stangs
Well-Known Member
Cross ties make it a little harder for a horse to turn around and bite you. However, the problem in that scenario is the horse wanting to bite you, and not the cross ties.
Putting a horse in cross-ties
- Thread starter Marigold4
- Start date
Lois Lame
Well-Known Member
Thank you Cortez and Stangs.
I probably sound like a nuff nuff with my question, but the reason I asked is because I thought that horses living in stalls in American barns lived in narrow, very confined conditions and were continually in cross ties. I'm relieved this isn't the case.
I probably sound like a nuff nuff with my question, but the reason I asked is because I thought that horses living in stalls in American barns lived in narrow, very confined conditions and were continually in cross ties. I'm relieved this isn't the case.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
No, the word "stall" used in the US doesn't mean what it does over here, it's a loose box - often a lot bigger than the standard 12 X 12 feet .
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Horses that live in stalls are generally "log and rope" tied, where there is a long enough rope to allow the horse to lie down, but it runs through an eye/hook/ hole and has a log attached to the end which drops down to take up the slack when the horse is standing. It's a very old fashioned system now, generally only seen in riding schools when the horse are in for the day and turned out again at night.
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Lois Lame
Well-Known Member
I see. But (I do ask a lot of questions) they are tied because there is no front to the stall? That must be the case, otherwise they wouldn't need tying. Sorry, I know I sound a hopeless case.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Theyre tied because there's no back, and UK stalls are too narrow to safely turn round. They are a space saving device.
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Cortez
Tough but Fair
Not at all, questions are how we learn. There is a front to the stall, but often not a back - it's usually open, hence why they're tied at the front.
Carrottom
Well-Known Member
I don't think I've seen it mentioned up thread so will say that vets have horses with injuries such as leg fractures cross tied to prevent them from lying down.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Yes, sometimes, or in slings, but we're really discussing the day to day routine use of crossties and/or tieing to a single point.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
And another advantage is usually there’s a wall behind the horse .
that means the horse is much likely to stand if it’s not good at being tied up it’s much less likely to pull back and damage it’s poll if it moves forward it’s stopped by nose pressure from the head collar.
that means the horse is much likely to stand if it’s not good at being tied up it’s much less likely to pull back and damage it’s poll if it moves forward it’s stopped by nose pressure from the head collar.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
I’m really surprised that cross ties are seen negatively. I’ve used them at stables with an overhang and pillar because otherwise there was a risk the horse could try and spin through the gap and get stuck with the pillar. Granted I never did them tight so maybe my opinion is skewed but I didn’t really notice any difference between the cross ties and a single rope in terms of freedom for the horse.
SheriffTruman
Well-Known Member
I only use the cross ties when I need my horse in the inner stable corridor. For instance, when it is pouring outside. If I don't cross tie, he eats the carrots, and hay, that are in the other horse's mangers. YO fills them in the morning when the herd is out. (My horse lives in an outer stable.) If I use cross ties, I attach them to the upper buckles of the halter, so he can more easily lower his head. He can still move about quite a lot.
He is very clear about what he does, and does not like. I pay attention to him regardless of the set-up. That said, I'm not overly fond of cross ties so tend to avoid. For no sensible reason, just a preference. So most of the time I groom him outside, on a single rope.
He is very clear about what he does, and does not like. I pay attention to him regardless of the set-up. That said, I'm not overly fond of cross ties so tend to avoid. For no sensible reason, just a preference. So most of the time I groom him outside, on a single rope.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I'm not a fan of always tying horses up to do everything with them. Cross ties are just that extra bit of restraint. I would love to see just how many horses would walk away from their tack if they were given the chance. Mine walks away from grooming brushes, so I have given up brushing him.
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Hallo2012
Well-Known Member
i have cross ties and a straight tie, and after reading a few bits on here about cross ties keeping heads unnaturally high and preventing them relaxing i have been using the straight tie only.
i have to say they stand squarer, with a soft neck and better engaged thoracic sling on the single straight tie.
i do often also mess around loose in the stable and they stand nicely relaxed for that too, i think it was YCBM who pointed out if they turn away loose all the time its a bad sign!
i would probably still cross tie if i had to clip or tub an abscess on my own etc as it does add another layer of you will stand still help when you are short of hands!
i have to say they stand squarer, with a soft neck and better engaged thoracic sling on the single straight tie.
i do often also mess around loose in the stable and they stand nicely relaxed for that too, i think it was YCBM who pointed out if they turn away loose all the time its a bad sign!
i would probably still cross tie if i had to clip or tub an abscess on my own etc as it does add another layer of you will stand still help when you are short of hands!
Starzaan
Well-Known Member
I use cross ties a lot. I have them in the wash boxes, use them for tacking up and grooming, and mostly they’re used for rehab work. If I’m changing a dressing, poulticing, cleaning a wound etc. cross ties make my life much easier as I can move around without the horse standing on my pile of dressings so easily.
I don’t cross tie for pelvic injuries or broken legs, I have a few boxes designed for this so they are almost like stalls. Horses face the window so they can look out at the world, munch their haylage, and drink, but they can’t turn round or lie down. They heal much faster, and are much less likely to develop stress induced laminitis this way.
