The highwayman's hitch is a hitch where you have one end that will stay when pulled and the other will allow for a quick release by tugging that end. This knot could be used to tie a horse up so that when required the rope can be released by pulling the loose end. Essentially this knot is a clever combination of bights and is rather easy and fun to tie!
Steps
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1
Take a piece of rope. http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/d/d6/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-1-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-1-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/d/d6/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-1-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-1-preview-Version-2.jpg
/1/13/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 1.360p.mp4
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2
Make a bight (a loop) and bring it around a pole. In this illustration, the right side will be the standing end and the left will be the quick release end. If you are using this knot to secure a horse, the horse would be tied to the right side.
http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/4/46/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-2-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-2-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/4/46/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-2-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-2-preview-Version-2.jpg
/b/b1/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 2.360p.mp4
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3
Now make another bight on the standing end. http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/a0/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-3-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-3-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/a0/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-3-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-3-preview-Version-2.jpg
/4/42/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 3.360p.mp4
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4
Pull the bight through the original bight, as shown. http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/7/73/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-4-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-4-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/7/73/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-4-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-4-preview-Version-2.jpg
/4/46/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 4.360p.mp4
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5
Make a bight on the quick release end (working end). http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/b/bd/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-5-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-5-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/b/bd/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-5-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-5-preview-Version-2.jpg
/1/11/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 5.360p.mp4
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6
Pull that bight through the second bight. http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/0/03/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-6-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-6-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/0/03/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-6-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-6-preview-Version-2.jpg
/3/31/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 6.360p.mp4
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7
Pull the standing end to tighten the hitch. To untie or collapse the hitch, pull the quick release end.
http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/36/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-7-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-7-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/36/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-7-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-7-preview-Version-2.jpg
/7/72/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 7.360p.mp4
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8
Finished. http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/a9/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-8-preview-Version-2.jpg/550px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-8-preview-Version-2.jpg
http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/a9/Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-8-preview-Version-2.jpg/300px-Tie-a-Quick-Release-Knot-%28Highwayman%27s-Hitch%29-Step-8-preview-Version-2.jpg
/b/b2/Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwaymans Hitch) Step 8.360p.mp4
Tips
- When you are confident of producing a workmanlike knot, that holds securely & releases every time, add the horse.
- Practice without a live animal attached to the clip end. Try an object like a bucket.
- Inserting multiple bights will help make the hitch more stable. It would be harder for it to be undone.
- Some horses can & will undo a quick release knot. In an emergency use a lead rope back to front, clip on tie ring, tie knot on to head collar, to foil such a devious character's plans!
- Long term solution, add a piece of chain with a clip on each end to the regular tethering places of such animals. Use a rope only for leading.
Warnings
- Do not allow too much loose rope or the horse will get a foot/leg over the rope.
- Only tie up to solid objects to avoid nasty accidents. For example, do not tie to a gate, a horse could pull the gate open or shut, trapping & injuring itself. Or lift it completely off its hinges then panic & run off 'chased' by the gate! A fence/gate post is a much better option when a properly installed ring is not available.
- Never leave a horse tied up unattended.
- Never tie directly to the tie ring. if a horse is in a panic it will hurt itself if it can't escape. tie the lead rope on a piece of string attached to the tie ring instead. It is better to catch a horse than to treat an injured one.
- Watch out for potential hazards when choosing a tethering place.
- Keep a very sharp knife (safely) to hand with a horse you do not know so you can cut them free should they pull back in a panic. Any knot will be pulled far too tight to undo.
- Only tie up a horse that you know will tie.
- Choose a high enough tie ring for the same reason. Between shoulder to head height, human or horse when both are in proportion.