cross ties and hardware

[ayrabz]

Well, I know the best scenario is a cemented post, and eyebolt drilled entirely thru with washer and nut…

and, I’ll be doing that in the location I have those posts.

but, IF you have to mount a ring plate/etc…because its a post where you cannot ‘drill all the way through’, or a wood lined wall area for the same reason, can you suggest what you feel is the best ring plate (and what type size screws? to use?)

I have my outdoor washrack area I have my posts for, and I have some posts/some walls I can use ‘indoor’ but can’t drill all the way thru the outside metal building…

I’m ready for some cross ties !

(oh, and in addition: please add your preferred height to hang, or your preferred height ‘equation’ based on horse…I have a mini I want some ‘mini ties’ put on same locales below the big ponies ones up top. )

Thanks soooo much!

[Frog_Pond]

I just use the cheap ring-on-a-plate from the feed store and screwed them into the wood lined wall in my aisle at 7’. It’s a small barn and this is the only place to put cross-ties. I use the velcro breakaway kind of cross tie, and they ‘break’ open without putting much stress on the screw. That was the plan, and it turns out to be true.

I tried coming up with a way to make mini-cross ties, but, everything failed. My guy is somewhere between untrained and feral, on the behavior spectrum, and could spin his little body around and make a noose, or wrap his snout in the ties, no matter what I tried. I bought one of the trailer ties with velcro innards, and tie him to the wall in the aisle, and that’s working well. I’m teaching him to stand tied, and I feel like this is a good safety precaution, since he’s clearly unconvinced about the whole idea! Good luck!

[gumtree]

The way I see it is far cheaper to replace a screw eye then it is to replace a broken halter. So, IMO and experience a simple screw eye is all that is needed. They don’t pull out that easily anyway depending on the wood. IMO and experience the “cross ties” should not be securely attached directly to the screw eye or whatever it is being used. At least not at both ends. IMO there should be something that will break before the halter will and or what it is attached too. I use baling twine. Hemp not nylon. I am not a big fan of the standard “quick release” that come with most cross ties. They are a PITA to secure to the halter with one hand. Unless they are kept well lubed they are not exactly “quick release” when under tension/loaded by a horse who spooked at something who just getting the “hang” of cross ties. Prefer to make a loop out of baling twine and attach a double ended snap link to that and the other end to the quick release. Mush easier to attach one handed to the halter and you still have the benefit of the quick release if needed. If you use the “shear link” baling twine on the post side of the cross tie you run the risk of the horse become more “spooked” when it breaks under tension and snapping back at the horse making things worse. Or both breaking and dangling on the horse also making things worse. This set up has worked well for me over the years.

[Jim_in_PA]

I agree with Gumtree. And use a beefy screw eye with deep threads…and a properly sized pilot hole. If you use Equiping or a loop of baler twine as a “fuse” you shouldn’t have issue with the eyes coming out of your posts.

[Simkie]

My idiot horses have set back HARD on a tie plate with four screws and it’s not budged. If my experience is any sign, those things can really stand a lot of pull without failing.

They’re just the “standard” ring/plate thing with four maybe 1" or 1 1/2" screws. They’re installed maybe 6’ up in my stalls. I single tie to them.

[Frog_Pond]

Ayrabz, if you figure out how to cross tie a mini in a 12’ aisle, please come back here and tell us how, please!

[ToTheNines]

All of my cross ties have a Blocker tie ring on one side. The lead rope attaches to that, and slides if the horse pulls back.

I also have halters with leather crowns, and I suppose I could put a Blocker tie on both sides of the cross-ties, but the one Blocker seems to provide all the give I ever need.