Question about taming.

[DaJovialJove]

Are the animals tethered to the hitching post stopped after a certain distance during combat, or does the tether break immediately after combat is initiated?

[Sevenless]

Tether is broken immediately. You can use small liftable boulders spaced in such a way to prevent boars/cows/horses from getting through to help you tame. But sheep have the same sized hitbox as a player and will always get through.

Also note, you need to re-tether after combat or they vanish when the area unloads.