Can you safely lunging Bridled Horses?

Sylvia wrote to ask about "Is it proper to lunge a bridled horse? Or should you only a horse who has a halter or nothing on all on it's head?"

This is the response I sent her: Not to be smart aleck, but I don't where to find the rules on lunging a horse with head gear or not. Safety would be my first concern and it kinda depends what I'm lunging for, whether or not I'm free lunging or using a rope, what the experience of the horse is, and, whether or I am lunging in a round pen or not.

I am in the practice of usually free lunging any of my horses in a round pen before I ride him. I do this for several reasons: 1 - I believe it's good for the horse to warm up; 2 - I can see where his mind is and if he has any injuries or lameness; and 3 - because I'm in my sixties, and while you can't lunge the buck out of a horse, you can get the fresh off of him.

I pretty much exclusively use mecate reins, so I take the lead rope portion of the Mecate reins and put a clove hitch in it over the saddle horn before I free lunge the horse (see photo above). However, every once in a while the horse is pretty fresh and tossing his head while trotting or loping, the reins will flip over to one side of his head. You can actually look close and see the photo of the photo top right with the reins flipped over as the horse is trotting around the round pen. Usually not a problem, but every once in a while he or any horse can or will get it into the mind to race around, or be driven by some outside stimulus, like a county school bus going by and laying on the horn (true story), and I don't like having the reins messed up while he does so.

So in the past few years I have taken to tying a leather string around the reins and lead underneath his neck to keep them in place. (see photo above). I always carry an extra leather sting in a girth hitch on my rear saddle D ring as I had have use for that to make a repair on my or other rider's bridles or whatever needed fixing (see photo below).

Since I use Mecate's I automatically have a lead rope that can use to lunge the horse with as well. In the beginning when I am lunging a horse with a snaffle bit and mecate reins, I usually tie up the reins in the traditional manner so there is less room for the snaffle bit to go banging around the horse's mouth. As the horse's gains a understand it becomes more of a deal of putting a feel in a loose reins to send him, stop him or turn him, then I don't tie up the mecate reins, just twist loop the rein portion of the mecate over the horn while I lunge with the lead portion.

It would likely be the safest deal for the horse if you are free lunging him with headgear that the reins or lead rope are secured so it won't come loose and start dragging on the ground, not be loose enough so he can't step through it or step on it. I would not free lunge a horse with headgear unless you could stop him and draw him him to you in case there is a problem with the like this.

Snaffles - Not just a starting point

First off, I spent several years chasing bits, trying to find the right bit that would bring about the change I was looking for in my horses. Until I was humbled enough to realize that the change had to come from me and not a piece of metal. I have apologized to my horses for my past approaches, much like I apologized to my daughter for taking her into town for one of those nasty McDonalds Happy Meal once a week when she was growing up. It's amazing that as we get older some things get clearer. It's just too bad that some people, and I'm in that group, won't live long enough and learn enough to make right decisions the first time, but sometimes, maybe everytime, on how learning takes place.

When riding a living, breathing animal four to six times our size and who can instantly move too quickly for us, or dump us on the ground, it is human nature to try and gain control and that most often leads us to more and more severe bits and headgear. But, it really is logical that in our and the horses development in the progression of training you would think we should tend to get softer, not only in our approach and how we use our hands (and legs) but in the bits/head gear we make our horses wear. Put in another way, as we and our horses get better we should be able to get by with less effort and harshness.

In the clinics I see all sorts of bits and headgear. Gag bits, mechanical hackamores, shanked bits connected to nose bands and tie downs. I've seen mechanical hackamores with really soft nose bands but with curb chains are pretty tight before the shanks are activated. And in the annual Arena Challenges I run, such as in this year's event, out of 27 competitors and horses, there were only two ridden in bosals and only two ridden in snaffles. To be sure, some competitors rode really soft in other bits, one rider in particular with a spade bit and several in leverage bits (having shanks). I was pleased to see more riders this year riding in a soft manner, with quiet hands and good communication with thier respective horses, however I had hoped to see less of the contraptions that try to control a horse through pain and not signal.

