Tying Your pony

Before reading this article read these ones

Ponyplay basic training

Leading your pony

One of the most important things to train your pony is how to stand still while you are working with him. Related to this, is teaching your pony both to ground tie (where his lead rope or reins are not attached to a post or some such) and to be tied to a hitching post, ring, etc. The first thing to do is teach your pony to stand properly: the pony should stand squarely with his feet nicely under him, his weight distributed evenly on both legs and fore hooves (if not bound behind back or elsewhere) should be hanging straight down, his back should be straight, head held up, looking straight ahead. This is how a pony should look when you halt him when leading, and this is how a pony should stand in ties or when by himself unless you have otherwise indicated he may relax. You may a crop lightly to indicate which parts of the body the pony should move until the pony is standing properly. 

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Once the pony can stand properly, you can now teach him to ground tie. Ground tying means allowing your pony to stand by himself with his lead rope or reins not secured to a post or hitching rail. Training your pony to do this will allow you to walk away and do other things. Moreover, this will be the foundation on which you teach your pony to be tied to a rail, in a trailer, or in cross-ties. This is analogous to teaching a puppy how to "stay." For this, you will need either a lounge line or a set of long reins (such as driving reins) about 25 feet long. Lead your pony into an arena or other confined area and stop him. Make sure the pony is standing properly with his feet are nicely under him. When your pony is standing squarely, tell your pony to “stand” or "stay" (whichever term you prefer) and give the reins or lounge line a slight backward tug, then take one step forward keeping hold of the lounge line or reins, and turn to face the pony. If the pony did not move, stay standing one step away for 5 - 10 seconds, then step back toward the pony, returning to your original position (this should be the position you are in when leading the pony: on the pony's left side and slightly in front of him with both of you facing the same direction) and tell him "good pony" or "good girl/boy". If not tell him "wrong" or "bad" step back to him and give the reins or lounge line a tug. When the pony is again standing still you can try again.

Repeat this procedure 5 - 10 times. Once the pony is able to do this reliably, start increasing the distance (i.e. take 2 steps away from pony, then 4 steps, etc.) until you are at the end of the lounge line or long reins. Each time you repeat this, make sure you issue the verbal command "stay" or "stand" along with the short backward tug on the pony's reins/lounge line before stepping away. 

Now that your pony can lead, stand, and ground tie, it is time to teach him to tie. Use a ring attached to something solid that the pony cannot move, such as a wall or a post. The height of ring should be around shoulder height so that the pony will not tangle himself in the long reins or lounge line. It is also a good idea to have good footing such as a rubber map or dirt floor.

Lead your pony to the tie ring; tell your pony to “stay” or "stand" followed by the quick backwards tug on the lounge line or reins (not tying your pony to the ring as yet), then take a step or two away. If your pony tries to follow you, say “bad” or "wrong," walk back and try again. If necessary, swat your pony's ass with a crop if he tries to back up. When the pony is comfortable with you stepping away and remains standing quietly, you can start walking further away. Continue with ground tying at the tie ring until you are able to walk to the end of the lounge line and your pony will remain standing.

Now it is time to simulate tying your pony to the ring: walk your pony up to the ring and tell him to "stay" or “stand” and give the reins or line a backwards tug, then thread the lounge line or long reins through the ring. However, do not tie it; keep hold of it, then start walking away keeping the line in your hands. Work at this until your pony will remain standing quietly at the ring. When you can reach the end of the lounge line, gradually increase the time you spend away from your pony. When your pony will stand quietly for 10 minutes while you’re at the end of the lounge line, your pony should now be safe to tie.

After reading this article, read this one:
Cross tie your pony