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Horse Behavior and Training

Rope safety

By:

phantommustang1 Walsenburg, Colorado, USA

Date:

2014-May-15 at 05:54PM

I haven't seen anything about this, so thought I would say something about it. People, it is NEVER a good idea to loop the lead rope around your hand. My mom did that with a colt that was easily led, and something spooked him and he reared back and the lops tightened around her hand and gave her a very bad rope burn. It cost her the use of her hand for several weeks. This happened many years ago, but I will never forget it. People think I'm nuts for insisting they don't do this, but better safe than sorry. You can gather the rope up in your hand, but please, don't loop it around your hand.

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2014-May-15 at 07:45PM

I totally agree with you Phanto, I had a near miss once it really frightened me when a loop caught around my thumb would you believe while working with a difficult loader. Most lunge lines had big loop handles at the end which is so dangerous - the one Kelly Marks sells (lanky lines) have had the loops sewn down - very sensible :-)

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2014-May-15 at 08:56PM

Yes thanks for this Phantommustang . Such an important reminder as so many inexperienced people do this.. People have been dragged this way by their horses too. Another important one is not to toss the lead rope over your shoulder when you need both hands and there is no hitching rail close by. Your horse could spook the wrong way and catch your neck. So much better to teach your horse to stand with the lead rope dropped on the ground in front of them.

mustang.girl - Croatia 2014-May-16 at 06:30AM

my friend did something with that lead rope, nobody knows what and he claims to have it held properly, BUT the young stallion spooked in the pen and started galloping like crazy around, dragging my friend on the floor. he was bumping his head on the wooden fence. he was left with broken clavicule and brain damage with almost no skin on thorax and face... it took him months to recover. luckily, he is perfectly fine now, studying on university (this happened 4 years ago). In my opinion, all lunge ropes should be made without a loop on the end, SO dangerous! and experienced riders and handlers should educate inexperienced people.

beryl 2014-May-16 at 07:32AM

Yes indeed, I did make mine with loops at the end originally, but had it pointed out to me when i got help with Lib when she was a baby & undid them, i never put a loop on them now.
It was the norm years ago, but you are right mustang.girl, we should all point it out when we see it.

Tiggy, Tears 2014-May-16 at 07:56PM