Tools of the horseman's trade

It takes a lot of quality tools to make a safe, responsive and educated horse.

As someone who has relied upon tools for most of my adult life I can tell you how important it is to have access to quality tools. The right tools make the difference between a project done well and one that turns out with less than desireable results. Not only do the proper tools affect the end result of a project they also increase efficiency and decrease the level of frustration.

There is not much that is more maddening to me than when I am mid-project and realize that I am lacking the correct tool to proceed onward to completion.

Have you ever forgotten to bring your toothbrush on an overnight stay? There you are, after an evening out with friends where you ate lots of flavorful, pungent foods. You are loving life and even jumped at the offer of a decadent dessert when the waitress asked if anyone had saved room.

Now, you are laughing to yourself remembering all of the fun you had. While washing up and getting ready for bed you open up your travel kit and "Oh no," you have forgotten your toothbrush.

 You are suddenly faced with the dilemma of going to bed with "fuzzy" teeth or trying somehow to use your right hand index finger as a makeshift brush. The result, no matter which option you choose, is less than optimal.

Ok, now maybe moments like these are rare and somewhat trivial. But sometimes even very simple things can become a huge undertaking when we lack the proper tools. Which is why I like to be prepared as best I can when I set out to ride or even work with horses.

I have certain tools that I count on as my "go to" arsenal. First off, I like to carry with me an easily accessible knife. One that can be opened using one hand is ideal. Sometimes being able to quickly grab and open a knife can save a person from some dangerous situations. Or, at the very least, can just be downright handy.

Joanna and I prefer to use an all rope halter that ties on, over and behind the ears. The lead rope (which we like to be a 12 foot poly/Dacron type) is tied directly to the halter. This type of setup has no weak points that will break if a horse gets spooked or pulls back and against the lead.

I carry my knife in case I need to cut the lead if me or my horse is in trouble of becoming injured or maybe even killed.

Checking out a student's gear at a recent clinic.  Having properly fitting and safe equipment is a must!

That being said, I feel it's important to mention that safely tying a horse with a quick release knot is essential. I personally won't tie a horse solid that I do not know or one that I am not confident to release into pressure.  

I will however, tie a horse solid if and only if the tie point is one that is well up and above a horses head and withers. The force that a horse can apply to this type of tie is greatly reduced on account of leverage and physics.

Secondly, I do like to have a flag close by if I am working in or around an arena or a round corral. I use a flag that is made by Double Diamond Halter Co. They make a nice one that is relatively light in weight and has a moderately stiff shaft that is a user friendly, manageable length. A flag can be a handy tool for use in groundwork.

It is essentially an extension of a person's arm and can reduce the amount of effort required to encourage a horse to move in any specified direction. (Just for the record here a flag is not a whip and should not be used as such.)

A flag can also be helpful in mounted work, though caution is advised if your horse is troubled by the flag during groundwork. The correct use of a flag while mounted can greatly increase a horses ability to sort out rider cues when performing certain movements. 

Taking a break with my trusty mare, Sapphire.

Lastly, I will mention another tool that I rarely do without. A lariat rope (mine has a metal Honda that releases easily). I do not consider myself a roper by any means. It is not often that I get to work around cattle and I am not at the point in which I feel comfortable holding a steer. I do enjoy working on building up a loop and swinging my rope. I have some shots that I am ok at and could probably catch something if I had to.

A rope to me is far more than just a "lasso." Mankind has been braiding and using rope for a very long time. It is a basic tool with many multiple uses. Whether or not it is being used on and around horses is beside the point. The more times that I have a rope with me the more uses that I find for it. One's imagination can conjure up some real doozies.

It pays off to become handy with a rope. Sometimes just dragging things behind while mounted can be a lot of fun. It can also be a good way to educate a horse in being ridden one handed. Though, here again, I advise caution. Things can happen pretty quickly and a rope has a way of tangling up in whatever it can.

Just a few of our must-have “tools” of the trade.

These are just a few of the tools that I like to have on hand when dealing with horses. I am kind of a tool guy and it is not often that I am forced to, as I like to say in reference from an old TV show, "MacGyver it." Be it large or small, the proper tool is invaluable.   

Happy Trails,

Eric