How to Make a Nylon Rope Mecate

Macate reins are reins used in Western-style horseback riding. Mecate reins are usually made from braided horse hair but can also be made from nylon marine rope. These reins are usually about 20 feet long, 8 to 10 feet being the reins and 10 to 12 feet being a leap rope that can be tied off at the saddle horn or used as a popper during riding. There is a mota on one end and a popper on the other end of the Macate reins. The mota is the end that ties off at the bit or base of the bosal, a bitless bridle, and usually includes a tassel of some sort. The popper is made from leather that is spliced into the rope and used to pop the horse to gain speed or for training while riding.

Things You'll Need

  • 20 feet of nylon marine rope
  • 2 leather slobber straps
  • 1 10-inch piece of leather, tapered on each end
  • Scissors
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Instructions

  1. Making the Mecate reins.

    • 1

      Cut the rope to the desired length of 20 feet or have it pre-cut to length when it is purchased. If the ends of the ropes have been burned to prevent fraying, the burnt ends should be cut off to allow fraying.

    • 2

      Unravel about 6 inches of the end of the rope on one end and tie it off in a knot to create a tassel. You can also splice a loop into the end of the rope and attach a horsehair tassel.

    • 3

      Splice a loop in the opposite end of the rope from the tassel. Attach or splice a piece of 10-inch, folded-over leather to the end of the spliced loop. The size of the leather can vary depending on the size of the popper that you desire. This creates a 5-inch popper at the end of the Macate. The Macate reins are now complete.

    Tying the Mecate Reins to the Bridle.

    • 4

      Attach slobber straps to the bit of the bridle. Slobber straps are made of leather and attached to the bit and protect the Mecate as well as allow for quick release of pressure when riding.

    • 5

      Bring the mota end of the Mecate through the right slobber strap that is attached to the bit from the outside to the inside. Pull the mota about 1 foot through the strap to allow slack for the half hitch.

    • 6

      Bring the mota under the slobber strap and over the top of it creating a loop to put the mota back through creating the half hitch. Pull the slack and snug it down. The mota keeps the rein from pulling through and acts as a shoo fly while riding. The right side is done.

    • 7

      Measure out about 8 to 10 feet of rope to allow for the length of reins that you want. Attach the slobber strap to the left side of the bit.

    • 8

      Thread the popper end from the inside out through the slobber strap again leaving the desired length for the reins. Bring the popper under the slobber strap and over the top, creating a loop to bring the popper back through creating the half hitch on the left side. Pull the slack and snug it down to prevent it form slipping. The left side is done.