Advice from those whose neds live out 24/7

[Salcey]

For the first time ever my horses are out 24/7 until November. This is possible as I've managed to rent 2 acres for the summer in the next village which is great. There is no field shelter but that doesn't matter as theres tons of trees and hedging. The gate to the field is prehistoric which is not a problem security wish as they kept well away from the entrance.
However at the moment there is absolutely nothing to tie up to whilst we groom or tack up (would normally use the gate) so we make do by tying to various branches. Fine for the sensible one who just stands still but the youngster keeps snapping them and b**ggering off across the field which she thinks is a great game.
How does everyone else manage?

 

[rema]

How about fixing a couple of tie rings to the gate posts,then attatch some bailer twine to the tie rings.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

What sort of fencing is it? Could you whack some fence posts into the ground just the other side of the fencing, and tie to that? What about tieing to the uprights which support the gate? If your horses don't rub, you could erect a tieing up bar in the field. What will you do when the farrier comes!?

 

[Salcey]

The gate posts wiggle so think a pulling back horse could do serious damage to them.

The field is next to a railway line (we are situated deep down in a cutting hence being so sheltered) so the fence is concrete posts with steel wire, although not much is exposed due to hawthorn hedging hence the problem.
If I sank a couple of fence posts would they be stable enough to tie to?

 

[kerilli]

i'd put a brand new fully mesh gate on the field, and tie (to baler twine loops) to that.
if you sink posts in, there's always the chance that the horse might injure itself on the posts at night.
or, get a mobile shelter and use it as a stable/tie-up place.

 

[RachelB]

Stick a few posts in the ground and add some tie rings and twine - hey presto!

On a very serious note please please do NOT tie anything to a gate - a friend of mine's horse pulled back and took the entire gate with her, smashing her front legs up as she galloped off up the field (or attempted to). Twine doesn't always break and gates don't always stay on their hinges!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

If you did a bit of tidying up of the hedge, could you not tie string/twine to the concrete posts or the wire, and them tie up to that? An hours work with a set of garden shears would probably sort it out!

 

[jellyshake]

2 posts with a length of 2"x2" across top and another bar half way down and 2 tie up rings attatched to top bar

nice bum scratching post for horses as well as tie up station lol. thats what we have, and if you you have one that messes about fence yourself off a little area around it with plastic posts and leccy tape

 

[ISHmad]

Please don't use bailer twine to tie up with. It doesn't always break as sadly a friend found to her horror when her horse broke his neck panicking. Use Equities instead which will snap in an emergency.

Sorry, bailer twine is a real pet hate of mine.

 

[JessPickle]

[ QUOTE ]
Please don't use bailer twine to tie up with. It doesn't always break as sadly a friend found to her horror when her horse broke his neck panicking. Use Equities instead which will snap in an emergency.

Sorry, bailer twine is a real pet hate of mine.

[/ QUOTE ]

mine regularly breaks bailer twine when tied up, when hungry, when just bored!!! an Equitie is actually more dangerous for him as he would be loose on the yard constantly!

The trick is to use half thickness bailer twine so tear it in half before using it

 

[merlinsquest]

Make an electric fencing coral around the area you eventually tie up in...... Merlin has discovered that breaking free is of limited fun when you can only get 15 feet away from your owner"!!!!!

 

[nuffield]

Baler twine [sisel] to the gate ost, or make a hitching rail [2 posts and 1 rail] and tie them to that

 

[Chumsmum]

I've made a hitching post and put some slabs down as a mini hardstanding - this is sectioned off with electric fencing.

 

[ladyt25]

I always split the baler twine when tying one of mine up cos he's neurotic and can panic easily and if only using 2 or 3 threads of the twine it breaks easily (but he can feel enough tension the rest of the time not to constantly do it!)

 

[Salcey]

chumsmum was is 2 x 2 that you made your hitching post from. Hadn't thought about the hardstanding but slabs are a good idea.
I have never had a problem with baler twine although I always tend to fray it out and split it.

merlinsQuest I've already got started on that one hopefully the youngster will realise its not so much fun too.

 

[jes_nibley]

I have baler twine tied to the A-bar on the front of my land rover.
My fences are either inaccessable due to trees / brambles / hedges or are old barbed wire until I sort it all out - making slow progress but progress nonetheless!
I too, had the problem of where can I tie them and didn't want to knock fence posts in that could then be in the way. I know it's not ideal and I'm sure someone will shoot me down but it's worked for well over a year and means that there is always a fresh supply of grass to eat when tied up and the area never gets too trodden up!