Picket Line Pointers (In a Nutshell)

By: The EDGe

Deana Hardin on Picket Lines

The way I do things is maybe not the best way or sometimes maybe even the right way, but it’s ‘my way’ and it works, for me. Have fun, stay safe and many happy trails!

My picket line is a rope approximately 65 feet long with a loop tied in each end. Some camp grounds have picket line posts set at each camp site or look for a couple of sturdy, well spaced trees. I like to place the line approximately six feet above ground level. I use an old mohair cinch at one end for my ‘tree saver’ (you can buy REAL ones...) and attach my line to the cinch.

At the other end I use a handy-dandy ratchet tie-down strap, one that has hooks on each end. I loop and hook one end to the tree and hook the other end of it in the loop that I have tied in my line. Then ratchet away until the line is taunt.

We also drilled holes in the side of the trailer (about 6 feet above the ground) and placed a big U bolt there and can stretch our picket line between the trailer and one tree or post or even to another trailer. Comes in very handy at
times...

I’ve heard of campgrounds that only have one central post or tree that everyone is supposed to use. I’ve not been to one like that yet; but in my mind’s eye, I’d think a very long line (mine’s 65' but I’ve heard of people having 80' lines) and a way to secure it to the trailer would definitely be in order in a situation like that...

I use those nifty Knot Eliminators (advertised everywhere) but you can use big metal rings or just loops tied in the picket line to do the same thing. (The Knot Eliminators are just SO easy to use...) The big thing is to keep the
horses secure in one spot on the line; otherwise, they’ll end up getting tangled with others sharing the line or lunching on the tree that is holding up your picket line. Neither is a very good idea...

When I tie a horse, to a hitching post or picket line, I tie just long enough for my horse’s nose to touch the ground. No longer, or the horse might get his foot over the lead rope. I also use a neck rope. Mine is a short piece of rope with a snap at one end and a ring at the other just long enough to fit loosely around the throat latch of the horse (there are several variations that work nicely) and run the lead rope up through the halter and snap it on the neck rope securing it to the post or picket line with a quick release knot.

My Friend Melanie Grimble suggested using half a factory made cross tie for the drop line. She says they work great with the breakaway snap and she uses them instead of tying the horse with a lead rope to the picket line.

New (unused for muck) muck buckets make great water troughs at the picket line or hitch post just be sure you remove the rope handles and don’t leave buckets with metal handles too close to your unattended horse or it’ll end up being worn as a leg ornament. Rubber feed tubs make great waterers too.

Feeding hay on the ground is maybe the safest way. You may have to rearrange the pile if your horse paws it too far underneath itself to reach it though.

I personally use hay bags tied up high but I always make sure my horse can’t walk around it if on the picket line, it’ll just end up in a tangle. Also be sure than when the bag empties, it doesn’t hang low enough for a foot to
find it. I use feed bags to grain my horses instead of buckets.

Some horses may have a tendency to flip the bag up in the air as an effort to get at the grain in the beginning so take a little time and teach your horse how to lower it’s head to the ground to get that last morsel; otherwise,
they throw grain all over camp and get very little of it inside them.

For a horse that is allergic, or asthmatic, etc., it’s probably best to avoid using feed bags. Use feed pans instead. Breathing grain dust can’t be too healthy for a horse with such a problem even though it is a convenient way to feed...

A note of caution about picket lines and saddles. Don’t saddle your horse when tied to a picket line or leave a horse which is saddled tied to a picket line. Saddles and vertical lead ropes or horizontal lines do not work
well together. I tell you this from experience, and it’s no fun finding out the hard way... take my word for it!

Horseback Riding Article Source: http://www.horsebackridingarticles.com

Editor’s Note: This article was composed from posts to the Trail Riders Internet Discussion Group "The EDGe" which is open for everyone and FREE. To join The EDGe, send a blank eMail message to IndianaTrailRiders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The EDGe has many subscribers who are also members of the Indiana Trail Riders Association

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated