[Joan Deutsch]

There are many horror stories about horses injured while tied so wondering if you have any general guidelines for how to minimize the dangers. I tie our mare with a slip knot on a lead rope, but she's a busy lady and constantly chewing on the rope and trying to undo it. Wondering if I'd be better with something like a trailer tie. My main worry is being able to free her in an emergency. A slip knot seems easier to release than a panic snap on a tie. Is that true? Has anyone been through a tying emergency or accident? Also, I know it's a good idea to have a knife handy in case a horse gets in big trouble with a rope and needs to be cut loose. Any suggestions?

[cassyopia]

Continue with the lead rope but tie it above her head but low enough to reach the slip knot and yes carry a knife because some times even with a slip knot they can pull it so tight you can't release it. I have had this problem especially if the lead rope is wet. carry the knife in your pocket not in the saddle bags same goes for your cell phone on you not the horse. I high line most of the time on camp trips if you can learn to do a bowline knot that is better than a slip knot as it doesn't tighten up and can always be undone with ease. It also stays tied until you undo it. My tying up emergency was in a trailer I went to reach up and undo my mare while standing next to her she panicked and slammed me against the trailer before I could reach the slip knot and undo it she nearly broke the lead rope.since that day I DON'T GET IN WITH THE HORSE WHILE THEY ARE TIED IN I UNTIE THEM FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRAILER THEN OPEN THE DOOR., I got lucky I wasn't hurt bad just some bruises and a solid warning. This was a horse with perfect ground manners also she never did it again to this day that was a 13 years ago.

[Wyldterv]

When trail riding I always carry a knife, I'm more lax about it at home but I have a knife right inside the barn that is always handy if needed for emergency.

I tie a bowline in the horse trailer and for long term tie ups and usually a simple slip knot for short term tie ups. As far as a safety snap faster then untying a rope? YES! It is faster as long as you always put the safe release snap on the tie ring NOT the horse. If a horse is in panic mode you don't want to be in close trying to fumble with the snap on a halter.

[Mary K.]

Ditto what Terv said re having the safety end on the fixed object rather than the horse. I learned that the hard way when I forgot to unhook Lucy's tie and tried to back her out of a friend's trailer one day. Lucy panicked, the safety end was on her halter, and things got kind of ugly quickly. One shredded tie later the lesson was learned! Have since tried to convince my friend that the safety snap goes on the non-horse end, but am not sure she's swapped them around. Will check first before she hauls us again, that's for sure.

[Trails]

Great Thread!

I tie to trailer and highline using a bowline with a quick release and I generally use several to discourage nimble mouths!
Bowline instructions - http://www.trailmeister.com/Knots/Knots_Bowline.htm

Another thing to think about is the danger of having having a saddle on the horse when it's tied to a highline. I did this ONCE. After I had to cut my favorite lead from around the horn, I decided that it's a good idea to untack before I put the horse on a highline. Luckily no one was injured.

If you're around horses IMHO you should have a knife on you. Giant rambo knifes aren't necessary, just a pocket knife to cut baling twine, open a package, or cut a lead in an emergency!

Also, you should know how to tie a few knots. If you don't know to tie knots useful for horse owners there are a number of places where you can learn to do so.

Knot tying instructions / illustrations / video - http://www.trailmeister.com/Knots.htm

[Wyldterv]

Trails, thanks for the great link to some good knots for horsepeople! Bowline I have down pat as my grandfather ingrained it into my brain from a very young age, but many of the other knots shown I don't know how to tie and I figure I can practice tying them this winter in the evenings when I'm wishing it was warmer, dryer and not so dark outside

[turnershaven]

I, too have had a couple of tying emergencies and while I have not tried a panic snap I do know that a bowline is very good for getting you out of the way, since the end can be left farther away. Casey likes to nibble on the tie as well and has actually learned to untie a regular bowline, I now run the end of the lead thru the loop to keep him secure. I think I will try the panic snap too...
One comment about carrying a knife or keeping a knife handy, it should be sharp! a dull knife will slip , takes longer, keeping you in harms way longer and if it slips may do more harm than good, to you and your animal. Have learned this the hard way with my goats ouch! And yes, I do carry one at the farm and on the trail.

[kris10]

Another thing to consider if this this something that you really worry about, is the type of rope you use to tie your horse with. Some rope will cut quicker and easier than others. The cheap cotton and nylon ropes - not so great. Flat nylon ropes that look a bit like dog leashes, also not so great. Some of the newer-style "training" lead ropes that are made from the same type of rope used on boats is better. If you are really concerned, find a friend who mountain climbs, get some of their climbing rope that is no longer in use (serious climbers keep record of how, when, where and time on these ropes for obvious reasons) and make a lead rope from this. A taught rope (like between a tree and a horse freaking out) will take only the slightest cut from a sharp knife to to cut through.

[Joan Deutsch]

Thanks for the great info! Are there any recommendations on what kind of knife to buy -- other than a sharp one?

[cassyopia]

Thanks for the great info! Are there any recommendations on what kind of knife to buy -- other than a sharp one?

one that you can reach one handed and open with one hand that locks open just in case your other hand is caught in the problem or you for some reason are unable to use it. so if you can't open it with one hand don't buy it.