How to String Pack Animals

Getting out into the wilderness and exploring new territory is an exciting adventure. Packing in your gear with pack animals allows you to carry more gear and go further into the wilderness than backpacking alone. Here are some basic ways to string your pack animals together.

Things You'll Need

  • Pack saddle
  • Pack saddle rigging
  • Pack saddle inch
  • Cotton lead rope
  • Loop of 1/4-inch manila
  • 3/8-inch nylon rope
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Instructions

  1. Tail Knot Your String Together

    • 1

      Grab the animal's tail and feel for the end of the bone.

    • 2

      Place the rope under the tail at the end of the bone and fold the tail over the rope.

    • 3

      Take the rope and wrap it clockwise three times around the bottom of the tail.

    • 4

      Place the loose end of the lead rope under your clockwise wraps and pull tight.

    • 5

      Only allow the lead rope to hang down as far as the rear hocks of the leading animal; this way the lead animal won't step over the rope.

    • 6

      Attach the clip of the lead rope to the halter of the following animal and repeat the steps above on this animal's tail to attach another animal.

    Pigtail Your String Together

    • 7

      Take unbreakable 3/8-inch nylon rope and tie it into the upper cinch ring on each side of your pack saddle.

    • 8

      Run the rope on each side through the rear hoop or sawbuck of your pack saddle.

    • 9

      Take your loop of breakable 1/4-inch manila and tie it into the unbreakable rope that runs through your pack saddle rigging as explained above.

    • 10

      Attach the lead rope of the haltered animal to the breakable 1/4-inch manila loop, and repeat the pigtail for each animal that follows in the string.