Simple parts of your day are much more complex when you have a pet. This especially rings true when you have a horse, one of the most accident prone flight animals I have ever worked with. When you combine over 1000 pounds of strength with the tendency to panic and bolt, your reflexes need to be sharp and your methods need to be efficient. One of the most important things I learned as a child was how to tie a horse properly. Yes, just a knot around a tree or a post isn't good enough. Why, you may ask? Because if your horse panics and tries to break away, you may be left with a broken post, or worse, a horse's broken neck. So how do we make sure this doesn't happen? 

If you ever attended scouts, you may be familar with a quick release knot. This is essential l when tying a horse - if they need to be free, all you have to do is pull the loose end, and the rope is completely free. As the linked diagram states, this is also referred to as a farrier's knot or a bank robber's knot. It is specifically designed for a secure hold, but a quick getaway, and was often used in times when horses were primarily a mode of transportation and were stolen. 

How else are you tying your hose in ways that are dangerous? Cross ties are a big one. I've seen many a horse rip a tie clean out of the wall because of panic. If you're lucky, all you have is a chunk missing from your barn wall. If you're not lucky, you have an injured horse. A simple way to fix this problem is to tie balers twine to the end of the cross tie, then attach it to your wall. When the horse breaks the cross tie, the balers twine will snap and your barn is still in one piece. This method can also be used on hitching posts and other methods of tying a horse instead of a quick release knot. 

How have you been tying your horse? Could you take more steps to ensure their safety? 

xo, A & P