Watch the TESTING

A controlled experiment to test Elastic Tie-ups in a panic situation using a 1 000 kg crane as our instrument of force to represent the pulling power of a horse.

Key Findings about Elastic Tie-ups

Dangerous Catapult

The extreme stretchiness in the elastic tie-ups can, in a panic situation, result in the horse loosing its balance.

  • Either the horse is catapulted so it does a summersalt and lands on its withers and back.
  • Or the horse is stuck on its side, not able to get up, and panicking even more.

These types of elastic tie-ups can cause serious injuries to both horses and handlers.

Extreme Resistance to Release

The elastic tie-ups can withstand a lot of force. We could “only” stretch it for 7,5 meters due to the height of the crane, but that created over + 158 kg. This kind of pressure is putting significant stress on the horse’s neck during panic situations.

The panic hooks can withstand weights from 244 kg to +500 kg, making manual release difficult or impossible under pressure.

Recoil
Force

The extreme stretchiness in the elastic tie-ups can result in a powerful recoil if the tie-up breaks or is suddenly released from the wall.

This has resulted in serious injuries or even death to both horses and handlers.

False Sense of Security

The panic hooks on the elastic tie-ups are far away from anything safe, or a zone of comfort.

Despite being marketed as a panic hook or safety snaps, the panic hook does not automatically release in panic situations, endangering horses and the people around them.

To be able to relase a panicking horse you need to come very close to the frantic horse. 

Some people think that elasticity is good – but that is before the experience of when it comes fire back like a sling shot. 

Unnecessary
Weight

Using elastic tie-ups on delicate horses, with the excessive weight on the neck is not very horse friendly. This is relevant whilst standing in lorries, during shoeing or  grooming. This does not focus on the horses wellbeing and is a old fashioned method of attachment.

A horse’s body is an intricate and finely tuned precision body.
Every excess pound on the neck:

  • Multiplies joint stress exponentially
  • Limits soft tissues capabilities
  • Accelerates degenerative processes.

 

Dangerous Breakage

When they are put under pressure, some of them do break.

The elastic parts or metal shrapnel can fly at high speeds from the panic hooks, risking injury to both horses and handlers.

We have had reports of people who, when the elasticated slingshot comes fireing back, have lost half of their faces. Some horses have lost their balance when the pull of the elasticated tie-ups set in, and therefore have:

  • Broken legs
  • Crushed withers
  • Died on the spot because of broken necks
  • Totally disrupted their muscles for life
  • Etc…..    

grooms opinion

Experiences from around the globe, managing delicate horses, she has seen what works and what doesn´t whilst handling horses. Listen to what Paulina has to say about the elastic tie-ups:

Part of a horse black and white
Farrier Master at Flyinge

I absolutely do not like…

 

“Some types of tie ups that I absolutely do not like are the thick rubber ones.”

Johan M / Farrier Master
Farrier ReG Equimade

It’s too dangerous!

“Having something close to the head is not the solution because you don’t go there.

When a horse panics, you don’t want to be close to the head. It’s too dangerous!

You have to move away from the horse when it panics.

So I’ve seen a lot of accidents when there is no release mechanism on the tie ups.”

Rebecca G / DIF WCF
Rider Sara Equimade

Panic snaps are completely useless!

“Panic snaps are completely useless.

Used them before, but when they get tensioned, you can’t pull, they won’t release.”

Sara G / Jumping Rider
Uppbindningsgrimskaft säkert i stall och på resa
Farrier EE Equimade

I was almost crushed!

“There was a time at another stable. Someone decided to climb up and fix some things on the ceiling.

Then the horse got scared and it tried to back off, but it was stuck and fixed in place with no release.

I was almost crushed.

That was very dangerous.”

Emilie E / Farrier Student
Farrier Master at Flyinge

Came back like a catapult, did a somersault, and landed on its back!.

“I shod a horse that was tied up in a wash stall with the thick rubber ones.

The horse backed up all the way, then it came back like a catapult, did a somersault, and landed on its back.

I had to cut it loose.

Since then, I have never worked with rubber tie ups again.”

Johan M / Farrier Master and Teacher at Flyinge,
Swedish Equestrian Centers of Excellence

FarrierStudent AH Equimade

It can be dangerous if there is no release!

“It’s very difficult, especially with the young horses. It can be dangerous if there is no release.”

Anna H / Farrier Student
Easy Connect in stable is an innovative break away tie up system for horses that is safe and reliable when you have learned the horse some ground handling.
Farrier RG Equimade

Horses hanging on their backs!

What bad experiences have you had or seen?

“A lot. A lot.
Dead horses,
horses hanging on their backs.
That happens all the time.”

