Lead Ropes & Trailer Ties
- Frequently asked questions
- How can I tie my horse safely?
- Which lead rope is suitable for walking the horse?
- How do I put on the lead rein correctly?
How can I tie my horse safely?
In addition to a safe tie-up area that allows the horse to be secured correctly, is within sight of other horses and has a non-slip floor, it is equally important to tie up the horse correctly.
Before tying your horse, you should check the area where you are tying up your horse. The tying bar or ring should be firmly anchored; it should not be weak so that it loosens or falls off with a slight pull.
For tying, a lead rope is the correct choice. This has a panic snap at the other end, which you attach to the headcollar loop. If the horse panics and starts pulling on the rope, the panic snap can be easily loosened and the horse freed. Lead ropes with snap hooks are not suitable for tying. The material also plays an important role. The lead rope should be easy to knot or tie. At the same time, the knot in the rope should be easy to untie when pulled. So before buying or tying the horse, test whether the lead rope meets these requirements.
Finally, it comes down to the safety knot, which you should use without exception for tying.
For particularly fearful horses that regularly pull back on the tie rope, or for that extra bit of safety, we have safety pieces in our shop. These are secured between the lead rope and the tie up point and release under tension in an emergency.
Which lead rope is suitable for walking the horse?
When you take the horse to the field or for a walk, a lead rope with a snap hook is recommended. This is not as easy or quick to loosen as a panic snap, so that you do not lose your horse through an unintentional, jerky movement on the lead rope. If you have a very spooky horse or you need more safety distance for yourself, a lunge rein is preferable to a short lead rope.
Remember that for your own safety you should always wear gloves when leading your horse. There can always be a situation where the horse spooks, pulls violently on the lead rope and pulls it through your hands. Without gloves you can get painful burns on the palms of your hands.
In our shop you will find a wide range of lead ropes in many colours and designs. You can match your lead rope to the colour of your headcollar or to the collection of your horse's outfit. With many designs you can choose between a panic snap or a snap hook.
How do I put on the lead rein correctly?
A lead rein can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used either to control a strong horse or for fine communication. Depending on the purpose, it can be fastened or hooked on differently.
If you want to slow down a strong horse, it is advisable to hook the lead rein under the chin:
- Thread the rein through the ring of the noseband, from the outside to the inside.
- Pass it under the chin
- When it reaches the other ring, thread it from the inside to the outside.
- Fasten the snap hook into the eyelet between the rein and the rope.
Furthermore, the lead rein can be clipped over the bridge of the nose to refine the communication. This type of buckling is often used with strong horses, but it is rather impractical. The resulting pull of the chain on the bridge of the nose causes the headcollar to slip, eventually rendering the effect null and void. However, signals can be sent more finely with the lead rein over the nose, provided the horse already reacts appropriately and is attentive.
Under no circumstances should lead rein be pulled through the mouth to restrain strong horses. The rein links can pinch the corners of the mouth or the tongue and cause serious injuries.