Tail Knot for Leading Unridden Horses
”Tailin’ ‘em Up”

Packers, outfitters, trail riders and others often need to lead out unridden horses.  Here is an easy way to lead out these horses. 

1. Pick a horse that you know will not kick you.

2. Take hold of the tail of the horse you are going to tie off to.

3. Slide your hand down the tail until you feel the end of the tail bone. 
    

4. Fold the tail back against itself over the rope, holding it with your hand. 
   
    

5. Take a clockwise wrap around the tail with your lead rope next to the tail bone, and 3 more wraps. 
   
   
   
    

6. Place the loose end of the lead rope under your wraps next to the tail and pull tight. 
   
   
   
    

7. Do not leave so much slack in the lead rope that the lead horse will step over it.  The rope should hang no lower than the rear hock of the lead horse.

Horses will follow another horse readily when tied in this manner.  This tail wrap will untie quickly and easily after you have finished leading out. 

Suggestion:  If you have several horses to lead out, sort the geldings from the mares before you tie up.  Mares tied to mares, geldings tied to geldings.  Works better this way.

 Article by Mike Laughlin

e-mail:  mikelaughlin@hotmail.com  

Photos by Lee Raine