Rebecca / DIP WCF
Rider Sara Equimade

If you’ve been badly injured a few times, what’s safe doesn’t become expensive!

“Safety costs.

If you’ve been badly injured a few times, what’s safe doesn’t become expensive.”

Sara G / Stable Owner
Paragliding adventure Equimade

“Safety hooks” – They do not work as some people seem to think!

Do “safety-hooks” release?

“No – they do not work as some people seem to think.

Only if they are old and worn out.

If you are lucky, it will be a quick jerk and they are so weak that the horse manages to release them itself because they can reach them.”

John N / Adventure & Farrier
Tie-up horse in grooming area when grooming it needs to have a good innovative break away tie up system that is safe for the horse as well as the handler.
Farrier Sofia Equimade

They can fire back in your face!

I like that they’re (EasyConnect) not elastic!

When they’re elastic they can fire back in your face!

Sofia L / Farrier Student
Running adventure Equimade

So-called safety carabiners that do not release.

“There are so many bad experiences.

So-called safety carabiners that do not release.

Horses that fall over and hang, etc.”

John N / Farrier & UTMB Runner
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Often you do not know the consequences of a horse being stuck until much later!

“Often you do not know the consequences of a horse being stuck until much later.

Perhaps it has affected the neck, or if they sit on their hind legs it is not what the horse is made for either.

I have seen some injuries to the legs, where the horse has injured itself in panic situations, or when a tool has gotten in between and injured the horses.”

Benny J / Farrier Teacher
RL9A1603 Equimade
Farrier Rasping Equimade

If so called safety carabiners are old and worn out, they will release!

“If so-called safety carabiners are old and worn out, they will release.

If you are lucky, it will be a quick jerk and they are so weak that the horse manages to release them itself because they can reach them.”

John N / Ultra Runner & Farrier
Farrier RG Equimade

Can’t get close enough to release it!

“Some horses throw themselves and then the halter breaks.

If you have a really old leather halter and you think it will break and then suddenly it doesn’t break.

You can’t get close enough to release it because it’s to dangerous!”

Rebecca G / Farrier Teacher
Farrier SL Equimade

They snap back!

“I know some people that are using tie ups that are elastic.

They can snap and so on.

Where the horses have gotten scared, and they have broken.

Then they snap back.

Sebastian L / Farrier Student
Close place scaled Equimade
Farrier AnH Equimade

He injured his neck because he couldn´t release himself!

“We had a horse at home that backed away a lot when he was tied up and he injured his neck because he couldn´t release himself.”

Anna H / Farrier Student
Safety hooks for horses are not safe Equimade

So-called “safety carabiner hooks”

“In order for a so-called safety carabiner hooks to release, you must pull on them with your hand.”

John N / Paraglider & Farrier
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The halter usually breaks and then they are loose!

“Well, it’s when they get stuck, everything has been too strong and then the halters usually break and then they are loose.

When this happens it is a much, much greater force than if they panic with these tie ups (Easy Connect).”

Tommy S / Farrier Teacher & Breeder
Tie-up training introduce in the stall, the place the horse already knows and is comfortable in and looks relaxed. With a person standing close watching over the horses reactions.
Farrier Clipping Equimade

Everything happens so fast!

“The horses, they push their head forwards fast and then they pull backwards and everything happens so fast.

And that’s what I like, is that they (Easy Connect) release here at the wall or pole attachment.”

Rebecca G / Farrier Teacher
Blacksmith Equimade

When things come flying!

“I have shod a lot of horses.

I have certainly seen many different types of injuries to horses and halters that have broken.

But the scariest thing is almost when the construction that they are fixed to doesn’t hold.

When things come flying.

I once saw a wall collapse in a stable. And a doorframe once came loose.

So I’m most afraid that they’re tied up to the wrong things.”

Johan M / Farrier Teacher
Paragliding Equimade

Pretty poor mindset in the equestrian sport!

“Overall, there is a pretty poor safety mindset in the equestrian sport – considering that they are large animals weighing 600 kg that can run right over you.”

John N / Experienced Farrier
Uppbindningsgrimskaft säkert i stall och på resa
Ice axe farrier Equimade

It’s slippery ground, they fall over, lie and struggle…

“The worst is almost when the horses have thrown themselves and they are stuck.

It’s slippery ground, they fall over, lie and struggle, then they get even more panicked.”

John N / Ice climber & Farrier
Farrier CF Equimade

On the old tie ups I can not get close enough to release it at the halter!

“I was close to the horse when it panicked at home.

On the old tie ups (Easy Connect) I can not get close enough to release it at the halter.

With these tie ups, I can easily release it at the fixings so I am not too close.”

