6 Best Easy Clean Cross Ties For Muddy Farms That Stop Muddy Leg Woes
Simplify grooming on muddy farms. Our guide reviews 6 top-rated, easy-clean cross ties made from non-porous materials that keep your horse’s legs clean.
Mud season is the ultimate test of a hobby farmer’s patience and equipment. There’s nothing worse than wrestling a muddy horse into the wash stall, only to have your rope cross ties become another casualty, caked in grime and soaking up dirty water. This small frustration adds up, turning a simple task into a bigger cleanup job. The solution is simpler than you think: switching to the right kind of cross tie can eliminate this headache entirely.
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Why Coated Cross Ties Beat Rope on Muddy Farms
Let’s be honest, traditional rope or flat nylon web cross ties are a disaster on a muddy farm. They act like sponges, soaking up every drop of mud, manure, and dirty water. They become heavy, stiff when they dry, and can even freeze solid in the winter.
Coated webbing ties, often made from materials like BioThane or PVC-coated nylon, are completely non-porous. Mud and water simply can’t penetrate the surface. A quick wipe with a damp cloth or a spray from the hose is all it takes to make them look brand new. This isn’t just about looks; it means no mold, no mildew, and no funky barn smells clinging to your gear.
The real-world benefit is time and sanity. You aren’t fighting with stiff, dirty equipment or spending extra minutes scrubbing your ties after you’ve already spent time scrubbing your horse. It’s a small upgrade that makes a significant difference in your daily chore routine, especially during the wettest, muddiest parts of the year.
Taylored Tack BioThane Ties: Custom & Wipe-Clean
When you want something made exactly to your specifications, Taylored Tack is the answer. They use genuine BioThane, a polyester webbing with a PVC coating that is known for its durability and flexibility, even in freezing temperatures. The best part is the level of customization you get.
You can choose your exact length, which is a huge advantage for non-standard barn aisles or wash stalls. You also get to pick from a wide array of colors and select the type of hardware you prefer, from simple panic snaps to more robust bull snaps. This is the perfect option for the farmer who wants to match their barn colors or needs a very specific setup.
Think of these as the "buy it once, buy it right" option. The initial cost might be slightly higher than off-the-shelf ties, but you’re paying for top-tier materials and a product built to your barn’s unique needs. They are built to last and will likely outlive several cheaper alternatives.
Kensington Bungee Cross Ties: Gentle and Secure
For horses that get anxious or tend to pull back in the cross ties, a little bit of give can make all the difference. The Kensington Bungee Cross Ties offer just that. They incorporate a sturdy bungee section that gently absorbs shock if a horse panics or sets back.
This design can prevent a small spook from escalating into a full-blown panic, protecting both the horse and your equipment. The rest of the tie is made of a coated material, so you still get that essential wipe-clean benefit for muddy legs and splash-back. It’s a smart combination of safety and practicality.
The tradeoff here is the bungee itself. While durable, it is a point of mechanical wear and may stretch out over many years of heavy use. However, for a fidgety horse or one new to cross-tying, the added safety and peace of mind are well worth it.
Country Pride Coated Webbing: A No-Frills Option
Sometimes you just need something that works without any fuss. The Country Pride Coated Webbing cross ties are the workhorses of the barn. They are simple, tough, and incredibly effective at repelling mud and water.
These ties are typically made from a glossy, PVC-coated webbing that is completely waterproof and a breeze to clean. They come in standard lengths with durable, no-nonsense hardware. There are no fancy features, but they deliver on the core promise: a cross tie that won’t get gross and grimy.
This is an excellent choice if you value pure function over form. They are affordable, widely available, and will stand up to daily use in the muckiest conditions. If you need to outfit a whole barn without breaking the bank, this is a fantastic place to start.
Centaur Adjustable Coated Webbing for Any Setup
Flexibility is key on a small farm where spaces often serve multiple purposes. Centaur’s adjustable coated webbing ties are designed for exactly this kind of environment. Their key feature is a metal slide that allows you to easily change the length of the tie.
This is incredibly useful if your wash stall aisle is a different width than your grooming area, or if you sometimes need to tie a horse in a wider or narrower space. The coated webbing provides the mud-proof, wipe-clean surface you need, while the adjustability ensures you can get a safe, snug fit anywhere.
These ties are the problem-solvers for oddly shaped barns or for farmers who need their gear to adapt. Having that ability to quickly shorten or lengthen a tie without re-mounting hardware saves time and ensures your horse is always secured correctly.
Perri’s Beta Biothane Ties: Top Quality Finish
If you appreciate the look and feel of classic leather but need the modern convenience of a synthetic, Perri’s Beta Biothane ties are the top of the line. Beta Biothane has a matte finish and a softer, more flexible feel that closely mimics well-conditioned leather.
Perri’s is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, and that extends to their hardware. These ties feature heavy-duty brass or stainless steel snaps that are built to last and operate smoothly. You get the rugged, waterproof, and easy-to-clean performance of BioThane with a much more traditional and upscale look.
This is the choice for the discerning farmer who doesn’t want to compromise on aesthetics. They cost more, but you are paying for a superior finish and hardware that elevates the look of your barn while still providing all the practical benefits needed to combat mud.
Tough-1 Coated Nylon: The Best Budget-Friendly Tie
When you just need a functional, waterproof tie and budget is the primary concern, the Tough-1 Coated Nylon cross ties are hard to beat. They get the job done at a fraction of the price of premium brands.
These are typically made from a nylon webbing coated in a basic, glossy vinyl. The coating is effective at repelling mud and water, making them infinitely better than a standard rope tie. They are easy to wipe down and won’t absorb moisture.
The compromise is in the finer details. The coating may not be as thick or as flexible in extreme cold as genuine BioThane, and the hardware is functional but basic. Even so, for a spare set, for a low-use area, or for simply getting started, they are an excellent and affordable entry point into the world of easy-clean cross ties.
Setting Up Your Wash Stall to Minimize Mud Mess
Your cross ties are only one part of the equation. A well-designed wash stall makes the entire process of cleaning a muddy horse faster and cleaner. The goal is to manage water and mud so it goes where you want it to.
First, focus on the flooring and drainage. A concrete slab sloped toward a drain is ideal, but not always practical. A thick layer of crushed gravel or installing heavy-duty rubber mats with drainage channels works wonders. This prevents you and your horse from standing in a pool of muddy water.
Second, think about your layout.
- Mount your cross tie rings high enough that the ties stay off the floor.
- A wall-mounted hose boom keeps the hose from getting tangled underfoot and dragged through the mud.
- Keep a muck bucket and a scraper right at the entrance to the wash stall. Scrape off the worst of the caked-on mud before you even turn on the water. This single step can cut your hosing time in half and dramatically reduce the amount of mud going down your drain.
Upgrading your cross ties is a small investment that pays you back every single time you bring a muddy horse into the barn. By choosing a coated tie that fits your needs and budget, you reclaim precious time and eliminate one of the persistent frustrations of farm life. It’s a simple change that makes managing the mud just a little bit easier.
