The Art of Wrangling: Keeping Your Horses Close

This allows the horse to take tiny steps rather than having to jump forward with feet together. The pastern area is less likely to rub with more length but rubbing is common with horses learning to accept being hobbled. Placing the hobble above the ankle is a good alternative and it can reduce rubbing.
Use a forgiving material and a soft rope about 18 inches between the collars for the first time. Use a bowline knot around each pastern as it can be easily removed. How much a horse gets a hobble rub really depends on how quickly it learns to accept the hobble and what material the collars are made from. You would think to call a horse dumb or smart depending on how fast it learns to take small steps rather than hitting the end of each step. It does not work that way. We have very intelligent horses that need to relearn hobbles each year even after ten years and still seem to fuss with them all season. Most calmminded horses struggle with the first few steps but inside of five minutes act as if they have had them on their entire life. I would agree with many oldtimers that some horses who are stubborn learners and experience some degree of hobble rub need the uncomfortable feeling to learn to stay off of the hobbles and walk gently.
Sidelines and Tiedowns
Hobbles are often not enough. I have had many adventures retrieving hobbled horses that hopped as many as 20 miles away. Consider a sideline tie down or hobbles on the back feet as alternatives. A sideline is simply an additional hobble from a front foot to a back foot. It allows the horse to walk as it feeds but not to run. We use them extensively and have found them to be safe and very effective. Again the horse often needs some time to accept them. For your average 1100 pound Quarter Horse we find about 26 inches between the front and back foot is about right.
As well as having hobbles on some riders prefer to tie the horses head low to one foot ensuring the head is about level with the back as a method of keeping the horse from running off. It works well but personally I dont like to see a horse stand around all day with its head down so we use it rarely.
Picket Rope
A