I volunteer with the Scouts, and the kids are often resistant to learning knots. "When will we use that in real life?" they say. Well, as a horse trainer, I tie knots all day, every day! I wanted to pull together a reference for you to learn some knots you might not have realized exist, but I find so helpful.
The "Rabbit round the tree" reference is to the bowline- it makes a loop that does not tighten. If you tie a bowline and slip it over your horse's head, and then pass the rope over his nose and through the loop around his neck, you can make a makeshift halter. Handy for catching loose horses you find on the side of the road when you only have a dog leash in your car.
The alpine butterfly loop- useful for a highline, or any time you need an attachment loop in the middle of a rope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc89VZ9JkN0
How to tie a western cinch (Latigo Knot) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZtmJen1wgk
V rig your western saddle- my preference. No flank cinch, and it gets the knot out from under your leg. You need extra-long latigos on both sides of the saddle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9F9nt7KzTY
To tie those new latigos to your saddle- https://youtu.be/2UUm8nxdAxQ
How to tie the rope halter, and several other ways to secure your horse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytnjwMHN4
Make your rope halter into a cavesson with a prusik hitch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMz8Qg1uBu4
Two ways to tie split reins together (I prefer the second) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af9uES9c1c4
Tie waterloops to the bit (or a tie on headstall) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1V6kyKEATU
Overhand loop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvm8yI8BRU4
Taut line hitch https://youtube.com/shorts/GTi6j7d16Xc
To secure a partial bale of hay, tie an overhand loop in one end of the twine, then tie a taut line through it with the other end. pull to tighten. If you don't have enough twine, use another piece to extend the length as needed.
I hope you find these videos useful. I will add to this page with how I use these knots as well.
Thanks for reading!
