesome stuff! I like the way of patience there. And by the footage, it took only 13 minutes to make him lay down :)

[@myrthedegroot5489]

Oh wauw! following you on ig, and I love your work! It's so inspiring! Today is gonna be a day to watch lots of your video's, to learn things for later. I love the natural way you do with your horses! thank you😊❤

[@ShadowProductions24]

wow! I never thought of teaching my girls to lay down this way! I've already taught both my girls to lay down but I think I might give this method a try as well XD

[@OutlawRides]

Great communication with the horse!

[@CrazyTayo]

I've seen a lot of methods for lying horses down, including my own which I actually don't particularly like(because it Ted's to panic my horse :/) but I love this method as it goes through the natural cues, cues I've taught myself to watch for and recognise. I don't usually use treats but it looks like an excellent way to teach tricks, while sticking to standard "release rewards when doing standard training. Thanks for sharing ur method, I look forward to testing it on my own horse :)

[@ldvlogs4146]

Thank you so much 😊 now it is so much easier for me to get on my mares

[@hannahgabriella4931]

may i ask what you have as a cue for him to lay down?❤️

[@joudy3739]

idk what she says but you can say *down* as it is simple to remember.

[@anneharwood943]

Very nice! I hurt my back and can't ride for awhile. I thought it would be fun to teach him to lie down, but I've only seen I done by picking up a front leg. This looks a lot safer. I've done clicker training, and I'm thinking my challenge is going to be keeping my horse out on the line. But I'll figure it out.

[@krystalmarshall6317]

I have a 10 year old 11 hand mini named ace. he is very sensitive and spooky and I do believe this method will help a lot!!! thanks!

[@joannepeek]

Thank you so much for this! I think this will help me so much with teaching laying down.

[@mehrasunaina]

Thank you for demonstrating this wonderful method. 😊😊👍

[@lillwistrand]

I tried on my horse today and it worked! it took about 15 -20 minutes. 😀

[@tarjat8536]

I watched just before this a clip in which a horse was "made" to lie down with ropes. Lots of anxiety, lots of heavy breathing, wrangling and assertions by the "maker" as to how dangerous it is. You actually accomplish it much faster, and without any kind of anxiety or drama. Thanks for posting. Awesome!

[@Flavoaw1013]

Thank you so much. This was in depth and i enjoyed it prob just as much as you when he kicked up his feet lol. I'll remember this.

[@vinedew6346]

I absolutely love this!! best tutorial by far! Just wondering what kind of treats you use :)

[@Ladysmyth]

Gorgeous.Beautiful demonstration of reading your subject and successive approximation! Have you tried adding a clicker or some other clear 'event marker' or 'bridge'?

[@nadinelindblom]

Diana Hilliard My event marker is 'good' or 'good boy/girl'. They very quickly learn that it comes with a treat or a release of pressure :)

[@natsr450]

wow awesome and amazing teaching and horse! Well done :)

[@nadinelindblom]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@mahliasmithmacpherson9160]

I'm very exited to teach my horse to lay down using this method and i really think it will work well for us, thank you so much for sharing your technique! i just wanted to ask what cue you introduced once he was doing it comfortably?

[@nadinelindblom]

You are welcome!! Glad you liked it :)

[@MemaPerrott]

Really love this technique! Can't wait to try it with my pony!!! :-D

[@ElleCasey]

Wonderful! So gentle!

[@emilyfritz4930]

Thankyou so much for this video. I am going to try this with my mare. How do u get the horse to lay down on cue?

[@katiet1470]

how do you stop them rolling when they're down?

[@2baysandagrey92]

Thank so much for this! I've always been told to use the rolling method but I feel the horses do not learn from that.They just roll and think the treat does not correspond with laying down. When my horse is off stall recovery we're going to go for it!

[@hannahloveshens6748]

I can't give my horse treats as she barges into me once she knows I have them, so I'm trying to get her out or that x

[@iamlikearainbow]

A thank to you for putting this up i will try this with my horse Chubb:)))

[@soupbowl2750]

I can't wait to try this!

[@jennijohannavayrynen2849]

Very good demonstration! love it :) what is the words you use for the horse same time so the horse knows what you want later as you ask different tricks?

[@Gravegirls]

Is there a way to train a horse to lie down, have you mount, and the horse stand back up? I realize this would require lots of trust but I think it would be a fun exercise and haven't seen any tutorial videos of this.

