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365 Days in Horse Country – Safe Tying


Blog by Michael Stuart Webb | September 26th, 2013


365 Days in Horse Country – Safe Tying
 



H
orses can get into trouble quickly and easily.  One minute they are quietly standing, and the next they are trying to rip the hitching post out of the ground.  That’s why safe tying is so important.  Here are some essential rules for safe tying.

 

  • Never tie your horse by the reins.  If your horse pulls back, she could break her jaw or do other serious injury to herself.  Only tie your horse using a halter and a lead rope, a halter, and crossties.
     
  • You can’t just tie your horse to any object with a regular knot.  Horse are strong and can easy pull down an unsecure fence or a small tree by simply throwing her weight around.
     
  • When looking for a place to tie your horse, stick to a hitching post or crossties meant just for that purpose.  If you are on the trail or in a small place where you can’t find a hitching post, tie your horse only to a large, sturdy object that can’t be moved; even by 1,000 pounds (455 kg) of muscle (your horse).  Tie your horse as high as possible so she can’t get her leg over the rope.  A good rule of thumb is to have the knot at least as high as the horse’s withers.
     
  • Use a safety knot that easily releases during an emergency.  A number of knots fir this description.  Review the illustration above and follow these directions for instructions on how to tie a quick release knot; a favourite among horse people.
     
  1. Drape your lead rope over a post with the other end tied to your horse.
  2. Loop the release end of the rope over and around the tie end.
  3. Using the release end, pull a loop through as shown.  Concg the knot closed so it resembles the number “4”
  4. The knot is untied by pulling the release end.  Though the knot itself is secure, it will pull apart.

     

Michael