If it gets to water it may fill the nosebag with water and drown. A preferred method of tying horses is with the use of a high line. Lead ropes are tied along the high line so that the halter snap is two feet from the ground. This allows the horse to lie down yet not get tangled. A rule of thumb is tie horses shorter when you will not be nearby or be able to see them such as at night.
Horses seem more relaxed and content when bed to a high line than with other methods.
They seldom pull against the line because there is nothing solid to pull against. Where the high line goes around the tree, the bark should be protected by padding, such as a cinch or gunny sack. In addition, the lash cinch can absorb tree pitch which could make your pack animal very uncomfortable. The high line prevents the horse from getting around the tree, damaging the bark or root system. As with other methods of restraining horses, the high line should be set up away from the immediate camp area away from the trail and back in the trees where the least ground cover will be disturbed.