H is for horses on the Highline.
When out in the hinterlands, a highline is handy hardware for keeping a horseman's herd hitched for the night. A highline is a horizontal rope, tied to two trees or other immovable objects, with rings for securing the animals by lead rope and halter. Highlines are not much hassle to hang, and the system keeps horses happy and safe.
Horses can rest there, hang their heads to sleep, or have a bite of hay if they're hungry.
When out in the hinterlands, a highline is handy hardware for keeping a horseman's herd hitched for the night. A highline is a horizontal rope, tied to two trees or other immovable objects, with rings for securing the animals by lead rope and halter. Highlines are not much hassle to hang, and the system keeps horses happy and safe.Horses can rest there, hang their heads to sleep, or have a bite of hay if they're hungry.
We hang bells around the horses' necks so we can harken to the harmonics while we sleep. The sounds are hushed if they are calm but become loud and jangling if they're harassed or hyper, and we can hasten to check and see if they are hurt.
On cool nights at high altitude, they wear their stylin' homemade blankets (above).
If we are on a pack trip and regular blankets are too heavy to haul, they can wear space blankets for body heat. (In the photo, we have these emergency blankets secured with leg wraps and duct tape. How's that for haphazard innovation? No matter, our horses are habitually in style, a haberdasher's envy. 
Your horses look like outer space aliens with those metallic blankets!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, that is quite an H story. I see how happy your horses are in the highline and the homemade blankets.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always. Its always fun to see what words youhappen upon.
What a great, fun post, Janie! Of course, I love horses to begin with, but it's interesting how you guys do all this great stuff when you're camping! I bet the horses and Daisy have as much fun as you do! AND they stay warm and safe!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Sylvia
A very suitable H for the Horse-lovers you obviously are - and who take properly care of the animals.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, growing up on a farm, when we went hunting we put hobbles on two of the horses to keep them close to camp. The highline is a great improvement over the hobbles.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had enough space in this country(UK) for such rides. I would have loved it. I grew up with horses but only once went on a sort of long distance ride.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I've had to look at the atlas to see where Utah is-- I'm a bit in the dark about the position of the American states, being reasonably confident about California, Florida, Texas and very few others! ...great for my geography!
this is so interesting to me!!! I suppose the horses never lay down to sleep at night? I can't imagine...and those space blankets? SO cool. I bet they feel special when they wear them, like they are going out to a nightclub. :)
ReplyDeleteWell done on the letter H. I can't imagine why you would choose horses and their gear to illustrate your post ;). It is good to see you are keeping your friends warm and happy.
ReplyDeleteHow handy hubby and you have to be.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, space alien horses! Is that Steve's design?
ReplyDeleteHip hip hooray for your happy horses! Seriously, I was half-way through reading your post and I thought, 'I wonder if she realizes what she's doing?' - DUHHHHHH! Yep, I'm a little slow on the uptake! You're too funny ~ ♥
ReplyDeleteGlad you find ways of keeping your horses warm while out at nights. Love the space blankets... Neat idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of the bells...
Thanks for such an interesting post.
Hugs,
Betsy
happily heavy on alliteration
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great set-up! I know if I took my horse up the mts he'd need a blanket for sure. I like that highline.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, learned something new in that information with all the h's!
ReplyDeleteMy ABC & Watery Wednesday
Interesting information. My question is, how the horses lay down to rest or sleep?
ReplyDeleteVery good!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kelly
PS - love horses but never have been on one..
Great idea! As always, a fun and enlightening post!
ReplyDeleteHooray for happy horses :)
ReplyDeleteI just love these amazing peeks into your lifestyle, which I envy, even though I know I should not envy. But seriously, it sure looks beautiful, as do your well-heeled horses!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! I love their metallic insulating blankets!
ReplyDeleteIt's particularly interesting, because I keep greyhounds, and highlines, or tie-outs, are really NOT recommended for sighthounds because they tend to take off first and think later, so they're at risk of injury, especially if you use a collar. So .. horses being 'flight' animals, do they never take off and hurt themselves? I'm assuming it must be safe, or you wouldn't do it, but I have to ask - what happens if they are spooked?
Your horses look pretty proud of their outfits.
ReplyDeletelol, they are going to start a new fashion trend:)
ReplyDeleteMM: The space blankets were my idea. I didn't like to see Mischief shivering on a cold night, so I improvised.
ReplyDeletePhivos and Busy Bee: Only immature or very old horses need to lie down at night. Adults can rest one leg at a time while standing. They will lie down in the pasture in the afternoon sometimes - I think more for a sunbath than to rest. At night, though, they stand even at home, probably because their natural predators (cougar or wolf) would be active at night.
Jay: You're right, horses are flight animals, and I suppose there's always some danger in tying them. The highline, however, allows them to move 360 degrees and has some give, which generally prevents panic. A well-trained horse will move side to side rather than pulling back when tied by the halter.
Tying them high keeps them from getting caught in the rope and breaking a leg.
We've never had the horses panic at night. If we heard the bells around their necks start jangling, though, we'd be up right away to see what was wrong.
And very well loved and taken care of. Thanks for this lesson in the care of these beautiful animals. I found this post very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYour horses are definitely in style. I'm sure they also appreciate the good care you give to them.
ReplyDeleteYour horses look happy and handsome!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was an official term or technique. Those horses are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteexcellent again!!
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and informative post. Not from a horse-riding country, it is all very fascinating with me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Janie
ReplyDeleteyour horses appear as if they are hung out to dry on the line...especially the white one, he looks suspended from the line...
Happy days
How fun to learn more about your life with your horses. Who knew 'duct tape' and space age blankets would work so effectively? Thanks for sharing ;--)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,