Sacking Out - Part Three

So, you've done the sacking out with the saddle pad, and your horse is doing well. 

Next move on to a rope. 

Like the maxim that all horses should be sacked out, all horses need to be sacked out with a rope.  Do not even think about getting on a horse without sacking them out with a rope all over their bodies.  And all over in this case, means some places you'd likely not even think about.  Such as the head, ears, rump, under the tail (yes, under the tail), around the legs, on the belly, the chest and the withers.  As an extension to this lesson, you can also teach them to stand still when you have a rope tied to their feet so if they ever get caught in wire or something else, they will know to stand still.

Back to the sacking out with a rope.  You do this because most of what you use to ride a horse has something on it that will bump, slap, slide down or get tangled in the legs and feet (long reins, cinches, etc).  They need to learn a rope will not harm them to start with, and that anything else under their belly, tangled in their feet (like a saddle that has slipped under them) - is not a cause for a rodeo.  Teach this lesson well, it may save your life and that of your horse.

Use a long soft cotton lead rope if you have one - if not - use something else.  You just want to make sure not to hit the horse.  When you first start using this rope, the horse may think you are asking him to move off.  Just stop them and quietly start over.  Start swinging it all over the place just like you did with the saddle pad.  Work away from the body for him to get used to the movement.  When he is ok with that, then start to throw it on the ground, over his body, under his legs, between his legs.  Go slowly when doing this as some horses just flip out when they feel a rope under their belly or around their legs.

You might be at this awhile, but the patience will pay off in the long run.  Once again, do not quit this lesson until the horse quietly stands while the rope is all over him.  Then call it a successful day with praise and a rest.