How to Tie Quick-Release
Knots for Horses
Ropes and ties are everywhere in the horse world. Riders use them, grooms use them, haulers use them, and the list goes on. But a rope isn't useful unless accompanied by the proper knot. Using the wrong sort of knot can lead to unsecured equipment or a horse that can't get out of a sticky situation.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of safety knots common in the equine world as well as how to use them. The most common knot you'll see in the equine world is the quick-release knot. This knot is used when typing horses up since it can be quickly undone if something goes awry. Watch the video below to learn how to safely tie a quick-release knot or read on for step-by-step instructions on how to tie all types of quick-release knots!
When to Knot & When Not to Knot
Quick-release knots, also known as safety knots and slip knots, are used nearly every day by equestrians. These knots allow for horses to be tied to posts, fences, walls, and much more, because someone can pull the tail end of the rope and free the horse from the tie area. For example, suppose you tie your horse to a hitching rack and they were to get the rope stuck over their head and start to panic. In that case, you can quickly and safely untie them, preventing injuries and a potentially dangerous situation.
These knots are commonly accompanied by a thin loop of rope or twine that can break, allowing the horse to separate themself from their tie area in times of distress or panic. Using these breakaway materials can provide an extra level of safety, which is important if the horse is tied with no one around.
In instances where you are securing equipment or tie situations like high lines, different knots are used to prevent unintended release. These secure knots are not quick-release and should be used with caution. Common secure knots include bowline knots, butterfly knots, truckers hitch, and cavalry knots.
Before You Tie
| Pro Tip! When securing your horse, never wrap the rope around your fingers or any body part! If your horse pulls back while you're wrapped up, you could get severely injured. |
It is always a good idea to practice your knot without a horse first, so when you utilize it, you can do so confidently. To start any knot, first find a sturdy spot to tie that isn't going to break or be pulled over. If the horse is tied to something that isn't secure, the object could break if the horse pulls back, creating an even more stressful situation. If your only option is to tie to something that could break, you should attach a loop of string or twine to the object and tie the horse to your breakaway loop. This way, if your horse does pull back, they will break the string instead of your infrastructure!
An example of a break-away loop made from baling twine.
Quick-Release Knot/Slip Knot/Safety Knots
There are a few variations of slip knots which we will cover. All encompass the same quick-release principles but have slightly different steps. Since they all accomplish the same thing, you can use whichever method you like the best!
| Pro Tip! When tying your horse, you want 2 to 3 feet of rope between the horse and the tie ring/rail. This way they have the freedom to move their head around. |
The Daisy Chain
The daisy chain, also known as a crochet stitch or pattern, is an easy way to safely secure excess material. The daisy chain can be incorporated into other quick-release knots to secure the loose end of the lead rope or used alone to tie up a horse. This chain is done by passing loops within loops until you get to the end of the lead rope, which can be tucked in or left loose depending on your preference. The daisy chain will be used in all the quick-release knots we talk about below.
| Pro Tip! When tying any knot, use the section of rope that is closest to the tie site/knot to prevent loose ties or gaps in your knot. |
An example of a quick-release knot utilizing the "daisy chain."
Slip Knot #1: Tried and True
1. Take the tail end of your rope and put it over your rail or through your tie spot.
2. Pull it through until you have about 2 feet of rope between your horse and the tie spot.
3. Working with the loose rope section nearest the tie spot, fold the rope (creating a loop) and pass the loop over the end that's clipped to the horse and then under, through the created circle, and pull tight.
- To test your knot thus far, pull the tail end of your rope to release the knot. If it unties easily, congrats! If not, try again until you can confidently do these steps.
4. Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope using a daisy chain or crochet pattern (explained above).
5. When you reach the end of the rope, you can choose to tuck the rope end into your last loop, but if you do this, you need to remember to untuck it before you try to undo your whole knot.
6. If you do not tuck the end, then it is ready to be quickly released.
7. To release, simply pull (or untuck and pull depending on step #5) on the tail end of the rope!
Take the tail end of your rope and put it over your rail or through your tie spot.
Pull it through until you have about 2 feet of rope. Fold the rope to create a loop.
Pass the loop over the end that's clipped to the horse and then under, through the created circle, and pull tight.
Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain.
Continue the daisy chain.
An example of a complete "Tried and True" quick-release knot.
Slip Knot #2: Tried and True #2
1. Loop your rope, leaving about two feet between the horse and the loop.
2. Put your created loop over your rail or through your tie spot, still making sure your horse has about two feet of rope between them and the tie spot so they can freely move their head.
3. Pass the loop over the end that is clipped to the horse and then under. Immediately go through the created circle and pull tight.
- To test your knot thus far, pull the tail end of your rope to release the knot. If it unties easily, congrats! If not, try again until you can confidently do these steps.
