Posted 2007-10-21 4:53 PM (#69719) Subject: Tie or Not To Tie
Regular
Posts: 56 Location: Mondovi, Wi 54755
I'm sure this has been on here once or twice before, but my question is. To Tie or not to Tie in the trailer . I have a Three horse slant, have Always tied mine, but what are the pros & Con's of it? Thank you
Posted 2007-10-21 7:31 PM (#69729 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
It has been done to death here...my concensus is it is an individual decision. Depends on the horse, the trailer, the owner, etc. There are horror stories each way and there is no 100% perfect way. Just the best way for your situation. I actually tie in one trailer and not in the other! How is that for having it both ways???
Posted 2007-10-21 11:05 PM (#69737 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
yes, I think it depends on the trailer, horse, personal preference, etc. I always tie my horse, and the only time I had a problem was when I untied him to prepare to unload from a straightload trailer... he turned around in there before I could open the back. Yikes! Got a bloody nose, sore back, etc. It about scared me to death. That was due to the horse being an idiot but, I never untie him now before we are truly ready to unload, and have not had a problem since. I hauled a horse that was almost impossible to load in my 3H w/no dividers in... I did not tie him and he rode like a champ. No problems at all. My personal preference is to tie.
Posted 2007-10-23 5:23 AM (#69836 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
I tied in my straight load because my compact QH can get back far enough to get his head over the divider and mess with the horse next to him. In my slantload he can't so we don't tie. Both our horses wait for our command to unload regardless of dividers open or butt bars down, no charging out. Might do different with a green horse.Rich
Posted 2007-10-23 8:22 AM (#69846 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Cowgirl has nailed the answer.... Depends on the horse, trailer, etc.
I have personally seen tragic results of NOT tying. The death of the horse would have been avoided by a simple tie. I haven't seen any downside to tying in my experience, nor upsides to not tying. I always tie in the trailer.
PS ... I have a slant load now and previously a straight load .
Posted 2007-10-23 7:04 PM (#69870 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Member
Posts: 46 Location: Edmond, OK
Me too...I agree that it's a personal decision, depending on horse(s). I put my older mare (9) in first when I take both, then load my young gelding in. I have to tie his head so he'll leave her alone!! BUT I don't tie real short - only enough to keep him from putting his head over the divider.
Posted 2007-10-27 2:24 PM (#70081 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
I both tie and don't tie. Depends on the horse(s) and the trailer used. There is no definitive one is better than the other answer. However, if the horse has enough space to think about turning around, but not enough space to actually do it, it's better to tie.
It is however helpful to train the horse to tie well/give to pressure before trailering if you are going to tie. Especially if given moments of forgetting to untie horses before opening the back doors.
Oh and a strong backup cue can be helpful for inexperienced horses. hehehe, have run into a few horses people get in the trailer to get to the ride, then can't get them off. LOL
As far as my horses and stock trailer, if I'm only trailering one of them at a time two of my three horses I will leave loose in the front stall. My big grey, see ears in avatar, I tie as he is too big to turn around in my 6' wide trailer, but will try if left loose anyway.
Posted 2007-10-28 10:17 AM (#70110 - in reply to #69719) Subject: RE: Tie or Not To Tie
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: NW
I tie - becuz I had a bad experience not tieing - crazy horse got down, pretty much on his knees (hadn't even closed the back door, so we saw him do this) & stuck his head under the divider & then panicked!
One big thing I've always been told tho - especially in the slantloads or stock. If you have a stock or similar open head area & tie, always loop the end of your tie rope back thru so it cannot flip out to the outside of the trailer....read where the lead slipped out & was the easy pull out kind of knot, horse had a screen up but not the whole door at the head, rope went under tire & pulled horse's head thru the screen & window & broke the horse's neck!
Tie or Not To Tie
. I have a Three horse slant, have Always tied mine, but what are the pros & Con's of it? Thank you 