[@SuperWaLLEEE]

This action would cause unneeded stress on the joints of the horse. There is a reason most responsible horse owners wouldn't consider doing this. how about you lay down and i throw 20-30% of your body weight on your back and then you get up for every time you ask your horse to do it. teaching them to lay down is all well and good and can build allot of trust, but asking them to lay down so you can be lazy or show off.... don't be lazy and just build the partnership properly

[@ell-keepdreaming5272]

Omg this is incredible and inspiringly am going to try this with my new horse and I think it will really help us bond!!!! I'm supper excited

[@tashmcmahon9040]

Thank you so much I got mine to go in ten min! This method is awesome!!!! Thankyou so much -

[@giannagraziano6782]

Thank you so much for this! I've been looking for MONTHS for a way to teach my horse to lay down without using ropes/force! This is perfect! I actually started teaching my horse using this method right after I saw this video about a week ago. After about five minutes, I was able to get him to lower his head by lightly touching his neck around his ears. He was also pawing and sniffing the ground quite a bit!!! I have a question though. Finn is incredibly stubborn and just doesn't lunge. We've tried to get him to lunge a lot, but he just won't. So, is there a substitute for taking him around in a circle? Could I just continue standing in the same place until he offers to move around on his own? Thanks so much!

[@nadinelindblom]

Hello :) Im glad you enjoyed the tutorial. Thats great that you have made progress already!! You can definitely just continue until he offers to move on his own. Good luck!!

[@ultramoody9558]

At the end of the video where you were saying that you kept asking him, what signals did you use to ask?

[@helenesstables]

Beautiful tutorial!

[@NewEarthWellness]

We had an Appy that needed lessons on how to remain standing. She learned (before we got her) that she could get out of being ridden by laying down after she was saddled. The seller said that she "was raised with kids" and I think that was how she got her bad habits. She was sweet but apparently over worked at some point. A real drama queen. :)

[@rianneverwoerd7888]

I have added this video to my favorites

[@MsLeahSweet]

You have a very beautiful horse! So sweet :)

[@JessHickman01]

Great video! How do you add the cue in so that eventually he'll lie down when asked?

[@katrinalil8562]

It's like a dog u say down or what ever and do the command and repeat

[@vickymietton1732]

hi! i love your method, i started this morning with my horse and i could only get to the point when he walks around me with his head down and scratch the floor with no rope in about 10 min i was amazed how fast he get that^^ but he doesn't want to lay down. I haven't got a round pen so i do it in a close area but it's grass :/ i think that's my problem. (sorry i'm french, hope you understand) can't wait to see more tutorial.

[@pirulenta]

amazing! I have a 2 months old foal and will try this with him. What treat did you give your horse? what do you recomend for my baby foal?

[@laurenbritton]

Great video! Thanks! I have a horse I want to teach to lie down and kneel. I have another horse who is 23 months old that I am trying to trach

[@angelmariejones7829]

hey there, love your videos first of all... i was just wondering, have you ever tried using dogs to show the horse what to do, to connect the behaviour or act you want from him, the specific words your using for your command .i.e getting a dog to lay down infront of the horse a lot, so he picks it up a bit quicker?...

[@isabelsammes2527]

This is awesome Thankyou! I'm going to try this soon!

[@Cornbeneathcanada]

so nice, I hope to try this soon

[@avaseiler6338]

Is it necessary to take the lead off? Will it work without doing that?

[@floss200224]

oh my god, i love this method, my instructor has just been starting to teach my horse to lay down by tying his leg up & Pulling him over, but i way prefer this way! thanks so much x

[@Taima89]

Hi Nadine, may I ask how Ace is coming along with the progress of this training?

[@nouraboulmakarem1413]

Really helpful but didn't understand how do we get him to understand the command? and which command should I use? should I tell him the command before trying to get his head down?

[@charlotted5208]

I absolutely love this!

[@ppeeppaa23]

Hello! I tried this at my horse and it worked. I really like the way you work aroud and with your horses! But I wonder about one thing, how do you learn your hors by comand when he nows what to do?:)

[@alinazogel1883]

Thats such an easy and stressless way to teach a horse laying down! Wonderfull! :) I think its a good way for me and my horse too! Thank you :) Does every horse lay down at the first time oft training it? Sorry for my bad english...

[@nadinelindblom]

Alina Donau I never expect a horse to lay down the first time doing this, but yes, some do. Others take a few more sessions :)

[@lanahorton1003]

Did you use any sort of marker like a verbal or a clicker?

[@abbydedman5452]

This is amazing! I'm thinking of doing this with my mare, but she will forget right after I give her a reward(if that makes sense), she is also very spooky

[@CiroMartinsPinto]

Hi! You had teaches this horse to lay down since the beginning in this video? I have so many doubts, can you help me? I got a 3 years-old quarter mile horse from my uncle, can I teach him to lay down? How many times by day I need try teach him and for how long?

[@lizchapleau8611]

Once your horse is laying down consistently, how do you add a specific cue like rubbing their stomach to get them to lie down only when asked?