Caijsa F / Farrier Student
Farrier ReG Equimade

They have to release!

“If a horse panics and they’re rearing up, you don’t want to be at the head, you can’t get there when they panic, it’s too dangerous, so that’s much better that it releases at the attachment.

They have to release!”

Rebecca G / Farrier Teacher & Breeder
Tie-up in crossties in the solarium with a relaxed horse enjoying the warmth from the infrared heater.
close up with an old halter but sharp logo Equimade

Once you’ve experienced that, you don’t want to go through it again!

“A few years ago, I had a horse that got stuck.

It came to a sudden stop. Eventually, they released, and when the horse reared up, it was a challenging situation.

Once you’ve experienced that, you don’t want to go through it again.
It didn’t feel good.
Panic sets in.
What do I do?
How do I calm it down, etc.?

I was just trying to calm it down when it was so agitated.
I myself was a bit shaky, and it wasn’t easy to reattach it.”

Tove G / Jumping Groom
IMG 3110 Equimade

Suddenly they feel that it’s too tight and then they throw themselves in a panic!

Have you been involved in anything that comes flying and such?

“That there is good space around so you don’t get crowded or stuck anywhere.

It is different from other sports, where the equipment does not attack you!

The most common thing is that it happens when you clinch the nail.

Then the horse moves a little without you really noticing it.

Suddenly they feel that it’s too tight and then they throw themselves in a panic.”

John N / Experienced Farrier
Farrier JF Equimade

Just old chains and stuff rusting away!

“When it comes to safety I think the equine world is a little bit behind.

There’s a lot of stables around that just have old chains and stuff is rusting away.”

Josefine F / Farrier Student

The extreme stretch capability of bungee rubber tie-ups presents significant challenges for both horse behaviour and overall safety. Unlike traditional tie-ups, these elastic restraints fail to provide clear boundaries for the horse, leading to confusion about where it should stand. This lack of consistent feedback can result in the horse constantly testing its limits, potentially causing stress and anxiety.

Moreover, the unpredictable nature of the stretch makes it difficult for handlers to anticipate the horse’s range of movement, increasing the risk of accidents during routine care.

Perhaps more alarmingly, the potential for elasticated tie-ups to break under tension, poses a severe safety hazard. When a bungee suddenly snaps, it can shoot back with life-changing force towards the horse or handler.

This risk of injury is particularly concerning given that signs of wear may not always be visible, making it challenging to assess when a tie-up needs replacement.

The combination of unclear boundaries and the potential for sudden, forceful recoil creates an environment where both horses and handlers are at constant risk of serious injury.

The use of bungee rubber tie-ups can have detrimental long-term physical effects on horses.

One of the primary concerns is the extreme amount of weight placed on the horse’s neck over time.

As the bungee stretches and contracts, it can exert forces of hundreds of kilograms on the horse’s neck and head. This repeated stress can lead to muscular strain, skeletal misalignment, and potential damage to the cervical vertebrae.

During a panic situation, these issues are exacerbated. As a horse struggles against the elastic resistance, it may continue to panic until something breaks. This prolonged period of stress and physical exertion can result in severe muscular and skeletal injuries. The constant tension and release of the bungee can cause micro-tears in muscles and ligaments, leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility over time.

The unpredictable nature of the bungee’s resistance means that the horse may inadvertently injure itself by sudden movements when the tie-up reaches its maximum stretch or suddenly contracts. These cumulative effects can significantly impact a horse’s long-term health, performance, and quality of life.

Bungee rubber tie-ups can have a negative impact on both the stable environment and its professional appearance.

One immediate issue is the excessive noise these tie-ups produce. When horses are detached, the bungees tend to swing and bounce, causing their metal panic hooks or carabiners to create disruptive clanging sounds. This noise pollution can be stressful for horses, whose sensitive hearing makes them particularly susceptible to such disturbances, and it can create an unpleasant working environment for handlers and visitors alike.

The appearance of these tie-ups also deteriorates over time, detracting from the stable’s professional image. As the rubber ages, it becomes brittle and prone to cracking, giving an unkempt and neglected appearance. This weathered look can give clients and visitors the impression of poor maintenance and lack of attention to detail.

The use of such visibly degraded equipment may raise questions about the overall quality of care provided at the facility. From a professional standpoint, the presence of these tie-ups may be seen as outdated or even negligent, especially given the availability of safer, more purpose-designed alternatives.

Modern equestrian facilities are expected to prioritize safety, horse welfare, efficiency and aesthetics, and the use of worn, noisy bungee tie-ups fails to meet these standards. Ultimately, their use can create an environment that appears less professional, potentially deterring clients and undermining the stable’s credibility in horse care and management.