One of my most hard and fast rules is that nothing is done with horses in their stables unless they are on totally strict box rest. Their boxes are their space, they get to relax, eat, sleep and know they will never be bothered by people while in there. It’s ‘sacred space’ on my yard.
I think cross ties are fantastic, but as with anything in the equine industry, if you behave like a pillock, it will go wrong.
I don’t cross tie for pelvic injuries or broken legs, I have a few boxes designed for this so they are almost like stalls. Horses face the window so they can look out at the world, munch their haylage, and drink, but they can’t turn round or lie down. They heal much faster, and are much less likely to develop stress induced laminitis this way.
One of my most hard and fast rules is that nothing is done with horses in their stables unless they are on totally strict box rest. Their boxes are their space, they get to relax, eat, sleep and know they will never be bothered by people while in there. It’s ‘sacred space’ on my yard.
I think cross ties are fantastic, but as with anything in the equine industry, if you behave like a pillock, it will go wrong.
HashRouge
Well-Known Member
Surely cross ties only do that if you have them positioned too high or have them too short for the horse to relax? As with using a lead rope to tie up, you can make the decision to have your cross ties shorter or longer - they don't automatically hold the horse's head in an unnatural position.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
My horse was cross tied for grooming and general handling as a young horse, it was just standard practice at the stud he was born.
I tried to do it with my then mare, who gave the offside rope a very old fashioned look, but I admit I haven't got a good set up.
I tried to do it with my then mare, who gave the offside rope a very old fashioned look, but I admit I haven't got a good set up.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Yep. Common sense should dictate how long and at what height you anchor your cross ties.
First Frost
Well-Known Member
I have access to cross ties and ordinary tying points. My cross ties are under an archway in the yard, so get used when it's wet. They are also used for the farrier, bathing ( they are near the tap) clipping ( they are near the electricity point). My horses are happy to either cross tie or normal tie. I like the cross ties because i can move around the horse more easily.
I don't do anything in the stable except give my horses a cuddle!
Occasionally I double up with the horses in the cross ties when it's pouring with rain and I've got two to get ready. My horses get very well and stand perfectly!
I don't do anything in the stable except give my horses a cuddle!
Occasionally I double up with the horses in the cross ties when it's pouring with rain and I've got two to get ready. My horses get very well and stand perfectly!
Starzaan
Well-Known Member
I shall pm you ?
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
The stud where my horse was born is very much modelled on an American system.
The horses had looseboxes. They were not tied up in the loose box, for grooming, etc. they were led out of the stable and into the grooming area, where they were cross tied between 2 pillars. There were chains covered so they couldn't get a hold with their teeth, and with "panic" fastenings so they could be released quickly if necessary.
There was the grooming equipment, and hot and cold water and they stood on a non-slip mat.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I rarely tie up and I have never either had or used cross ties in my life.
They are loose in their stable (or the yard) and I do everything loose. Groom, trim their feet, saddle up and anything else. Today my horse was loose in his stable, no headcollar, vet was on one side taking stitches out of his eye and I stood on the other and stroked his neck. He had been stabled for 11 days and nights after his operation. There was no reason for him to behave any differently as he had been taught to stand still whilst being dealt with. Far from walking away from the vet he was all over her afterwards telling her how good she had been.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I have never understood this. Why shouldn't they be bothered by people or why would they have any problem relaxing if people were in their stable? Surely if horses are well handled and happy they should be happy with people around them anywhere.
As I said in my earlier post my horse had an op. 11 days ago. He started rubbing his head which had to be stopped so we took it in turns to live in his stable with him 24 hours a day. Far from being bothered he loved it. We spent the nights with me wrapped in endless blankets shivering in the cold and him asleep with his head in my hands on my lap. Other times he would rest a hind leg and just fall asleep a few inches away from me in my chair. Any of the others would have done the same. I have always found that poorly horses do in fact draw a lot of comfort from someone in their stable.
Starzaan
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's a terrible thing if people do things with their horses in their boxes, but it isn't for me. Just personal preference.
I also have a LOT of ‘poorly’ horses as I specialise in rehab, they like company but they also like things to watch. They all have windows, and can look into the barn too so they have plenty to watch.
I do skip out at 10pm, with them in their boxes, and I often sit down with my boys for a cuddle when they're lying down, but in terms of grooming, tacking up, treatments etc? I just don't like them done in stables.
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ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
100%with you on both those posts Paddy
paddy555
Well-Known Member
thanks, thought it was just me. Or possibly it is only the 2 of us
Hallo2012
Well-Known Member
its impossible to have them long enough they can drop the head to wither height and really relax unless they are very long and as being as mine are both entire, long ropes and stampy legs are not a good combo.
on the straight tie it can be short enough they cant get a leg over but long enough to allow a neck to drop down nicely.
my 4yo is much more relaxed on one tie than cross ties.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
No it's not. I've never tied a horse, either on single or cross ties, with it's head higher than wither height.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
I don‘t particularly like them. Okay in purpose built stall for washing or heat lamps. I don’t really have anywhere to tie to so generally done in stable. Don’t think it interrupts his me time too much.