[@TheCHOC36]

Hi Nadine, I am having some problems with my horse. I teached him to lay down adding a cue while he was laying down and it worked for a while. But now he no longer wants to do it despite he knows the aid. I don´t over do it and he is confident and the terrain is ok. He just doesn´t want to do it. Putting more pressure doesn´t work and being kind and just waiting neither. So I think maybe this is not the best way to teach a horse to lay down as he is not enough motivated. My question is, in you experience what is the best method to teach a horse to lay down? How do you usually teach your horses to lay down and which way do you find the more effective one? Thak you very much!!! ;)

[@nadinelindblom]

María Durán Sorry for the late reply :P I teach all my horses this way if I need to actually teach them. Some tend to just lie down and I reward it. My little mare, Nina, used to lie down when I sat down in the sand, so thats how I taught her. Then I added a pressure cue- tapping behind the forelegs. There are many ways to teach a horse but I like this way as it does not stress them and its more 'fun' for them to try to figure out what to do to get their reward. I would try going through the same process you used to teach him in the first place. If he no longer wants to do it, he either does not see a point to it or it has been an uncomfortable experience. Start from the beginning and dont expect too much :)

[@TheCHOC36]

Nadine Lindblom Hi Nadine. Thank you so much for your response. I dont know why he doesn´t want to do it. He likes to do it as long as is his idea and then he doesn´t mind if I ask him, but if I ask him and he doesn´t want to do it, he doesn´t. No bad experiences, I tought him tapping the ground once he was about to lie down. I think he doesn´t find enough motivation. That´s all. Thank you very much ;)

[@SarahPNH]

great video! I'm just wondering do you only use the treats during training? I'm worried about using treats with my horse incase he starts expecting them all the time and if I don't have any on me at any point in time he won't do what i ask

[@nadinelindblom]

Sarah Jane You dont have to use treats doing this, you can just work of the pressure and release. So instead of giving him a treat, you just give him release of pressure and maybe a scratch if he enjoys that. Using treats in training is just a motivation tool, not a bribe. I expect all my horses to do as I ask even if I dont have treats, and they all do :)

[@SarahPNH]

Awesome! thank you, can't wait to give this a go with my horse :)

[@emd123]

I'm trying to teach my mini to lay down on cue. Any tips?

[@samiyahshua]

look at my video , How to teach your horse to lay down the easy way part 1

[@cassiedelver9571]

I want to try this but I'm just wondering if this would turn into a bad habit of putting his head down?

[@katharinah2129]

Hi Nadine :) I like your methode very much, it sounds very comfortable. But I've got one question; my horse is a little bit jounger and isn't able to concentrate that much, so I'm wooried that he would just step away if I take off the rope. Can you help me? (Excuse my bad english, I'm only 13 And from Germany) Greetings, Cathy

[@katharinah2129]

+Sydney Eitelgeorge Thanks! The thing is, he is following me already, but when he is tired of this 'awful stuff' I'm doing with him, he just walks away. Even if I am only working with him for two minutes :D but I already figured out how he stays with me - lots of treats :D I'm also training for only 10-15 minutes so he doesn't get bored that fast. How I've said befor, excuse my awful english and thank you for the help :)

[@myshadowpaint]

What kinds of treats do you use? I want to teach my 11yo gelding to lay down, bow, and all that but I'm worried about the ingredients in my treats and that they say not to feed more than 5 a day.

[@cloesequestrianlife1515]

If you go to my channel you can see my horse bowing! A lot of treats say that it's not a bad thing! They say that because it's like a serving size you feed them to a horse to reward not for a meal you see what I'm saying??? Teaching a horse to bow is a very easy trick! He also knows hug and follow! There also easy! I hope I helped! -horse trainer and owner

[@anniehouston241]

Honestly, I just cut large carrots into bite sized pieces and don’t even have horse treats. Much healthier and a lot cheaper

[@SA-fe2iu]

what if we dont have a ring or round pen? can we just keep the lead on and do it in a pasture?

[@SA-fe2iu]

ok. i never actually see him laying down, just rolling when i take him out of hs pasture and he starts to roll. i tried that and started rewarding him once he got up, or if he let me, while he was down so hopefully that will work. thanks!

[@leamaria5383]

Hey nadine :) So I'm a big fan about yohr work with your horses. So I tried to teach my horse to lay down this way. But he just stands there and grabs the ground and then we're stuck. When I want him to go, he does nothing. And if he stands he just grabs the ground, i have the feeling that he just wants the treats and isn't interested what I think. I also did it after riding, easier for him and we tried it seperate times, I'm frustradet😟

[@jadechopz78xd10]

Would it be a good idea to use a clicker for this sort of training? So you click as soon as he lays down, ?

[@nadinelindblom]

jadechopz 78 xD Definitely! If your horse has been trained with the clicker previously it would be very handy!

[@rianneverwoerd7888]

This is perfect! My horse like this way :D