Over the years I am now in a place where I haven't used anything other than snaffle bits or bosals on my horses. On all my snaffle bit bridles I use slobber straps and have graviated to the longer slobber straps as I think they give a clearer pre-signal and quicker release. The two snaffles I use the most are the ones shown in the photo above. One regular snaffle with copper bars that really get the horse salivating and the other with a copper roller in the center.

The past week I had a gent come over wanting to see how I suggest he progress with a two year old colt he was going to pick up soon. The colt should have a dozen rides on him before this guy brings him home. This gent is no novice but it had been a long time since he has ridden green broke horses. I pulled one of my horses and rode him a snaffle showing him what things I would work on. Towards the end of the demo he asked at what point would I go to a shanked bit. He just thought that going to a leverage bit is the natural progression. While many of the best horseman (and women) in the country progress from a snaffle, to a hackamore (bosal) then to the two rein - riding with a bosal and a spade bit each with it's own reins, then eventually just in the spade bit, but there are many of us as well who can't get along well enough with our horses riding in a snaffle and being able to ride one handed, neck reining, controlling the front and back ends independantly from each other and getting horizontal and vertical softness....hence the draw of a leverage bit.

With the bosals and snaffle bit bridles, I can't remember using anything other than mecates as reins in the past 10-12 years. I think if more riders would give a snaffle bit a chance, riding several times a week on a particular horse, they'll come to find that they can not only get on just fine on a snaffle but actually see a better response in their horse. And the mecate reins, while seemingly may be complicated at first, is really a great tool. The photo above shows the snaffle bits with slobber straps and mecate reins. Maybe this will spark alitle interest in the snaffle bit as opposed to leverage bits. Safe riding everyone an Happy Thanksgiving.

Mecate Safety - Being Safe Using Mecate Reins

I see more and more riders using Mecates in both competitive and pleasure trail rides as well as ranch sorting. That means they are using a bosal or a snaffle bit which I think is more benign on the horse, especially for fast paced competition.  Sure you can cut a tongue on a snaffle, but you can't get the leverage that you can on a bit with shanks.

For the most part, you can get away with tying the lead rope end of the mecate around your saddle horn or coil up the lead rope and tie it to the saddle using the saddle strings, however when you are in the sorting pen and using roping cattle like Corriente cattle with horns, I think there are some prudent safety considerations to what you do with the lead rope end of the mecate.

The traditional method for carrying the lead rope of the mecate is to make a bite in the rope and tuck it underneath your pants belt or the belt on your chinks or chaps. So if you get thrown from your horse, you have a chance to grab the lead and retain control of your horse, or if you can't grab that end of the mecate, it will pull out from the belt and keep you from being drug as the horse runs away.

The end of the mecate, making a lead rope, is real handy when you dismount as you have a lead to control your horse. On competitive trail rides, points are sometimes given to riders who also carry a halter and lead, usually bridling the horse over a halter and carrying the lead. With a mecate you don't need the halter or lead as you already have something you can lead the horse with while on the ground.

During Ranch Sorting and Team Penning events, I have seen riders configure the lead rope end of their mecate so there is no quick release and if a Corriente gets a horn through the lead, it could a wreck. I've been at the gate during sorting and have disrespectful cows push through a small gap between the panel and my horse and it wouldn't take much for a horn, or a head for that matter, to snag the hanging mecate. The only good news is that it would be exciting.

A common ways to make it less than safe when using a mecate, is to dally the lead end of the mecate several times around your saddle horn. Some people may even clove hitch it around the horn. See the photo below:

Another way is to carry the lead end of the mecate is tucked underneath your belt in the traditional manner, however then flip the mecate lead over the saddle horn to keep it out of the way. This appears to be safe as you still have the quick release under your belt, but horn wrap (especially rubber) will put friction on the rope if a cow gets their horn or head underneath the rope and it won't provide slack fast enough not to cause a wreck. If you do ride this way, you need to remember to move the lead end of the mecate off the horn before dismounting.  I often ride with the mecate looped over the saddle horn to keep it out of the way and I'm embarrassed to say I've dismounted more than few times without flipping the mecate off the horn.  But I won't get in a pen with cattle with the mecate lead end running over the horn.  See photo below.

