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Tie a Quick-Release Knot
Here’s how to secure your horse in the trailer with a knot you can quickly untie in case of emergency. Story and photos by Michelle Anderson
If you choose to tie your horse in the trailer, or need to tie him outside of the trailer, be sure to use a quick-release knot. Here’s one that’s fast to tie, easy to undo, and safe.
In an emergency situation, a firm tug on the end of the lead rope will untie the knot and free a panicked or trapped horse. Practice these five steps until tying the knot becomes second nature to you.
Step 1. Loop the tail end Step 2. Pinch A and B Step 3. With your left hand, Step 4. Push the tail of the lead rope over a together in your right make a loop with B. end of B around the hitching rail, around a hand. pinched-together porsturdy post, or through a tions of A and B. Creating tie ring. Think of the end a second loop with the of the rope hooked to the tail end of B. Pull the new halter as “A” and the tail The point of a quick-release knot is that it’s easy loop through the original end of the rope “B.” to untie. But just as a quick-release is easy for you loop. to undo, some horses also quickly figure out how to release a knot by pulling at the tail-end of the rope with their mouths, leaving you with a loose horse. To prevent a potential problem, you can lock the quick release knot by putting the tail end of the rope through the knot’s loop. Then, if your horse pulls on the tail end of the rope, he’ll just tighten the knot rather than setting himself free. However, you’ll need to pull the tail end back out of the loop to make it once Step 5. Tighten the knot by again a true quick-release knot. pulling on A.
Lock That Knot
USRider® Equestrian Traveler’s Companion
6
Fall 2021
