Buy yourselves a........

AdorableAlice

AdorableAlice

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Pocket knife and always have it on you when with your horses.

My 99p ancient knife saved Little Ted's life this morning.

It has rarely seen more action than bale opening and apple chopping in twenty plus years but without it this morning there would have been a needless tragedy.

All those of you without one, treat yourselves for Christmas, you never know when it will be the most useful bit of kit you could possibly need in a hurry !
 
i always carry a knife and it is unbelievable sharp,dont use it for anything that might blunt it but always there in my pocket just in case. :)
 
There's a story behind your post, AA, can we hear it?:)

Another for a pocket knife. Just make sure the blade is legal as these days I think a prison sentence is mandatory if it's not.

Buy one at your local iron mongers or sports retailer.

Mine is a Victorex pruning knife and the oil stone is not far from my chair.
 
Dry Rot said:
There's a story behind your post, AA, can we hear it?:)


There certainly is, Ted belongs to a stupid, slapdash and thoughtless owner.

I have taught him to tie up without any problems, always taking great care to ensure the length of rope is safe, the headcollar is leather and there is no chance of any mishaps. He has been living in his barn at night recently because his paddock is a swimming pool, and each morning he stands tied up quietly on the barn wall whilst I do his box. No big deal, but for those of you that know Ted's story, it is a very big deal.

This morning I cut corners, the leather headcollar was not on the peg, I put a cheap, thin nylon one on him because I was too idle to look for his own, I tied him up without checking the length of line was short enough to prevent him poking his head around the door frame to watch me in the barn.

He rubbed the front of his face on a door bolt, he trapped the thin nylon noseband of the headcollar underneath the metal plate that holds the bolt on, had I used the leather collar this could not have happened. Had I bothered to take more care tying him this would not have happened either. He panicked and snatched his head up, he was totally trapped, his hind feet shot forwards underneath him, the headcollar did not break and the rope was under no pressure because he was being held by the front of the noseband.

My six months of hard work with him left him able to trust me enough to cut him free and he is none the worse for his ordeal. It could have been a broken neck caused by needless lack of thought on my part. So always carry a knife and always engage my brain is my new year resolution. Poor Ted has come such a long way and tried so hard, I am furious with myself.
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This exact same thing happened to my horse. He was rubbing his nose on his stable door and managed to wedge the metal buckle of his nylon head collar under the metal edge of the door. He totally freaked out and broke the headcollar straight off.

Don't beat yourself up though. These freak accidents happen and it really isn't anyones fault. At least you were able to react without incident!

The other day I came across one of my liveries ponies caught on her hay net by the buckle of the front of her rug. Completely random event that might never happen again.
 
Having seen a few horses do versions of this with a headcollar or leadrope, I always have a penknife or large scissors within a few seconds reach.
Glad the horse is ok.
 
I always carry one of these

8819867844638_SAK_0_8883__S1_21377_eps_1.jpg


Except mine does not have the saw blade.
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/produc...ives-with-lock-blade-111-mm/Equestrian/0.8883
 
Glad everything ended well for Ted, good thing you were prepared :) I have a folding knife that is attached to my key ring, so long as they are sharp they don't have to be big. Never had to use it & thought I was a bit paranoid but your story will make us all think.
 
My life saving trusty pocket knife has been sharpened this morning and the OH pushed into action to check all door fitments and move some of the tie rings.

The episode made us realise that the ring Ted was on yesterday is too close to a door fitment. Live and learn I guess. Ted has a sore patch on his face but he tied up again this morning without a bother.

So forget the diamonds and perfume for christmas, all you need is a pocket knife !!
 
Horses are absolutely fantastic at teaching us we can never be complacent! Just because it's something you've used or done 1000 times does not mean a horse can't find some new inventive way of hurting themselves with it or getting stuck in it !!!

Great advice with the pen knife and also with the trust to stand and wait for you, we can't watch them 24 hours so learning that people will come and sort everything out calmly is great for all kinds of situations.
 
AA, I have done the same and was so annoyed at making such a stupid mistake but its easily done so don't beat yourself up about it. Ted sounds like a lucky horse!
 
well i always have a small pocket knife in my pocket and asked my friend who is a police officer if it was legal ? yes it is if you can prove you have it for a purpose (as in its a yard knife) .you obv cant walk around tesco with a knife! but if you are riding or wearing riding clothes or in the car coming or going to the yard you are fine. i used to keep my yard knife in my handbag and one day i went to the passport office -the security guys just kept it safe for me whilst i was inside :D and when i left they gave it back -no probs:D
 
Glad Ted is none the worse for his experience. No matter how careful you are they will always catch you out on the day you muck up. We've all had one of those moments!
OH is good at buying me lots of knives which live in boots/pockets/sheds. Very handy things. Last time I was stopped I had a couple on me - the policeman was funny until I said why and said that it wasn't an offensive weapon if there was genuine work etc reason for it.
 
I always have one in my pocket. Mine is mostly used for it's nail file as it is incredibly annoying and a bit painful for a nail to catch on something and snag.

Glad Ted is none the worse for wear AA.
 
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