Tying a horse in trailer, or not

[Scribbler]

Hmmm. My fire extinguisher is in the truck. I should have a second one in the trailer.

As far as knives, what should I have for horse and trailer emergencies? I have cheap Walmart paring knives and kitchen scissors stashed around. They would cut twine but probably not leather.

Totally true about the differences between Western and English ground training. I like to trailer out to a park trail system that starts at a cross country field, so we see a lot of different kinds of horses unloading. The Western ones are a real inspiration.

[aucowwy]

I use the blocker ties. That way if they slip the rope releases.

[Guilherme]

@Scribbler

Hmmm. My fire extinguisher is in the truck. I should have a second one in the trailer.

That would not be a bad idea. You can have a truck problem independent of the trailer. And it would give you a “second shot” if the two are together.

As far as knives, what should I have for horse and trailer emergencies? I have cheap Walmart paring knives and kitchen scissors stashed around. They would cut twine but probably not leather.

Go to a good sporting goods store (or specialty knife shop like Smokey Mountain Knife Works or Atlanta Cutlery) and buy a stout bladed folding knife. On the trail I sometimes carry either a Buck Folding Hunter or, if I’m in a historical kit, a 12" Bowie knife. That last item sometimes attracts attention! Final item I always carry is a Gerber Tool Equestrian knife (not made anymore, sadly). The Swiss Army folks also make an Equestrian knife but it’s not nearly as useful as the Gerber.

I routinely carry a Swiss Army Knife (Spartan model) all the time and try and keep the blade sharp.

The Spartan is in my pocket, the Gerber on my belt. The Buck can be on the belt, in a pocket, or in my boot in small “boot holster” I made. Many women (like my wife) wear riding breeches that don’t have a belt and thus have a problem with a carry location. My answer: get out your needle and thread and add belt loops for a 1" leather or web belt. This will also give you an excellent place to carry your cell phone. And don’t talk to me about “style” or “heaviness” or “danger” other such nonsense 'cause I won’t listen. After more than 30 years of messing with horses I’ve never been injured or had my pants pulled off by my belt knife when properly stowed!!!

Totally true about the differences between Western and English ground training. I like to trailer out to a park trail system that starts at a cross country field, so we see a lot of different kinds of horses unloading. The Western ones are a real inspiration.

There are plenty of dolts in Western saddles, as there are in English (and Aussie and endurance and treeless and so on). It’s true that some traditions emphasize ground work as a basis for saddle work and others spend virtually no time on ground work and just saddle up and go. Think the idiocy called “The Road To The Horse.” I just got some photos of some newly born Marchador foals wearing halters within two weeks of birth. Those folks DO spend time on ground work.

The Object of the Exercise is to be able to free an entangled horse without subjecting the human to an unreasonable risk of injury. A sharp knife, like those described above, WILL quickly and cleanly cut leather, nylon, or cotton leads. Don’t leave home without it!!!

G.

P.S. I always carry the Spartan 'cause it has a corkscrew!!!

[tabula_rashah]

Straight load or slant load single stall, I tie. And use breakaway. Only time I use breakaway stuff because for the most part it just encourages horses to you know, breakaway Box stall set up, I leave loose. When at all possible, I try to haul in box stall set ups.