Re: Tying-ugh!

[K S Swigart <katswig@deltanet.com>]

On Thu, 7 May 1998, Raymond O'Donohue wrote:

> How can this be anything but uncomfortable?Imagine being forced to 
> stand in one position all night before or after carrying a rider all 
> day.Or rather,before AND after.Can't roll,can't move around.Hollow 
> backed.If tied safely,barely able to drain sinuses.Ground probably not 
> level.Unable to face to the left because killer mare tied on that 
> side.Unable to face right because killer gelding tied on that side.Did I 
> mention the Field Trial Stiff Hose Stakeout?

I have, for years tied my horse to the trailer at endurance rides.  He can
lie down and roll, he can reach the ground to graze on the hay...that I
put on the ground for him to eat, he can reach the bottom of his water
bucket, he can visit with the horse tied next to him, and he can make a
seimicirle with about a 20' diameter.

The very first ride I went to he put his foot through the lead rope within
about 5 minutes of being tied up.  He pulled back once, looked over at me
with a look on his face that said, "are you going to do something about
this?" I got his foot out....and he hasn't done it since.

He has learned to watch the rope.  When he is double tied (he is, after
all, a stallion) he watches both ropes.

Every other horse that I have started in endurance since...gets tied to
the trailer in the same way.  They all move around all the time, lie down
if they want to rest, have a roll if they feel like it....and watch the
rope?  Though the rope is not long enough that they can lie completely
supine and rest their heads on the ground, it is long enough that they can
rest their nose on the ground while they are lying down.

kat
Orange County, Calif.