Cross ties

Years ago, when I managed the Riding School at the University of Toronto, I cross tied this nice new horse we had just gotten. One side of the cross tie was attached to the wall and the other side was attached to what I had assumed was a supporting beam.

Well, Teddy, the new horse, was startled by something. He pulled backwards and before I could get to the panic snap to release him, the supposed ‘supporting beam’ dislodged.

Apparently it was just a four by four that had been wedged between the floor and the ceiling but was unattached in any other way!

Now I am sure many people over the years had pushed, pulled and leaned on that four by four and it had stood firm. But it was no match for a thousand pound horse pulling away from it.

Somewhat miraculously, Teddy and I survived his seemingly eternal panicked battle to disconnect himself from this monstrous piece of wood. Except for a few cuts, scrapes, and bruises, neither of us were worse for wear.

An unnecessary and regrettable experience for both of us but one that taught me a lesson I will never forget.  More than three decades later and I have NEVER used cross ties without checking to see what they are attached to. I will also never tie a horse to anything that doesn’t have a baling twine buffer in case I can’t get to the horse in time.

Unfortunately it taught Teddy a lesson too and he never fully recovered from the emotional trauma. He was a great horse but we were never able to use cross ties on him again.

Live and learn.

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