How to Make Mecate Reins From Marine Rope

Mecate reins are long reins traditionally made from plaited horse hair. One section of the length is used as closed reins, and the remainder is looped up out of the way around the saddle horn or rider's waist. When dismounted, the rider can use the spare end of rope as a lead rein. The mecate reins have a leather "popper" on one end, a slim leather strap that the rider can manipulate to make a noise. This encourages the horse or gets its attention. The other end of the rope is finished with a tassel, which gives the rope end some weight and was traditionally used as a fly swat. The reins attach to the bridle via leather "slobber" straps. These provide some distance between the horse's mouth and the rein, to protect the reins from being chewed or drenched when the horse drinks.

Things You'll Need

  • 22-foot length of marine rope
  • 2 slobber straps
  • Bridle with snaffle bit
  • Knife
  • Tape measure
  • Tape
  • Leather strap measuring 10 inches by 1/2 inch, tapered at both ends
  • Hole punch
  • Leather saddle lace
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie a knot in one end of the rope, and use the point of a knife to unravel the strands of the rope to make a tassel.

    • 2

      Take the other end of the rope and measure 6 inches in from the end. Mark with a piece of tape. Measure another four inches in, and mark with tape again. Bend the rope around to line up the two pieces of tape and form a loop with a tail. On the short end of the rope, carefully unpick the strands of the tail. On the main body of the rope, loosen the top strand of rope and push one of the tail strands under it. Weave the second tail strand under the second strand. Then turn the whole thing over. Push the third strand under the bottom of the rope. Continue weaving in this way until the loop is firmly spliced into place.

    • 3

      Punch a hole in the middle of the leather strap. Bend the leather lace in half and push the loop through the hole. Push the two ends of the lace through the loop so the lace is firmly looped around the strap. Use the lace to tie the popper strap through the loop of rope that you have just spliced.

    • 4

      Tie the mecate reins onto the slobber straps. This is most easily done when the bridle is on the horse. Put the slobber strap through the right hand bit ring, and fold it in half so the holes line up. Put the popper end of the rein through both holes, and pull it all the way through to the tassel end. Stop where there is about a foot of rope hanging below the slobber strap.

    • 5

      Pick up the tassel, and pass it under the inside of slobber strap, then around and over the top to form a loop. Drop the tassel through this loop and pull the knot tight. Thread the second slobber strap through the left-hand bit ring, and thread the popper end of the rein through the holes from inside to outside. Pull the reins through, leaving the quantity of rein that you want (usually 8-10 feet) in a loop over the horse's neck. Pass the popper under and inside the strap then over, to make another half hitch. Pull the knot tight. Adjust the length of the rein as necessary by loosening and retying the knots.