In this piece, I’ll be discussing the subject of “What Is The Purpose Of Mecate Reins?”, and I’ll do my best to cover as much ground as I possibly can in terms of content.
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.
How long should
mecate reins
be?
Reins:
The mecate (/məˈkɑːtiː/ or less anglicized /məˈkɑːteɪ/; Spanish pronunciation: [meˈkate]) is the rein system of the
bosal style hackamore
used to train young horses. It is a
long rope
, traditionally of horsehair, approximately 20–25 feet long and up to about 3/4 inch in diameter.
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.
Horse Hair Rope: What is a horse hair rope
Horsehair rope, commonly called mecate, is lightweight and strong, making it ideal for reins, a traditional hackamore or a lead or tie rope It is not heavy enough for a lasso. It is traditionally made through twisting loose hair together, much like wool is made into yarn.
Mecate Reins: What are mecate reins made of
The traditional mecate used by the California Vaqueros was made from the long hair of a horse’s tail and was hand braided. Modern mecates are made with horse hair and synthetic rope with a horse hair tassel at one end and a
leather popper
at the other end.
Straps Good: What are slobber straps good for
Slobber straps are pieces of leather that you put on your bit and attach the reins through. They are helpful as a tool to give your horse a release of pressure They also help to aid some weight to your reins. If your reins are lightweight, it can cause a delayed response from your horse when you pick up on them.
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.
Bosal Bridle: What is a bosal bridle
A bosal bridle is a
bitless bridle
used for green and sensitive horses The bosal bridle works by putting pressure on the horse’s nose using a mecate that attaches under the horse’s chin. They often used to train horses how to neck rein.
Is Bitless riding better?
Bitless:
The Bitless Bridle provides
better steering
than a bit or natural hackamore/
rope halter
, and more reliable brakes than a bit or sidepull Freedom from pain results in calmness and obedience. A Bitless Bridle is also wonderful for starting young horses under saddle.
Why use a hackamore on a horse?
Hackamore:
A hackamore is like a halter in that it puts more direct pressure on the horse’s face (nose, side of the face, or chin) and creates a direct response For example, when you pull straight back, the pressure is on the nose, and the horse should step back away from it.
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.
How do you make roping reins?
Reins:
You can make your own reins from a length of rope simply by securing an eye snap to each end and then attaching the snaps to the bridle Making your own reins allows you to customize the details such as length, color and type of rope used. Cut a 1/2-inch cotton or nylon rope to 8 feet and 8 inches long.
References
https://buckarooleather.com/blogs/buckaroo-johns-blog/the-mecate-rein
https://www.actionridertack.com/Barefoot-Mecate-Reins-Real-Hair-p/mecate-hh-02-00.htm
~Get Downs~Mecates~Slobber Straps~