In this piece, I’ll be discussing the subject of “What Do Slobber Straps Do?”, and I’ll do my best to cover as much ground as I possibly can in terms of content.
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.
Can you use slobber straps on a
curb bit
?
Slobber straps can be used to adapt these reins for use on a bridle with a bit rather than the hackamore, or bitless bridle, that they have traditionally been used with.
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.
How long should
mecate reins
be?
Reins:
Most mecate reins measure about 20 to 25 feet long. About 8 to 10 feet are used to create the reins with the bosal. The remaining 10 to 15 feet are used as the
lead rope
. Because the reins are a single, long rope, it enables riders to customize the fit to their horse and their training purposes.
Do you need a curb strap with a
snaffle bit
?
Skip the curb strap. These aren’t curb bits, so they don’t require a curb strap , and certainly not a curb chain. The only reason to use a curb strap on a snaffle is if you tend to pull one of the snaffle’s rings through your horse’s mouth.
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.
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.
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.
Water Loop Reins: What are water loop reins
Rein ends, also known as water loops, are short pieces of leather used to attach your reins to your bit with tie strings A rein end http://bit.ly/2SbHes7 is attached to one side of each rein, looped through the bit ring and tied back to the opposite side of the rein says Dennis Moreland of Dennis Moreland Tack.
What are the straps for on a horse?
Straps:
Breastplate: Also known as a breast collar or breast strap, a breastplate keeps the saddle from sliding back on a horse The straps connect over the sternum, and then go down through the forelegs and connect to the cinch.
Mecate Reins: Can I use mecate reins with a curb bit
Mecate reins are typically attached to a snaffle type bit with slobber straps or tied directly to a bosal. This type of rein does not work well with a curb or shanked bit A traditional mecate rein looks like a rope rein but has extra rope coming off the left side.
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.
Hackamores Better: Are Hackamores better than bits
Hackamores can be a
great option
for horses with
physical issues
in their mouth, such as tongue damage or a fractured jaw, which means they are not accepting of a bit Behavioural problems like head shaking, excessive salivation and rearing may also be improved by using a hackamore.
Can you neck rein with a snaffle?
Snaffle:
With a snaffle, you can apply lateral (side) and vertical pressure without causing your gelding any pain or discomfort Some people do switch to a shanked bit once their horses are trained to neck rein, but I’ve found a smooth snaffle bit can offer great control for the horse’s entire life.
Gentle Bit: What is the most gentle bit for a horse
One of the most common types of snaffle bit is the eggbutt , which is considered to be the gentlest type of snaffle bit because it doesn’t pinch the corners of the horse’s mouth. It has an egg-shaped connection between the mouthpiece and the bit-ring.
Chin Strap: Does a snaffle need a chin strap
On a snaffle, a chin strap will be very effective in keeping the bit from pulling all the way through the horse’s mouth when using one rein. It need not be adjusted tight and is normally placed between the reins and bit. The one exception to the need for a chin strap is with the full cheek snaffle.
Bosals Good: Are Bosals good for horses
Bosals don’t have good “brakes” and a bosal in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use one, or on the head of a horse that isn’t used to one, can give the green light to a horse with a tendency to run off. Bosals are sometimes used on young pleasure horses being shown in the ring.
Why ride a horse in a bosal?
Bosal:
The Purpose. The entire purpose of the bosal is to get the horse to work on light touch and promote flexibility in the horse’s neck For example, instead of ‘direct reining’ the rider would lay the mecate across the horse’s neck in the direction they’d like to go.
What is the difference between bosal and 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.
Bosal Fit: How should a bosal fit on a horse
Measure from the inside of the nose button to the top of the heel knot. A 10 inch will fit most small horses and ponies. 11 inches is for the average horse, and 12 inches will fit most larger-headed horses. Shape the bosal to your horse.
References
https://buckarooleather.com/blogs/buckaroo-johns-blog/slobber-straps-and-water-loops
https://www.amazon.com/slobber-straps/s?k=slobber+straps