Posted 2013-05-13 10:51 PM (#151969) Subject: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
Had discussion with some friends today as we were unloading then reloading our horses. Some of us remove the lad ropes from the halters after loaded, others leave them on horse. Before I share my thoughts (as I tend to have strong opinions. lol) I'd be curious on which you do, and why....
Posted 2013-05-13 11:05 PM (#151970 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Alberta Canada
When hauling horses in my stock trailer, they go in loose, no lead ropes tied, reasoning.... lots of room to move about, usually turn and face backwards and ultimately ride better. when hauling with my lq horse trailer, always tie lead ropes, as limited room in stall , and don't want them getting hung up trying to turn around.
Posted 2013-05-13 11:14 PM (#151971 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Alberta Canada
sorry didn't edit in time,..
I never remove lead ropes from halters in either case trailering. In the stock trailer I simply tie rope around the neck with a quick release non slip knot.
Posted 2013-05-14 9:20 AM (#151977 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We leave the lead rope attached to the halter when trailering. It's much easier to unload the horses without first having to attach a lead. If a horse is upset or having a bad day, sometimes it's easier not having to affix a lead in a confined area.
Posted 2013-05-14 10:05 AM (#151978 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
Painted Horse, you just made me say "Duh!!! Why didn't I think of that!" We are ones to always leave a lead rope on, and if we have one to tie, we use the trailer tie that is in the trailer. I do a loop around the neck, sometimes it comes un done, other times it fine, and yes, the ropes some times get pee'd on. Anyone remove their lead ropes completely from horse when hauling? If so, reasoning?
Posted 2013-05-14 11:12 AM (#151979 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Regular
Posts: 70
I have slant corner feeders and safety trailer ties. In my old trailer, I used the trailer tie and just shoved the lead rope "under" the hay in the feeder. I never want a lead rope to be on the ground, stepped on, etc.
In the new trailer, I dont have the ties in yet so am just tying the lead rope to the ring directly.
Posted 2013-05-14 12:21 PM (#151982 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Expert
Posts: 2954 Location: North Carolina
I have a slant load. Always tie to cheek ring, quick release at the trailer, remove lead rope to avoid getting stepped or peed on. Tied horse keeps from getting head over divider or turned around.
Posted 2013-05-14 4:10 PM (#151985 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming
I guess I'm in the minority, but I always take my lead ropes off. I haul mine in a stock combo trailer. It allows them to turn to their most comfortable hauling position and I won't own an animal that is too 'goosey' to snap a lead rope on when it comes time to unload. Just my .02.
Posted 2013-05-14 4:51 PM (#151992 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Depends on the horse. I have had horses that you could leave the lead rope on and even if they stepped on it there wouldn't be any problem. Then there are those horses that would panic in a second so they get the lead off. Tying is the same- some are ok and some are not. Right now my show horse is tied loosely and enough so when he is waiting to be unloaded he doesn't try anything stupid.
Posted 2013-05-14 5:11 PM (#151994 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
So here is my reason for having a rope left on the horse. I've had friends have to unload in an emergency. One was a trailer accident, the other was the truck caught fire. So having that rope on the horse, not have to look for it, snap it on the horse etc. gives me the ability to grab, lead, and then tie quickly if needed. Hopefully I will never have to be getting them out in an emergency, in a hurry.I did make some 3/4 ropes, meaning they were about 3/4 the length of an average lead. The end would just tough the ground with the horse standing, but it hung down and was easy to grab, and just long enough to tie the horse. Kept good lead ropes hanging on a bridle rack inside at the rear of the trailer that I switched to when unloading.I was just curious as to reasoning to take ropes off the horses. Thanks for the replies!
Posted 2013-05-15 5:49 PM (#152013 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
We use straight load walk out out the side ramp trailers... We use the lead rope as a trailer tie, make it as long or short as needed. Tie slip knot, grab end of lead, pull rope and walk out... No fumbling with quick release contraptions.... When we had a stock trailer I would haul them loose, nine times out of ten they would stand with their butt to the street side head to the curb and facing the rear....
Posted 2013-05-16 1:18 PM (#152058 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: MD
I take my 12' lead rope off and use quick release bungee style that are permanent fixtures. It takes 2 seconds to drop the bar windows and clip then unclip.
Posted 2013-05-16 7:26 PM (#152074 - in reply to #151969) Subject: RE: Lead rope on or off when trailering
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I use a lead rope with 'The Clip' installed on it. If something happens and the horse falls and needs more rope, it gives. When I unload the horse I simply un-clip it from the trailer ring on the inside, unload and then clip it to the tie ring on the side of the trailer. The horse is safely tied, regardless. In my LQ trailer the tie rings are rather high up and I am vertically challenged, so I have a permanently installed lead with 'Clip' in each stall. In an emergency, I can get to the clip and undo it otherwise, I just exchange one lead for the other before I unload. If need be, the horse could actually pull the rope all of the way through The Clip but this would take something extraordinary. It is very easy to adjust the length of my rope with this handy device. I have become so attached to it that I almost hate to actually tie my horse to the side of the trailer without it (though they do tie well). Such a handy safety feature. Plus my horses need to be tied regardless of how loose the rope is. They are dorks and would do something stupid just because they are horses :)
Lead rope on or off when trailering
