Some training Questions

Let's address the gelding first: Cross tying is not essential, it wouldn't be the end of the world if he NEVER stood in a cross tie...some horses just will not do it and will eventually flip and hurt themselves, or worse yet, break their neck and take a lovely trip on the big, ugly truck..so, the point that I am making is not to make that big of a deal out of it, tie him to a sturdy place in a strong halter with a strong lead rope and let him learn to accept it and stand quietly. Now, the mare: I would use this on both horses until they learn some ground manners and learn to respect your space. Don't even attempt to lead them unless you use a chain on the end of your lead rope. Feed it in the side of his/halter, down the side of the halter, through the metal piece there and over the nose...try over the nose first, it discourages rearing, and then back up to the other side of the halter...makes for more even pressure when you use it. Do NOT try to lead your horse looking at him/her...walk forward, looking where you are going, with your elbow out so that will be the first thing that your horse runs into when they invade your space...do NOT let your elbow budge, keep it firm and even push it into your horse and use the lead and back him up, quickly. Let him stand quietly, then turn around and repeat the process. Don't get discouraged, he will get the idea, just don't give up. Once you get your horse/horses listening to you, teach them to take a step backward when you take a step into their space and push them with the halter, at the same time, walk close to your horse and make him pivot on his hind end and continue to follow you...when ever your horse is rude and invades your space, run him backward with the halter, verbally correct him and make him stand up square and stay there. Now, with the bathing...use a stout halter, a strong lead rope and just tie your mare up where she can't push her around...make sure you haven't tied her to a fence that she will get in, but even a tree will work..begin with the hose quietly, at her feet, don't push her, work your way up..if she jigs around, let her, continue what you are doing until she accepts what you are doing, then work on up to her belly, her sides and her back and her neck...you might even want to wait on her head/face if she had done well so far...make it pleasant but don't stop in the middle of it just because she is acting up, she can just get over it. Use a scr or brush on her that is pleasant to her and walk her around after the experience...do it again the next day, and again the next until it's routine...remember, whether you are just leading your horse, backing it up, riding it, bathing it or grooming it, you are ALWAYS teaching it something, you are either reinforcing something negative or you are teaching something positive...so you have to be aware of everything that you are doing and what impression that it is making on your horse...If I have left anything out or you need further explaination, just ask. P.S. One more thing, separate them when you are working with them, ideally completely out of sight and sound of each other.