4. Working with the loose rope section nearest the tie spot, fold your rope (creating a loop) and pass that loop through the loop that we just secured.
5. Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern (explained above).
6. When you reach the end of the rope, you can choose to tuck the rope end into your last loop, but if you do this you need to remember to untuck it before you try to undo your whole knot.
7. If you do not tuck the end, then it is ready to be quickly released.
8. To release, simply pull (or untuck and pull depending on step #6) on the tail end of the rope!
Loop your rope, leaving about two feet between the horse and the loop. Put your created loop over your rail or through your tie spot.
Pass the loop over the end that is clipped to the horse and then under. Immediately go through the created circle and pull tight.
Secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern.
An example of a complete "Tried and True #2" quick-release knot.
Slip Knot #3: In the U
1. Loop your rope over your railing or through your tie spot.
2. Pinch the clipped end and put the created loop down through your initial loop.
3. Fold your loose end and stick it through the loop created in step 2.
- To test your knot thus far, pull the tail end of your rope to release the knot. If it unties easily, congrats! If not, try again until you can confidently do this step.
4. Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern (explained above).
5. When you reach the end of the rope, you can choose to tuck the rope end into your last loop, but if you do this, you need to remember to untuck it before you try to undo your whole knot.
6. If you do not tuck the end then it is ready to be quickly released.
7. To release, simply pull (or untuck and pull depending on step #5) on the tail end of the rope!
Loop your rope over your railing or through your tie spot.
Pinch the clipped end and put the created loop down through your initial loop.
Fold your loose end and stick it through the loop you just created. Secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern.
An example of a complete "In the U" quick-release knot.
Slip Knot #4: Straight to the Chain
1. Loop your rope leaving about two feet between the horse and the loop.
2. Put your created loop over your rail or through your tie spot, still making sure your horse has about two feet of rope between them and the tie spot so they can freely move their head.
3. Working with the loose rope section nearest the tie spot, fold your tail end (creating a loop) and pass through the loop that we just secured.
- To test your knot thus far, pull the tail end of your rope to release the knot. If it unties easily, congrats! If not, try again until you can confidently do this step.
4. Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern (explained above).
5. When you reach the end of the rope, you can choose to tuck the rope end into your last loop, but if you do this you need to remember to untuck it before you try to undo your whole knot.
6. If you do not tuck the end then it is ready to be quickly released.
7. To release, simply pull (or untuck and pull depending on step #5) on the tail end of the rope!
Loop your rope leaving about two feet between the horse and the loop. Put your created loop over your rail or through your tie spot.
Working with the loose rope section nearest the tie spot, fold your tail end (creating a loop) and pass through the loop that we just secured. Repeat with a daisy chain.
An example of a complete "Straight to the Chain" quick-release knot.
Slip Knot #5: Loop D Loop
1. Take the tail end of your rope and put it over your rail or through your tie loop still making sure your horse has about two feet of rope between them and the tie spot so they can freely move their head.
2. Make a small circle with your loose end near the tie spot. The loop that you created should be big enough that you can fit another loop of rope through it but not bigger than a fist.
3. Hold that loop in place.
4. Bring the rest of your loose rope over the clipped end.
5. Working with the loose rope nearest the tie spot, fold your rope (creating a loop) and go under the end clipped to your horse, and then up through our circle loop and pull tight to create a knot.
- To test your knot thus far, pull the tail end of your rope to release the knot. If it unties easily, congrats! If not, try again until you can confidently do this step.
6. Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern (explained above).
7. When you reach the end of the rope, you can choose to tuck the rope end into your last loop, but if you do this you need to remember to untuck it before you try to undo your whole knot.
8. If you do not tuck the end then it is ready to be quickly released.
9. To release, simply pull (or untuck and pull depending on step #7) on the tail end of the rope!
Take the tail end of your rope and put it over your rail or through your tie loop. Make a small circle with your loose end near the tie spot and hold it in place.
Bring the rest of your loose rope over the clipped end.
Fold your rope to create a loop.
Pass over and then under the end clipped to your horse, through our circle loop, and pull tight to create a knot.
Now with the initial knot formed, we can safely secure the excess rope by using a daisy chain or crochet pattern.
An example of a complete "Loop D Loop" quick-release knot.
Closing Thoughts
Quick-release knots are an essential part of a successful barnyard with horses; they give us quick, effective fixes to equipment issues and can even prevent dangerous situations. Knowing how to properly tie a variety of knots can make a major difference in the safety of you and your horses, so learning to correctly tie these knots ahead of time is always a smart idea. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our friendly customer service at info@ridingwarehouse.com or by calling 1-800-620-9145. Ride on!
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