The phrase "Never Saddle a Dead Horse" is a vital mnemonic used in the rigging industry. When installing a wire rope clip, the saddle—the forged part of the clip with a solid base and internal teeth—must always be placed on the live end of the wire rope.
The live end is the continuous part of the rope that is under tension and carrying the load. The U-bolt part of the clip must be placed on the dead end (the loose, non-load-bearing tail).
Wire rope clips consist of two main parts: a threaded U-bolt and a heavy-duty forged saddle, secured together by two nuts.
The live end is the long, load-bearing part of the rope. The dead end is the short, loose tail created after forming the eye.
Correct installation places the wide, protective saddle securely on the live end, and the U-bolt over the dead end.
Incorrect installation ("saddling a dead horse") significantly reduces the assembly's breaking strength and violates safety standards.
