[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Family, they can sure get in the way sometime can't they:). Well, I'm sorry you'll miss the ride, but the clinic sounds interesting. Is it with the lady you and Reba went and took a lesson from?

Beaker, I meant to post to you, that I'm sorry you got dumped. But it happens. Hope your next ride is more pleasant.

Well I hit a snag on riding today. The tree that I tie my horses to when I saddle or when I just want to leave them tied has been dead for several years. This past year I've been worrying about how safe it is to tie horses too. I've wondered if I had one spook and really pull back if they could pull it over.

But today is very very windy here. When I led Harley up there to be saddled I noticed how the big branches over his head were really waving around, and now a new worry, what if one of them came down while the horse was tied there....not good.

Mack thinks the tree died from having my horses tied to it and walking so much and loosening the dirt around the roots, so I really don't want to start tieing to a new tree if that's the case. Tying to the trailer is my only other option. Mack tld me he would make me some good tire blocks so that I could tie the horse to it without haveing to hook it up. But being lazy and knowing that Harley has been a bit spooky in the past about tieing to the trailer I've put off getting the job done.

Here's the tree

Well, I decided today would be a good time to the trailer out and tie him to it and see what happens. I pulled it out tied up a hay net for comfort for him and led him up there. He did jump around a git when Rocky come up behind him to the fence line, but I was watching and when he felt the pressure of the halter he didn't go any farther or fight it. So my lessons last spring must still be with him, and he knows he can't break loose.I'm going to leave him there awhile and maybe even go saddle him and let him stand there. May or may not ride, depends on his frame of mind:). I don't want to stress him to much and make him not like being tied there. I can see him from where I'm sitting now, and he's eating his hay but is standing pretty alertly and keeps looking around alot. The wind probably doesn't help, but if he can get use to that, he'll be fine under any conditions.

As I'm watching him, Rocky has wondered of where Harley can't see him, and he is really pacing as far as the lead will let him and whinning some. This may take awhile.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, the tie lesson is something horsey anyway... I have read, in the backcountry horseman materials, that tying them directly to the tree can be harmful to the tree, that they both compact and erode away the dirt around the root base.

That is why they recommend highlines between that put the horse out away from the base of the trees. If you have two trees that are sturdy and close enough together to do that, it's another option. It's a very safe method of tying, and wouldn't depend on your trailer being there and secure before you can do anything. If you want any description or pictures of mine, let me know. The rope around the tree can also damage the bark, and they recommend using a wide cargo strap around the tree, but it hasn't been a problem on the firs in our yard.

[HairOfTheDog]

Are his sooty patches more on the other side, or is he back to being really light for winter?

[Beaker]

lol. I didn't get dumped, the branches almost knocked me off. :-) It was actually a fantastic ride. I'm still on a high from it. :-)