Properly installed crossties in a barn allow you full access to your horse without him being in a stall and having the ability to move away from you. Crosstie training is necessary if your horse does not stand quietly when tied to a horse trailer, post or tie ring for 30 minutes or longer.
Things You'll Need
Horse height and weight tape.
Tape measure.
Permanent marker.
Cordless drill.
1/2 inch drill bit.
Two stainless steel large eye bolts.
Two horse breakaway cross ties.
Measure Your Horse
Measure the height of your tallest horse from the ground to his withers with a horse height and weight tape. Read the tape in inches rather than hands.
Measure the Wall
Measure upward from the ground on a wall stud or beam for your crossties to your horse's height plus 6 inches. Mark the spot with a permanent marker. Mark the second wall facing the first wall in the same manner so that each one is directly across from each other.
Install the Eye Bolts
Place a 1/2 inch drill bit in a cordless drill and drill a hole on each of the two marks on the walls. Insert the tip of a stainless steel large eye bolt into each hole. Turn the eye bolt clockwise to tighten it into the holes until the round end touches the wall.
Attach the Crossties
Open the solid brass snap on a horse breakaway crosstie and place it in an eye bolt hole. Release the snap to attach it to the eye bolt. Attach the second breakaway crosstie in the same manner.
Adjust the Crossties
Hold the loose ends of the two breakaway ties and bring them toward each other to touch in the center of the crossties. Adjust the length on the crossties if necessary to make them the correct length.
Tips
Adjustable crossties have a sliding buckle to adjust them in the same manner as a dog collar.
Warnings
The flooring in your crosstie area should be nonskid. If your area is concrete, add rubber mats for your horse to stand on.
References
Writer Bio
Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science. She loves writing about careers for busy families as well as family oriented planning, meals and activities for all ages.
