I have a box of old lead ropes. Most in good condition but they need new clips. What’s the secret to tying the clips onto the leadrope?
I tried youtube but wasn’t getting the results I hoped for.
Obviously I can buy new ones but I hate waste. There has to be a simple way to salvage them.
It depends on the rope.
Cotton twist? I would just backwhip a new clip on.
Nylon? I’d use one of the clamps they sell for this. Bagged 26 Rope Clamps - Weaver Equine
Other kinds of rope that are trickier? Probably a square, with the end electrical taped down.
If you can clearly see where the old clip went through the rope, feed a quick link through that space and attach a new clip to that. I love quick links for all sorts of little fixes. I have them in many sizes. They reattach tail cords, surcingles, extend chains for shutting gates etc. Almost as useful as baling twine!
I usually come across it the other way around, clips in seach of a new rope.
If you are so inclined you can backwhip the rope through the hook and into itself. Not sure if I would have the patience or the tools for that. Snatch a knot in it, call it a day.
Yeah same here - what kind of clips do you have OP that the clips keep breaking?
I like the bull-snap style clips. I just put the rope through the hole, fold it over about 2 or 3 inches, and then use color-coordinated heavy duty zip ties to fasten. Has worked very well for my mild-mannered mare, but may not be an ideal or permanent solution if you have horses who really pull. In that situation I’d opt for a rope halter, anyway.
The PROPER way to do it is by splicing the rope onto itself.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope_splicing for the general concept, and there seem to be plenty of You Tube (and similar) “How To” videos.
I can’t stand them. I once bought (by mistake) a leadrope with a bull snap, and it practically never was used.
I don’t like bull snaps either. Too hard on my thumbs.
Same dislike of bull snaps, but meanwhile:
https://www.animatedknots.com/chain-splice-knot (substitute snap “eye” for chain link)
I love the animated knots website!
Speaking of lead ropes, do you knot the other end or what else do you do to limit it fraying or unraveling. I melt the end of synthetics so they’ll slip through blocker tie rings, but I really prefer cotton lead ropes. A knot can be so large it’s even hard to slip through my trailer tie rings.
To keep the cotton from fraying, you “whip” the end of the rope. I use waxed dental floss. The flat stuff is easiest to work with.
I also use waxed dental floss to fold the rope back around the snap and sew it together. It is also possible to whip the rope together to hold the snap on.
You can buy a special waxed twine for this, but I can never find my spool when I need it.
Same answer (for cotton ropes) - splice the end back on itself. For variety, if you go “under/over” instead of “over/under” it makes a sort of tassel on the end. Nice looking.
(See animated knots link above or go to animated knots “back splice.”)
I don’t think they have one for the tassel I described but really it’s just reversing the direction, as I said.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
