A tethered horse is restrained from moving beyond a specific radius by a rope, chain, strap, or cord. It is important that you tether a horse correctly, as it can cause serious health issues if not done right.
Keep in mind that I do not recommend tethering as the best way of keeping a horse. Owners have a legal obligation to meet their horses’ five welfare always needs under the Animal Welfare Act. If the basic needs of the horse are not met because of the tethering, this could be seen as a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
This article aims to help horse owners tether their horses in the most humane way possible. Here are the proper steps that should be taken when tethering a horse.
How to tether a horse?
- Purchase a neck strap for tethering. A neck strap is a piece of leather that wraps around a horse’s neck. You can buy a neck strap at most equestrian stores, or you can make your own out of old stirrup leather.
- Connect a swivel to your neck strap. A swivel can be purchased from a hardware store.
- Attach a small piece of chain to the neck strap via a swivel. This will be used to hook onto the horse’s bridle. A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse; it includes both the headstall, which holds a bit in the horse’s mouth and the reins attached to the bit.
- Put the bridle and neck strap on your horse. If the neck strap were to come undone, your horse would still be tethered by the bridle and vice versa.
- Place a pin in the ground and connect a chain with a swivel to the pin. Make sure that the pin is placed in an area free from any hazards.
- Attach the chain to the swivel on your horse’s neck strap to tether it to the ground pin.
- Check that the neck strap and bridle fit comfortably on your horse’s head. Permit your horse to graze.
It should only be brief if a horse must be tethered to graze. The horse must have access to shelter and room to run around and socialize with other horses for the rest of the day.
If you are more of a visual person, you can check out this video.
Things to keep in mind when you tether a horse
The following factors must be considered when tethering your horse to do so safely.
Space
When tethering your horse, keep the area clear of potential hazards. Horses tethered should have access to a dry, well-drained location and, ideally, a windbreak such as a hedge line. On the other hand, horses should not be tethered near trees, where they could become entangled and in worst cased strangeled.
Make sure your horse has space to graze. Move the pin sometimes to ensure that your horse does not spend too much time in the same vicinity where it could consume all the grass.
Water
Ensure that clean water is available. Ideally, all horses should have constant access to clean, fresh drinking water. However, some tethered horse owners do not leave water on-site permanently because buckets can be knocked over, stolen, or thrown away. If this management method is used, water must be provided at regular intervals throughout the day. It is insufficient to provide it only once or twice. It is preferable to use a tire to secure the water bucket rather than providing sporadic water.
Diet
Many horses can survive on grass, but tethered horses must be moved regularly to ensure a constant fresh food supply. During the winter months, or at any time when the grass is scarce, additional forage such as hay may be required.
Equipment
A rope, chain, strap, or cord can tether a horse. A metal chain is the most secure you can buy, but make sure it is not too heavy that it stresses your horse. Get a lightweight chain that isn’t too long or too short. A chain that is too long may cause them to become tangled with themselves, while a short chain may limit their space. You want to make sure the chain is long enough for the horse to lay down.
When it comes to your horse’s neck strap and bridle, make sure you get the right size. Also, use enough swivel links to keep your horse comfortable while they are tethered. You should also make sure to regularly groom your tethered horse. To learn more, you can read my article on how to clean a horse brush.
Time
Your horse should not be tethered for extended periods. Tethering, in general, should only be used as a temporary solution. You should still provide adequate shelter for your horse and allow it to roam freely on occasion. If you must tether your horse, make sure to inspect it every 6 hours to ensure its safety.
Hopefully, you understand how to tether your horse safely through this article. Many people are unaware of the dangers of tethering horses, so this should only be used as a temporary solution. Make sure you have a more permanent home for your horse, as tethering should only be temporary. If you must tether your horse, make sure to follow the instructions in this article.
