Horse Packing Supplies, High Lining and Ground Tying

Tying a horse to a tree The rule for tying a horse is “HIGH AND TIGHT”. A horse tied low will undoubtedly get a leg in the rope or have the rope go over its head binding him. Some horses go out of control when its head is restricted in this manner. Always carry a sharp knife so you can get control of the situation quickly.

Hi Lines Quality horse packing supplies always includes a strong hi lign rope. Tie your strong rope high between two trees preferrably 2 feet above the horses head. You want to tie the hi line high enough so the horse can easily walk under the hi line.Tie the lead rope to the hi line high enough so the horse can’t get its legs tangled in the lead rope.

If you tie the the lead rope low the horse will get a leg over the rope and it will try to struggle to get free. Invariably, the horse will fall and can't get up. If you are away from camp hunting all day when you return you will have a horse with colic or serious injury.

Tying Horses to Hi Line Insure horses aren’t so close they can kick one another or have their lead ropes wrapped around one another. If you feed on the ground, the horse should be able to eat his hay or pellets without pulling hard on the lead rope. If the horse has to pull hard on the lead rope to eat his food the metal on the halter will rub the hair off and eventually cause abrasions.

When I feed hay I have hay bags tied to the Hi Line loop and around the tree. By using hay bags I can tie the lead rope high enough to insure the horse isn’t able to get his leg over the lead rope and possibly fall.

Ground Tied means a packhorse will stay stationary with his lead rope on the ground. I recommend you train your horse to be ground tied because eventually the horse will get lose. You don’t need to be chasing a running horse in the wilderness which will eventually cause the pack saddle to slip under the horse’s stomach. Been there and done that.

Ground Tie Training Drop the lead rope and tell the horse to stand and then you slowly back up. If and when the horse moves, return to the horse and jerk down several times on the lead rope and make the horse back up. Horses don't like to back up. If your horse is not an easy catch, tie a long smaller diameter rope or lunge line and walk backwards besides the rope so you can prevent the horse from running away. Practice ground tying training 5-10 minutes a day until trained. Some horses are quick learners - some aren't, just like people.