For a mecate rein on a snaffle bit, what material do you like? I have some yacht/stable braid rope that you could buy by the foot that I have used, but I took it off because it just felt /too/ heavy.
http://www.doublediamondhalters.com/Rope%20Samples/700%20colors.htm
I’ve seen one like this before, braided parachute cord, and it felt nice, but I was just wondering if there was a preference when it came to what you use with a snaffle?
I really like the parachute cord.
That’s kind of what I was leaning towards, just was curious of others’ opinions, thank you 
I like the parachute cord too, but I have some yacht rope ones that are nice as well. It’s hard to pick a nice mecate without feeling it first. It comes down to what is comfortable for your hands.
Any good places to get a braided parachute cord mecate from? The only one I know is Double Diamond? (I’ve seen one of theirs before years ago and thought it felt nice, but also didn’t know anything at that point, lol)
As much as I love hair ropes, I’d honestly avoid them with a snaffle. The kink that slobber straps put in the ropes is hard to get out unless you ALWAYS use it as such. I like to be able to untie and properly hang my hair ropes each ride, and you can’t do that with slobbers.
My snaffle rig is done with 5/8" yacht braid roping reins: http://www.easphotography.com/Tindur/TindurSnaffle.jpg
I like their weight and feel, which has more of a signal quality to it. Riding my wife’s horse with leather english reins feels very insubstantial compared to it. Would prefer a mecate setup, but have had these reins for years and I don’t ride the snaffle outside enough to bother with something new. Mine were custom length ones from CrazyRopesByDebbie and VERY nicely back braided, but I think she may not be around anymore.
[QUOTE=airhorse;7398870]
http://www.freckerssaddlery.com/product.php?p=221&c=1
You will not be disappointed.[/QUOTE]
Lol, those are from Double Diamond if you look at the tag
[QUOTE=aktill;7399087]
As much as I love hair ropes, I’d honestly avoid them with a snaffle. The kink that slobber straps put in the ropes is hard to get out unless you ALWAYS use it as such. I like to be able to untie and properly hang my hair ropes each ride, and you can’t do that with slobbers.
My snaffle rig is done with 5/8" yacht braid roping reins: http://www.easphotography.com/Tindur/TindurSnaffle.jpg
I like their weight and feel, which has more of a signal quality to it. Riding my wife’s horse with leather english reins feels very insubstantial compared to it. Would prefer a mecate setup, but have had these reins for years and I don’t ride the snaffle outside enough to bother with something new. Mine were custom length ones from CrazyRopesByDebbie and VERY nicely back braided, but I think she may not be around anymore.[/QUOTE]
I have yacht braid rope in both a roping rein length and a mecate length that I’ve tried with slobber straps, and while I was looking for something with more of a “feel” to it than my english reins, these, with the slobber straps, just seem /too/ heavy sometimes? Or maybe I’m doing something wrong not sure.
[QUOTE=froglander;7399296]
Lol, those are from Double Diamond if you look at the tag :)[/QUOTE]
Pretty sure they they have someone else making theirs now, might be an old pic.
That weight is a presignal to traditional contact, in my mind, so I quite like it. I think it particularly helps when you go to riding with the reins in one hand. You may not end up with “straight” reins before you have enough feel to get a soft feel, but that’s not a big deal, more of an appearance thing.
Long or heavy slobber straps, in addition to allowing the use of a mecate at all, serve the same pre signal purpose.
When he gets to trotting, the slobber straps and stuff bounce. Is that normal? It seems like it wouldn’t be that comfortable on his mouth?
I got mine from Frecker’s, too, but honestly I don’t know what they are! I’m guessing yacht rope by the look and feel of them. I really like them. They are indeed heavier and thicker than what I was used to from my english background, but I like the feel and weight of them. Yes, if you don’t have “contact” as thought of in a dressage reference, they will swing around a bit.
So the slobber straps and reins flopping along at a trot is normal then?
[QUOTE=froglander;7399769]
So the slobber straps and reins flopping along at a trot is normal then?[/QUOTE]
They shouldn’t flop in my opinion.
That is why I like a heavy McCarty, they will swing but not flop.
Not a huge fan of the yacht rope for that reason. Can’t say that I have ever tried the paracord rein.
Thanks for posting this link! I too have been looking for a good mecate for my snaffle set up.
I like mohair braided reins best.
I don’t like those new round thicker reins with artificial materials, like some lead ropes, too stiff.
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