Cross Ties/Trailer Ties w/ Panic Snap

[Valerie62]

Okay, this may be about the stupidest question ever (and I really am embarrassed to be asking).....but

Which end of the cross ties or trailer tie do you attach to your horse? The regular snap end or the panic snap end?

I've been attaching the panic snap to my horse's halter. But it seems to me that if the horse panics it would be easier to release the panic snap if it weren't attached to the frightened horse. On the other hand, if the panic snap is attached to the trailer or wall, and you release it the snap may fly back and strike the horse. Is there a preferred (right or wrong) way?

[Valerie62]

Wow .. no comments at all? That either confirms that I AM the biggest idiot on HT or no one else uses panic snaps.

[Carri]

Hi! Sorry, I just saw this!
I attach the panic snap to the trailer, so I can get to it, and it leaves the tie attached to the horse so I can catch him. I know you can do it either way, but I recently had an incident that reinforced to me the benefits of doing it this way.
We had trailered out to another farm to ride, and the cross ties were opposite of how I am used to, with the panic snap on the horse. The cross ties were also lower than I like them. Something spooked Cricket and she reared up, and got her leg over the cross tie. I couldn't get close to her because she was so paniced, so I couldn't get to the panic snap to release it. I finally got her calmed down and got her undone, but it would have been better if the panic snap were at the wall, so I could release her.

[HORSIN' AROUND]

You are not an idiot - I find myself wondering the same thing! I have always attached the panic snap end to the trailer - but am now thinking about it snaping back at my horse - anyone have an answer?

[Valerie62]

Thanks Carri and Horsin' Around for your replies. I have decided to connect the panic snap end to the post or trailer ... I think that's the lesser of the two evils.

[Raaslita]

Well at my crossties I have the panic snap to the horse..only because I would need a step ladder to get to the snap at the walll.. But I also have the bunge type of cross ties.. So if they do panic they can pull back and it gives them the chance to calm down a bit..

[EquineAlberta]

I used to clip the panic snap to the trailer, and the other to the halter, but then hubby said that was dumb, so now we do the reverse, panic snap to the halter. Why don't they just have the panic snap at both ends?

Karen

[corporate cowgirl]

This is a great thread Valerie--there are a lot of us who wasn't sure what goes where. I have the panic snap attached to my trailer only because that's the way they were set up by the previous owner and I figured she must've known. Now that I think about it there are pros and cons to both ways.

[BarnBum]

I don't think there is a right or wrong as to which snap goes where. Personal preference. I put the panic snap on the horses halter when crosstied, but I do not use trailer ties. I use leadrope with a quick release knot. This way, A) one pull and the horse is free B) when the horse is free, there is not heavy snap flying in the air with potential to smack the horse in the face/eye.

[RenosGirl]

when I load my horse I have the panic snap on the trailor, but if he is being tied up outside I switch it so that the panic snap is on the horse. But I have a friend that never puts the panic snap on her horse. Its just how you feel is right.

[Val]

Hi Valerie, (I like your name...lol) If you look at previous threads that I started, you will see that I have one on the same subject. Feel free to look it up and get more advice

[Valerie62]

Wow .. Thanks Val! I don't know how I missed your question on the same subject, and posted only a few days before mine. I appreciate your bringing it to my attention.

[HorseLvr76]

I like to put the quick release on the trailer...if my horse is going crazy, and it's on them, then I'll have a harder time (and more dangerous) getting it released. If it is on the trailer, then hopefully I'll be able to release it quicker and w/out much problem.

[A J]

I prefer to attach the panic end to the trailer - just personal preference as I've had horses freak out (weren't tied with a panic snap, but have had the experience of a freaked out horse) and there are times where getting close to them is just not much of an option, so I prefer the panic on the opposite end.

Of course, this is all personal preference, I'd rather take the chance with the loose snap than not getting them loose, depending on your horse you may feel more comfortable the other way!

[Tobiesmom]

I, too, go with the panic end fastened to the trailer side of business. I'm a short person, so when it comes to unfastening the horse, I'm doing good to open the access door, reach in and release from the ground (standing outside the trailer). If you flip the tie around, there would be no way to release the horse(s) without climbing in the trailer with them. If you are in the process of trying to unravel a horse hissy-fit, you might never get to the release if it's fastened to the halter. Having seen some normally well-behaved show horses flop around in trailers for no good reason at all, I try to minimize any time leading in or leading out of a trailer. I try to have all my horses trailed to 'self-load'. I really like the trailer ties that are like uber-heavy bungie cords. Very strong, but with some give for that horse that doesn't appreciate a hard, fast tie. Good luck!

[jen21]

I am so glad this subject came up! I must have missed the first thread about the panic snaps.

I have been wondering the same thing. Which end goes where? I feel better about the way I have been using them now. When the horses are inside the trailer, I put the panic snap on the trailer. That way if one of the horses gets in trouble I don't have to crawl in there with them to free them. I can just reach throught the drop down window and unsnap them.