A highline and picket line are two distinct methods of securing your horse on the trail - however; they both require the same type of gear:
- One-half- to 5/8-inch diameter rope, 40 feet long, made from cotton or nylon
- Two "tree-savers" to protect the trees from rope rub; you can purchase ready-made products designed for this purpose, or you can improvise with burlap bags, towels, etc.
Highline
With a highline, you'll stretch the rope between two trees (or other stable, stationary objects) high enough so that the rope will just clear your horse's ears. For an average-size horse, the line would be about six to seven feet high. (See below for a butterfly knot to create highline loops on which you can tie multiple horses.)
When you use a highline:
- Your horse can walk a complete circle under the highline, so he can move in all directions.
If your horse panics (and he's tied properly), he can't get away or hurt his neck and spine.
Picket Line
With a picket line, you'll stretch the rope just as you would a high line, but you'll position it so that it's chest high on your horse. For an average-size horse, the line would be about three to four feet high.
When you use a picket line:
- You'll have room to tie more horses than you would on a highline.
- You can tie horses on one side, and feed on the other, or…
- …you can tie horses alternately along the line, which gives each horse more space.
-Bonnie Davis
Highline Butterfly Knot
Use butterfly knots to craft a highline with well-placed loops that will keep horses safely separated. According to master rope halter maker and knot enthusiast Alan Wertz, you'll be able to tie multiple horses without worrying about ropes sliding and twisting. Tie a butterfly knot every 10 feet in a strong nylon rope; attach lead lines onto the loops formed.
Step 1: Drape the rope over your right hand, so that it lays in the "L" between your thumb and index finger. With your left hand, loop the loose end of the rope around your hand two more times, so that you have three coils wrapping up toward your fingertips.
Step 2: Pick up the top loop (closest to your fingers), and pull it down over the other coils.
Step 3: Now another coil is at the top, closest to your fingers. Pick up that coil, pull it down toward the base of your hand, and push it through the opening between your right hand and the two other coils.
Step 4: Continue to pull the last coil tightly to form a loop with coils at the base. You just formed the loop where you'll attach other ropes so you can tie your horse.
Step 5: Adjust the rope as needed to create your desired loop size.
Step 6: Pull tight to finish the knot.
(For more knot-tying information, visit www.iwillknot.com.)
