Sideline Hobble Question

[endlessclimb]

I am familiar with standard hobbling. Both of my current horses are hobble broke. I hobble for many reasons - patience, to curb stall walking, curb pacing while tied, to prevent fence wrecks, etc.

I am interested in sideline hobbling my mare who has learned how to hobble run, and have a question.

I understand the premise of the sideline, but what prevents a wreck if the non-hobbled hind leg crosses over the sideline rope? Do they just work it out? I could see a front leg rarely crossing over, and even if it does can be figured out quickly - but the hind leg, I don’t quite get it. It also seems like if a horse were to try to kick out with it on, the front pastern is going to take a decent blow.

Anyone with experience with sideline hobbling that could give me some pointers? Thanks!

[Aces_N_Eights]

Thats the purpose of a sideline. They pull on themselves.

Teach them to wear the sideline on both sides and be completely comfortable with the sidelines before you use it with the regular front hobbles. Never had an issue with a wreck.
As a side note I also teach a horse to hobble in the rear like the fronts.

Teach your horse to ground tie in conjunction of hobbling to reinforce that hobbling means “whoa” plant their feet.

[endlessclimb]

I understand they are to pull on themselves, and don’t have an issue with that in the slightest. It’s the action of the unhobbled hind leg crossing over the rope, causing a “sweeping” motion that brings me pause. Have you ever seen one do that? Do they just work it out?

The mare is a OTTB, off the track for a year now. I ride hunter/jumper, but have my base in western/general horsemanship. This little lady has a lot of separation anxiety, and a lot of athleticism. She hobble runs with ease. Ground tying and standing-still hobbling lasts as long as you are within sight. Leave her alone, even for 60 seconds, even if you’re just around the corner, and she begins cavorting around to see what her buddies are doing. If you are within sight, even an acre away, she won’t move a muscle.

Irritating, but funny. Little turd.

[Aces_N_Eights]

On occasion I’ve seen them do it but it doesn’t cause a problem, in my experience. Simply due to the fact that I’ve used the sidelines on each side and taught them to hobble front and back. Not claim g to be an expert on the subject as I don’t use a sideline that much but I do hobble a lot.

Another option for a horse who only hobbled or ground ties when you’re in eye sight. Teach them to picket by a foot to reinforce the hobbling/ground tying. I’ve also tied the lead rope to the front hobbled sometimes that’s enough or learn to tie a hind leg up.
The methods are old school and I may receive some flack for it but if the horse is prepared and done correctly there shouldn’t be any issues with safety.

[Aces_N_Eights]

I understand what it is like to have a horse who is good at running with hobbles…lol.
I wish you luck!