Page 68 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots

Attach to the pastern, not the cannon bones, when hobbling or picketing.

Pickets

For holding horses in the backcountry while still allowing them to graze, the next step up in
security is picketing by one front foot, only done with horses well trained to yield each foot
when restrained (as discussed in chapter 2, see page 39). My picket ropes have an eye
splice in one end and a back splice with crown knot in the other (which we’ll practice in the
next chapter). The eye splice can be used either to permanently enclose a swivel snap, or

you can just slip the loop through the ring on the snap, then the snap through the loop and
pull tight. That way the snap can be easily removed. On the end attached to the picket
stake, I usually tie a bowline.

I’ve used two types of commercial picket stakes. One, of aluminum, came with a bull-
snap with swivel attached, but the snaps were of low quality and broke readily. My current
ones are much heavier, but are longer, are made of sturdy steel, and have a swivel on top
to which to tie.
But a picket rope can be attached to a big rock or downed log, too, and the eye splice is

then handy to use as a lasso around the object—just put the end of the rope through the
splice and pull to take out the slack. Then attach your hobble half to one front foot. Always
lead the horse out to the end of the picket rope so that he knows he’s restrained. You don’t

want him to take off quickly and hit the end of it hard. Shown his limitations, he’ll settle down
to graze. To be light on the land, move picket stakes frequently. Otherwise, the horse will
graze an unsightly circle.

Transom Knot

In some areas it’s permissible to cut poles for camp, but where that’s not possible, you are
usually allowed to construct temporary camp conveniences with downed timber. Nails and
wire are frowned upon, but it’s possible to build a hitching rail using rope lashings alone.

These don’t do permanent damage, and you can disassemble and scatter your materials at
the end of the stay.