Friday, February 13, 2009

Baling Twine...the Farm Diva's Friend


Have you ever wondered what to do with all that baling twine you've managed to collect over the years? Aside from rolling them into a large ball in an attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records, that is? Well, this Farm Diva is here to help you out with that age old question.

The obvious thing to do with baling twine is mend fences. In the photo above you can see that I've used it to tie the round pen panel, which is doubling as a paddock divider, to the barn using a lovely blue twine. You can also tie toys to entertain your equine friends to panels or stalls with twine.

Darling likes to use twine as an emergency lead rope.

I've used it as a neck strap around Sandy's neck to help guide him while I'm goofing around bareback and bridleless.

When I was a kid, I braided several pieces of twine together and fashioned a harness for my horse and forced him to pull me through the snow on my plastic sled.

Baling twine makes a nice shoelace.

Take it apart and use it as dental floss...eh?

How about this...you can use it as streamers at your cousin's wedding! And absolutely you should use it as the string for the helium balloons and to tie those beer cans to the back of the newlywed's car. Okay...folks may consider you a bit of a redneck if you were decorating with baling twine, but who cares, right? You're recycling, and that's good. Not to mention you're getting rid of the baling twine, which is even better.

For a few more ideas on what you can do with baling twine, I've give you these links. And please feel free to share what you do with baling twine at your place!

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/diyhowtomake_sfye.htm

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/diyhowtomake_sfye.htm

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/farm_ranch/management/balingtwine030703/

http://horses.about.com/od/productandbookreviews/tp/balertwine.htm

8 comments:

wilsonc said...

My horse has a long beautiful tail. I'd like to keep it that way, so I keep it bagged. In the summer I braid it and wrap it with vet wrap, find multiple pieces of baling twine of about equal length, fold it over, and attached it with vet wrap to the wrapped tail giving Boo the fly swatter he needs while still protecting his tail.

Becky said...

I always found it handy to keep a couple of pieces in my car for emergencies. I LOVE twine, so long as it's taken care of (and not dropped and ground into the dirt. That's such a pet peeve for me.)

I'm trying to remember what I have used it for... I know I've used it as a makeshift dog leash more than once. At times, I even included a stylish matching twine collar. I Have another friend that looped it between the bars in her stall to create a wind barrier (it took about a year, but it looked rather nice when done.)

City Boy said...

No where in your hints and tips did I see your number one use for baling twine? What might that be you ask? It’s bringing your husbands lawn mower to a complete stop and then giving him the pleasure of spending the next hour trying to dig the twine out of the mower blades!

CTG Ponies said...

Baling twine and duct tape are must haves at the barn! We've used it for emergency fencing, neck ropes, on muck buckets. It's very handy!

froglander said...

I like the blue twine better than the orange twine. And yes, I have often used it for a makeshift halter/lead, or to tie a door shut, or tie a tarp down, umm, as a belt once or twice, I'm sure I could think of more if given enough time, lol.

Anonymous said...

I love bailing twine! I use it to teach my students how to braid, before they experiment on a horse's tail and I tie it to a post and then attach a lead rope. That way if a horse acts crazy the twine just breaks and he gets free without any injury.

Shirley said...

Let's see; current uses are for hanging oat buckets, securing panels, securing tarps... I have used them as emergency leg straps on horse blankets, pocket catch ropes, hanging flower pots,multi uses when packing and moving, like tying up boxes; but one of the neatest things I have seen done with twine is making a shank for saddlebronc riding-that thick shank that goes to the bronc halter.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

Probably have used all those suggestions at one time or the other. Its what I use to take the horses out of their stalls to outside every day. Just loop it around their necks. Its hand dandy and along with duct tape is a great thing to have on hand.