Page 169 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9

Knots and Ropes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Apply rope and knot tying terminology
• Prevent the ends of ropes from fraying
• Hank a rope
• Properly tie a halter tie, square knot, reefer’s knot, sheet bend, bowline,
and bowline on a bight knots
• Use half hitches and clove hitches to secure patients’ limbs to surgery
tables
• Produce a leash from a length of rope

Texts on animal restraint rightfully begin with the use of End: the end of the rope that can be freely moved and
ropes and knots. Although this may seem unusual, manipulated (Figure 9.1).
without this knowledge an assistant will be unable to pro- Standing part: the “other” end of the rope that is either
vide effective animal restraint. A length of rope can the long end, secured to the animal or inanimate
quickly become a leash, halter, hobbles, or security with object or held still while the end is passed around it to
the quick application of the following knots. This can make a knot or hitch.
mean the difference between a patient injuring itself, cli- Bight: a sharp bend in the rope. This is can be made with
ents, co‐workers, or you! either the end or the standing part. To use shoe tying
as an example, when you make a “bow,” you are mak-
ing a bight!
Knot Tying Terminology Throw: when the end is wrapped around another end or
the standing part of the rope being used (Figure 9.2).
Knot tying uses a specific terminology in order to follow When tying your shoes it is the first tie. As you wrap
directions on how to tie the different knots. one shoestring (end) around the other (end), you
Knots: the intertwining of parts of a rope or two ropes have made a throw! (Figure 9.2).
together. Loop: a complete circle made to start a knot or hitch. It
Hitch: the intertwining of loops arranged so the standing can be made in the standing part or end. Depending
part pushes against the end, securing the rope to an on the knot, the end is passed under or over the
animal or object. standing part, as Figure 9.3 shows. It is important to

Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, Fourth Edition. Teresa F. Sonsthagen.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Companion website: www.wiley.com/go/sonsthagen/tasks 153