DRAW HITCH OR HIGHWAY MAN’S HITCH OR THIEF HITCH
The highwayman’s hitch is a type of knot. It is a quick-release, draw loop hitch popular for
temporarily securing horses. There are two main features to this hitch. It can be untied with a tug
of the working end, and the working and standing ends are released on the same side of the
object (ex. pipe fence rail) that was tied on to.
Both of these features are desirable when dealing with horse emergencies where a panicked
animal may be straining against a tied off lead rope. Because the working (free) and standing
(horse) ends release on the same side of the object tied to, the free end of the rope is not whipped
around behind the rail by the animal, thereby forcing the quick-release grip on the rope to be
abandoned.
DRAW HITCH
The knot is three bights linked through one another. To tie, begin by forming a bight behind the
pole. Next, pass a bight formed from the standing part (the end that will receive tension) over the
pole and through the first bight. Then, pass a bight formed from the working end over the pole
and through the second bight. Pull the standing part tight to ensure that it holds. Until the knot is
tightened and properly dressed the highwayman’s hitch has little holding power. When properly
tied to posts or rails of approximately 2.5 – 3 inches diameter using the large diameter,
compressible ropes commonly used for hose leads, it can be a remarkably secure knot.
FIREMAN’S CHAIR KNOT
FIREMAN’S CHAIR KNOT
FIREMAN'S CHAIR KNOT
FIREMAN'S CHAIR KNOT
Make half hitch. Right under left.
Make a second half hitch. Again right under left.
Bring right hitch in front of left hitch.
Grab hitches as shown. Pull through.
Make another half hitch. Put loop through.
Make half hitch on the left. Put loop through.
Pull ends to tighten
Use:
The fireman’s chair knot is a rescue knot. There are two loops formed. One which goes under the
arms; the other under the legs of person.
Care should be taken when tying this knot.
MANHARNESS KNOT
MANHARNESS KNOT
MANHARNESS KNOT
The principal use of this knot is to make a loop in the middle of a rope that is being used for
hauling or climbing. A man can then use the loop as a harness over his shoulder so he can put his
full weight to its best use. Form an underhand loop as shown at top. Grasp the loop at (A) and lay
it over the part of rope shown by the arrow. The result will be shown in the middle drawing. Now
grasp the rope at (B) and draw it up under and over as shown at bottom. This forms the bight
which becomes the loop for your shoulder. Draw the knot tight before using it.