String - is it really safe?

[milesjess]

Just wondering...

I was always taught when tying a horse up to tie the lead rope through bale string so it snaps easily it an emergency.

So after two incidents I'd like people's thoughts. Do you use it? Is it actually safe?

I know there are now properly designed 'ties' you can buy from derby house etc... Anyone use these?

Incident 1 -

I had an old loan horse tied up, using bale string. Horse spooked, jumped back and my lead rope actually snapped in half. Bale string just remained attached to metal ring. Horse was fine

Incident 2 -

My own horse tied up using same method. Shot up when I went to brush his face (first time ever, rather unlike him but these things happen). Nothing snapped and bale string remained unbroken. Luckily he's very voice responsive and calmed down quickly.

So both times I expected it to snap it hasn't done so.

Discuss

 

[dreamcometrue]

Baler twine is very strong. You need to just use a few strands of it rather than the full thickness.

 

[milesjess]

Dreamcometrue - that makes sense, thanks

 

[laura7981]

Yeah I always just use half the thickness of the string

 

[SuperCoblet]

Newer twine is now nylon, which is very strong and will not break. Either do as suggested above, get a knife as if you were cutting it and make it a breaking point of maybe half the thickness. Or buy the proper ties, which I find very good!

 

[Auslander]

Using baler twine to tie up to is a hangover to the days before it was nasty thick plastic stuff. I'd never tie a horse to baler twine nowadays - it's lethal!
I use extra thick ropes and tie direct to the ring. If anything happens, the thicker ropes come undone with one yank.

Im not a fan of leaving a horse tied up alone -most of mine were taught to ground tie, so would stand happily for hours with the rope on the floor. Anything that didn't went back in the stable if I needed to go and get tack/go for a wee/make a coffee

 

[diet2ride]

I've tried both of the tie styles and wouldn't recommend either. Nas just ate the first one, soft rubber is too tempting & the others that look kind of like a bangle had no resistance whatsoever, typically I found this out the day the yard gate was open for the farrier.

 

[Goldenstar]

I use those webbing ties that fasten with Velcro they work well don't unfasten to quick if a naughty brat try's it out.
On bailer string if you only tie on a few strands it's ok but I prefer those Velcro things even though buying them is painfull.

 

[Feathered]

My cob routinely snaps baler twine... But then she is an equine bulldozer.

 

[starryeyed]

We always cut into it quite a bit so that they break easily, but have been meaning to get the "proper" horsey ties for a while.

 

[Piglet]

The older style binder twine would break under pressure but as said in previous posts, the new stuff is nylon. Personally I use a elastic rope with a quick release clip

 

[tallyho!]

The natural twine is better if you can get it.

 

[smokey]

Using baler twine to tie up to is a hangover to the days before it was nasty thick plastic stuff. I'd never tie a horse to baler twine nowadays - it's lethal!
I use extra thick ropes and tie direct to the ring. If anything happens, the thicker ropes come undone with one yank.

Im not a fan of leaving a horse tied up alone -most of mine were taught to ground tie, so would stand happily for hours with the rope on the floor. Anything that didn't went back in the stable if I needed to go and get tack/go for a wee/make a coffee

I also tie direct to the ring, after my horse pulled back and snapped her lead rope because the twine didnt break. Like you, I dont leave her unattended, and I often just loop her rope through the ring without tying, thats usually enough to keep her standing. If I do tie, its a quick release and undoes with one pull

 

[Lexie81]

I have recently gone off using baler twine after a few near misses with my horse and others I've seen on the yard. I have used to equi-tie things and they are pretty good, although my last horse who used to regularly pull backwards quickly learned to get herself loose with it! Prefer them to twine though...

 

[Arizahn]

Hippo snaps string as if it was tissue!

Thankfully, she rarely spooks when tied - pretty much has to be a bird flying into her head to provoke any reaction. But she has gotten through a fair amount of string, chiefly when faced with the evil hosepipe of doom...easier to hold her with one hand than tie her up to rinse her hooves.

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Our girl will wander off if there's half a chance she isn't tied up properly
However in the past, she has actually dislodged a concreted metal post rather than snapping the twine so it just shows how strong it is (and how weak the concrete had become! ). Her leadrope snapped in the end.
I just use enough thickness to make it strong but not the whole thickness now
K X

 

[Montyforever]

I've had the same problem with twine, my mare panicked, pulled back and the entire wall came down instead of the twine breaking she managed to kick it off as she bolted but her leadrope snapped not the twine ..
She's still unable to be tied up 3 years later as she had such a scare

 

[Suzie G]

We had nylon twine in the trailer, tied pony up, he decided he wasn't staying in the trailer and before we cud get the back up, he leaned back and string snapped like it should. Worked fine for us.
Note to self.....get back of trailer up quicker

 

[Arizahn]

We had nylon twine in the trailer, tied pony up, he decided he wasn't staying in the trailer and before we cud get the back up, he leaned back and string snapped like it should. Worked fine for us.
Note to self.....get back of trailer up quicker

Pony: Freedom is mine!!! Lol!

 

[HollyhedgePippa]

I use the twine as it is when around bales of hay... My mare has no problem snapping it... Infact everytime she freaked it snapped...

 

[madmav]

In the bad old 70s and 80s, horses were always tied directly to the ring with lead-rope. And we clipped lead rope on to horse's bit if they were left tied up when tacked up. Bad owners.

 

[Auslander]

In the bad old 70s and 80s, horses were always tied directly to the ring with lead-rope. And we clipped lead rope on to horse's bit if they were left tied up when tacked up. Bad owners.

Didn't pull back more than once though - did they!

I worked on a very well known and respected stud (in the UK), where all the stallions were racked up for a couple of hours each day, using chains clipped to the tie rings. It was done to make sure they had a bit of quiet time during the breeding season, when they used to charge round their stables like loonies every time a mare so much as breathed within 50 yards of them. You could see them visibly relax when they were racked up - afternoon nap time!!

 

[starry94]

I've seen some horses that have panicked and it has snapped, but then i have seen some where it hasnt snapped and they have ended up pulling the metal ring out of the wall..

 

[Tnavas]

Baler twine for tying up was originally made of sizel so broke reasonably easily. The synthetic baler twine needs to be split into two - or go to a good hardwear store and buy some real sizel string and use a few pieces.

I use a log for mine - the type we used decades ago when horses were kept 24/7 in stalls rather than a loosebox.

It allows them a bit more freedom and they don't often pull back on it.

 

[Suzie G]

Pony: Freedom is mine!!! Lol!

He went straight back in, he was just letting us know he cud do it, naughty boy

 

[cheeryplatypus]

No
Farrier found my pony lying on his side as he managed to get in a tangle and the string didn't break. I always use the elastic safety ties now.

 

[MrsElle]

I split the twine, just a few strands is enough for the ponies to know they are tied up but I know it will break if needed.

 

[EPRider]

I use a loop of knicker elastic on the back ring of the headcollar and clip the lead rope to that to tie up with. That way when they break loose they are not chased around by the rope turned into a snake.

 

[RubysGold]

I bought one of those ties, where it clips into itself and its stretchy, mine was yellow
My young horse thought it was great fun to stretch it away from the wall and then release the pressure and stretch it agian. The bailer twine, he stands quietly
But I do make sure its a thinner piece of twine

 

[Kokopelli]

My lad snaps bailer twine all the time (bloody nuissence) so if I forked out £5 for one of those equities I would single handily be keeping the company in business.

I do have one in the trailer though as he doesn't frighten himself and pull back in there.