The Different Quick Ties for Horses

Horses are tied up for a variety of reasons, such as for grooming or when they are being attended to by a veterinarian or when they are being saddled or waiting to be loaded into a trailer. Quick knots are the preferred variation for use with horses due to the ability to instantly slip the knot free and lead the horse. There are several variations of the quick tie that can be used.

  1. Simple Quick Tie

    • The quick tie knot, also known as a jerk knot, is a type of knot that can be quickly released by "jerking" on the end of the rope when you are ready to move the horse. The rope is looped around a fence post or other type of suitable object, from right to left, then the end of the rope is crossed under the section leading to the horse, with slack left over in the left hand then twisted to form a loop. The tail end of the rope is then passed under and over the section leading to the horse and tucked through the twisted loop and cinched tight. It can be released by tugging on the end of the rope.

    Locked Quick Tie

    • A locked quick tie is done exactly the same way as the normal quick tie knot, but rather than the final section being tucked through as a loop through the original twisted loop, the tail end of the lead rope is passed through the twisted section of lead rope and cinched semi-tight. This is only used for problem horses that learn how to pull the rope free themselves.

    Repeated Quick Tie

    • A repeat quick tie is the simple quick tie, or jerk knot, repeated over and over until there is no more slack left in the lead rope. This is another method used for problem horses who have learned how to pull the slack end of the lead rope free with their teeth. By looping the rope in on itself until there is no more slack left, the horse cannot pull the rope free.

    Cinch Knot

    • A cinch knot is normally used to tighten the cinch of a saddle, but it can also be used as a quick tie knot for horses. The end of the lead rope is brought up behind and over the top of a horizontal section, looped once around the section of the rope leading to the horse, and then the slack end is either twisted and the loop pulled through the corresponding cross section, or the tail end of the rope is pulled through, similar to how a tie is tied and worn around your neck.