In this piece, I’m going to discuss the subject What Are Mecate Reins Used For?, and I’m going to do my best to provide as much relevant information as I can.
mecate reins
are used for
early horse training
In fact, the mecate and
bosal setup
is considered to be a variation on Spanish vaquero training. The weight and texture of the rein helps to facilitate the training by providing subtle cues to the horse.
Slobber Straps: What is the purpose of slobber straps
While they may have an odd name, slobber straps’ purpose is a simple one – they are pieces of leather that attach reins to the bit and act as a hinge of sorts Because of their weight,
slobber straps
give the horse a pre-signal when the rider picks up on the reins that contact is about to be made with the bit.
What does mecate mean?
Definition of mecate 1 West : a rope usually of horsehair that is used for leading or tying or as
hackamore reins
2 : an old unit of land area formerly used in the Yucatan region equal to about 400 square meters or ¹/₁₀ acre.
What is the difference between a bosal and a hackamore?
Difference:
A hackamore is a bosal noseband with reins attached. A hackamore is a whole piece of equipment, while the bosal is the specific nosepiece used on it or a single piece of tack Both can improve the communication between horse and rider.
Why are split reins so long?
Reins:
What is the purpose of Split reins? To break young/inexperienced horses – you can adjust them to any range desired which makes it easier to help control a young horse’s head. To ride older horses that know how to neck rein – 8-ft long split reins allow you to adjust the length to a comfortable width.
Slobber Straps: Can you use leather reins with slobber straps
Slobber Strap Uses Slobber straps can also be used to connect reins that aren’t traditionally used with a bit , such as traditional horse-hair mecate reins, to a bit.
Can you use slobber straps on a
shank bit
?
Snaffle Bit: Slobber straps are most commonly attached to a snaffle bit, although they can be used on a leverage bit.
Snaffle Bit: Why is a snaffle bit used
A snaffle bit is a common type of horse bit that is gentle on the horse’s mouth. Comprised of either a single bar or two to three jointed pieces between large rings on either side, snaffle bits make it easy for riders to communicate with their horse and are commonly used to train young horses and beginner riders.
Romel Reins: What are Romel reins
Romal reins are an extension of braided material attached to closed reins and can be found in many western events from reining, working cow horse and
ranch riding
to
western pleasure
and trail. Trainer Jay McLaughlin regularly uses romal reins with his reining and reined cow horses.
Slobber Leather: What is slobber leather
Slobber straps/leathers are strips of leather used to connect a mecate to a snaffle bit , functioning much like rein chains do for romal reins.
English Reins: Why do English reins have a buckle
Most Western reins only have one set of buckles, those that connect the reins to the bit. As with
english bridles
, it is customary for the reins to connect to the bit so that the buckles face away from the horse’s skin.
Length Reins: What length reins do I need
Depending if you have a horse or pony, a full size rein should be 1.5m in length and for a pony 1.3m For jumping or flat racing the full size rein will need to be shorter in length to 1.4m, for when a shorter hold is needed. Most reins now are sold in four sizes: pony, cob, full and extra-full.
Slobber Strap: How do you attach a slobber strap to a bit
First, attach the slobber straps to the rings of the bit The slobber strap will fold in half, and align the holes. Then take the popper end of your mecate rein. Pass this through all four holes of the slobber straps and end with about 6 inches of the rein freely through the furthest slobber strap.
Bit Hobble: What is a bit hobble
Bit hobbles are used at the bottom of the shanks and attach to the rein rings For one-handed riding, they help to stabilize longer shanks. They also help to protect the horse’s mouth while roping by preventing the rope from getting between the shanks and catching one side, forcing one shank up and out.
Can you tie a horse up by the reins?
Horse:
You’ve probably always heard that you shouldn’t tie a horse up with the bridle, and for good reason. If the horse pulled back, he could cut his tongue on the bit, break the bridle or hurt himself. However, if you use the
mecate reins
correctly, you can safely tie your horse using the reins and the bridle.
Word Mecate: Where does the word mecate come from
Etymology. Borrowed from Spanish mecate, from a Nahuan language ; c.f. Classical Nahuatl mecatl.
Can a bosal hurt a horse?
Bosal:
Starting a horse in a bosal can preserve the horse’s mouth, but it can also bang up the nose and scar the bars of the jaw Horses have to learn to bend and give to pressure before they can understand what is wanted of them when they are in a bosal.
Can you direct rein with a bosal?
Bosal:
The mecate is a single long rope that is tied to create a loop of rein at one side of the bosal and a lead line at the other. You’ll almost exclusively use a direct rein Hold your hands as wide as your hips and even with or slightly in front of the saddle horn.
Split Reins: Why do cowboys ride with split reins
Pros: Split reins allow you to make tiny adjustments to one rein or the other , direct your horse with one rein, apply a neck rein and/or a number of other cues using one or both hands with the option to hold the reins in several different positions.
Are split reins hard to use?
Reins:
Split reins can be great for trail riding, because you can easily ground-tie by laying the reins down on the ground. But some find them hard to use , and they can be easily dropped. You can hold split reins in a variety of ways.
Slobber Straps: How long are slobber straps
Total length – 11 1/4″ Width 1 1/4″ at widest point. Use With – Pair your Mecate reins with slobber straps from our store for a compatible fit and long use.
Sources
22 Ft Clinician Mecate Reins
https://www.amazon.com/Mecate-Reins/s?k=Mecate+Reins