I use a high line usually, but have also tied to the trailer overnight when there was not place to high line.
You can get all the stuff you need for high lining from Hill View Farms (under the Hardware & Rigging link) and they have some invaluable information on their website about it. The website is a bit hard to navigate, though, I’ll admit. They also have the trailer high ties.
For one horse you need 30’ of picket line rope (I bought 50’ in case I needed to tie two horses), tree savers, two horse positioners, a lead that ties to the positioner, a hay net, and possibly the rope cleat (I can’t tie worth a darn despite rope classes so it’s worth it to me!).
I prefer to use the rope Horse Positioner with the ring rather than the metal No-Knot positioners. You can put the rope ones on when the line is already up and move them about easily. You can also set it to allow the horse to move on the line or make it static. Use one for your hay net, too.
As for using a lead to tie, I prefer to use HVF’s Picket lead/cross tie with safety snaps on both ends. It is adjustable and doesn’t have a loop like a regular cross tie would.
I prefer a rope hay net rather than the canvas ones as they hold more hay and it doesn’t all end up on the ground so easy. For water, I use the 12 gal TubTrugs, they can get stepped on and hold their shape. Feed goes in flat Rubbermaid feed pans.
I have maybe $100 into a set-up for two horses and it fits into a pretty small tote.
I definitely tested my horse at home. I was able to set up the high line in my barn (old tobacco barn) and I would bring the horse in and put her on the tie and feed her there in a flat ground feeder and give her a hay net and make her hang out while I did stuff around the barn.
Sorry if I sound like a walking advert for HVF, but they made it really easy for this novice to get into camping out with the horse when I had no one around to take me under their wing.
