How to Tie a Horse in a Stock Trailer

Horses hauled in a horse trailer must be tied securely. The arrangement must also allow the horse to be untied quickly in emergency situations even if the animal is pulling back on the lead rope. This requires either a quick release snap assembly or a quick release knot connecting the lead rope to the trailer.

Things You'll Need

  • Lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train the horse to load into the trailer quietly with a minimum of fuss and struggle. This starts weeks before any necessary trip the horse may need to make in a horse trailer. Start by ground driving the horse into the trailer using long lines to urge the horse to move forward from behind. This works best with horses that have been broke to ground drive as part of their regular training. Continue to work with the horse until the horse follows you into the trailer and stands quietly to be tied in place.

    • 2

      Tie a quick release knot in the lead rope. Loop the rope around the tie bracket in the horse trailer. Make a loop in the portion of the rope to the left of the bracket, and bring the loose end of the rope under the portion of the rope that leads from the horse to the bracket. Bring a loop of the loose end of the rope through the loop on the left hand side of the bracket. Pull that loop tight to complete the knot.

    • 3

      Slide the knot up the rope until it fits against the bracket. It may take some practice to position the knot properly so the horse has the proper amount of slack. The knot releases if the loose end, which is the end of the rope not connected to the horse's halter, is pulled--even if the horse is pulling back.