One of the most important skills any equestrian can learn is to tie your horse safely with a quick-release knot. This knot is unique in that if a horse should panic and pull back, causing the knot to become twisted, it can easily be undone by pulling the end of the rope. This is different to regular knots which will just become tighter and are almost impossible to untie safely in an emergency.
Directions for Tying a Quick-Release Knot
- Tie a piece of baling twine around the hitching post or through the tie ring. The post/tie ring with the piece of baling twine should ideally be inline with the height of the horse’s back.
- Pass the end of the rope through the safety string until there is approximately 18” from the snap of the rope attached to the horse’s halter to the safety string.
- Make a circle around the rope.
- Push the doubled end of the rope through the circle.
- Pull the knot snug.
- Tuck the end of the rope through the big loop in the knot to prevent the horse from being able to untie themselves.
- To release the rope, untuck the tip and pull on the end of the rope.