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Warning: that 'easy' draft horse job in Lancaster almost cost me a finger. | Farriers - Talk Freely

Warning: that 'easy' draft horse job in Lancaster almost cost me a finger.

I was trimming a big Percheron gelding at a farm out there about two months ago. The owner said he was 'a little fussy' but that was a huge understatement. I had him cross-tied in a wash stall, which I thought was fine. I was working on his near hind, rasping the hoof wall, when he suddenly decided he was done. He didn't just pull his foot away, he threw his whole weight sideways against the ties. One of the quick-release snaps on the cross-tie failed, the nylon strap whipped back, and his shoulder slammed into my arm. My hand, with the rasp, got pinned against the concrete block wall. I heard a crunch. I was lucky it was just a bad sprain and a deep cut, not a break. That 'little fussy' turned into a major safety lesson. Now I won't even start on a big horse without checking every single piece of hardware in the area first, and I bring my own heavy-duty cross-ties to jobs like that. Has anyone else had a close call that made you change your whole setup for draft breeds?

3 comments

3 Comments

valh325mo ago

Jump off what evan_campbell and the_piper said about panic snaps. I had a similar thing happen with a Shire where the cross-tie clip just popped off the ring like it was nothing. Now I only use panic snaps that are rated for way more than the horse weighs, and I check them for rust or wear before every job. @evan_campbell is right about one solid point too - I tie to a heavy ring or post and keep a pair of sharp scissors on my belt just in case. It's slower than cross-ties but my fingers are worth the extra minute.

evan_campbell5mo ago

After a similar scare, I started using a single, solid tie point with a panic snap instead of cross-ties.

the_piper5mo ago

Used to think cross-ties were the safest option for big guys. Figured two points were better than one. Saw a Belgian shift his weight and pop a clip just like you described. Now I'm with Evan. One solid anchor point with a heavy-duty panic snap is my only rule. That single moment changed my whole approach.