English word for rope used to tie a cow

I wanted to know if there is an English word to describe the rope used to tie a cow to its place (pole, etc) or a word to describe the process of tying a cow to its place (pole, etc).

I hope I have described it clearly so that you can understand. Please feel free to ask if I wasn't clear enough.

Solution 1:

The word you are looking for is tether it applies to various four-legged animals capable of being tethered.

verb

Tie (an animal) with a rope or chain so as to restrict its movement.

• ‘He still makes traditional cow bands, used by farmers for tethering cattle and other farm jobs, out of Egyptian flax on an old-fashioned rope-making sled and top.’

• ‘Cows were tethered near the wall, to provide milk, ghee and cow dung for the rituals.’

and

noun

A rope or chain with which an animal is tied to restrict its movement.

• ‘If enacted, the law might eliminate tethers and stalls for other classes of cattle.’

The Australian Veterinary Association provides specific guidelines for tethering animals

Tethering is defined as the securing of an animal to an anchor point to confine it to a desired area. It is used to prevent animals (e.g. dogs) straying in the owner’s absence or to allow animals (e.g. sheep and goats) to graze unfenced pasture. Tethering should not be confused with short-term tying up or with hobbling.

These guidelines have been developed to assist people to tether animals correctly when circumstances make it a necessary method of confining and protecting animals. They specify the requirements for tethering dogs, sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys and horses.

The origins of tether are

Late Middle English: from Old Norse tjóthr, from a Germanic base meaning ‘fasten’.

Collins Dictionary also has excellent definitions for tether.

Nowadays tether has a second meaning too.

usually as a noun tethering

Use (a smartphone) in order to connect a computer or other device to the Internet.

‘one prediction is that tethering will cost around $30 per month, probably with some cap on the amount of data transfer allowed’

Hobbling as referred to in the AVA guidelines above is when the animals back legs are tied to prevent them from kicking, e.g. when milking a cow or when cows are calving.

The devices are known as hobbles, kickers, spancels or fetters

Hobble, spancel, and fetter can also be used as verbs when they are being applied to the animals.

There is an idiomatic expression "to be at the end of your tether" which derives from the word.

at the end of your rope having no strength or patience left:

By six o'clock after a busy day I'm at the end of my tether.

Solution 2:

I think you are referring to a halter:

a : a rope or strap for leading or tying an animal

(M-W)

From www.martinsupply.com

Weaver leather rope halter.