Whenever a horse is tethered, it is important to use a quick release knot so that if the horse pulls back, or gets caught up, the knot can be quickly undone.
Difficulty Level:
medium
Time Required:
Five minutes
Here’s
How:
- Lead your horse to the ring or strong post that you intend to tether him to, wearing a halter and lead rope.
- Take the end of the rope and feed it through the ring, or around the rail.
- Hold both sections of the rope in your left hand.
- With your right hand, take a section of the tail end of the rope and make a fold in it.
- Cross the fold (which in knot language is called the bight) over the two ropes you are holding in your left hand.
- Bring the bight up through the middle of the loop you have just formed.
- Grab the tip of the bight with your right hand and pull, tightening the knot.
- To undo the quick release knot, pull on the loose end and the knot will come undone.
- If your horse has a tendancy to undo the knot on his own, pass the end of the rope loosely through the bight.
Tips:
- Horses should be tethered to a ring in the wall, or a strong rail at about the level of the horse’s wither or slightly higher.
- Tie the horse so that he can hold his head normally, too loose and he will be able to lower his head and possibly get his leg over the rope.