One more way to riders to carry or secure the lead end of the mecate is to coil it and tie it to the saddle using the front saddle strings - see picture at left.  This has the same safety problems as looping it over the saddle horn or tying it to the saddle horn.  When I work a horse from the ground I'll often tie up the lead end of the mecate this way, and sometimes after ground work, I'll leave the lead end tied up if I ride, I but won't enter a pen with cattle or otherwise work cows this way.  

So really the traditional method for carrying the lead rope of the mecate, making a bite in the rope and tuck it underneath your pants belt or the belt on your chinks or chaps, is pretty much the safest method for most riding with a mecate, just be sure the loop or bite in the rope is small enough so the end of the mecate can't accidentally find it's way into the loop and create a knot. Things won't go good if you come off the horse with that lead knotted to your belt to say the least.

Bosals and Hackamores, What's the Difference?

I have received two e-mails with these comments: #1: "I don't like a Bosal. I think they are too harsh on a horse. I prefer a Hackamore." #2: "What is the purpose for the rope underneath the horse's head for your Hackamore?"

I'm not sure how to answer the first question, other than it shows the sometimes confusion over a Hackamore and the Bosal.    What is pretty clear is about anything you place in a horse's mouth or over a horse's nose can be harsh and cause pain if you are too hard and fast with your hands operating the reins. Granted, there is a lot confusion concerning terminology on bosals and hackamores, but when I use the term Bosal, I mean the nose band by itself. I use the term Hackamore when the Bosal is connected to a headstall and reins.  In the picture above right, I have the headstall connected over the side button of the bosal as opposed to between the side buttons and the nose band. I like it this way so the headstall is not so close to the horse's eye.

Traditionalists and really good horsemen (I am neither) will use a Bosal with just a hanger rather than a headstall. A hanger is really a leather strap that goes over the horse's poll and sometimes a thin leather string will be tied from the Bosal to the horse's forelock to help keep the Bosal in place.

I use a regular browband headstall with a fiador (see the picture at right). The "rope under the horse's head" is the fiador which keeps the horse from shaking the headstall off his head and keeps the horse from shedding the headstall when you are on the ground leading with the rein portion of the mecate reins. The fiador needs to be pretty snug behind the jaw.  In the picture I am taking up slack in the left rein causing the slack in the fiador.  When pressure on the reins is released, the Bosal will drop back into place.    

The Mecate rein, also called McCarthy reins, are a one piece rein, usually 20-22 feet long, connected to the Bosal by tying it into the Bosal above the heel knot and using the excess as a lead line when leading the horse in hand. When riding, this lead line can be coiled and tied to the saddle using the saddle strings (see photo at left), tied to the saddle horn, or is fed up through the rider's belt so it can be fed out easily when pulled from the Bosal end - this way if you come off the horse accidentally, you won't be drug if the horse takes off on you.

The part of the Bosal over the horse's nose is called the nose button and there are difference thickness. Given the same quality of braiding on the nose button, bigger diameter nose buttons will spread out and therefore lighten the pressure on the nose more so than a thinner bosal. As a horse becomes more finished in the Hackamore, a lighter and thinner Bosal would normally be used.

A direct rein is normally used when riding a horse in a Hackamore, especially in the beginning as the mecate reins connect at the bottom of the bosal, just above the heel knot and direction can be unclear or confusing to a horse in the beginning. Neck reining can be introduced as the horse becomes good in the hackamore and be built upon.

Certainly an improperly positioned hackamore, too low on the nose and over the soft tissue and cartilage can hurt a horse, and being too harsh with your hands can be painful as well, but there is no reason to think a bosal is in and of itself a harsh tool. In fact, I think a horse that is normally bitted can benefit from also be ridden in a bosal if for nothing more than a break on his mouth.

Does Mecate Reins Affecting Balance of the Bit?

I received this question on the balance of a bit when using Mecate reins: "(I was) wondering about balance in the bit with one side having two weights of reins vs. the other with just a rein. Do you add a heavier knot/slobber strap on the side that doesn't have the get down rope?"

I'm sure there is a difference in weight coming off the bit ring or shank when using mecate reins, however I think it is pretty minimal and I don't think the balance is effected enough, as you will be using slobber straps so the weight of the slobber strap with the attached rein will be hanging off the bit ring or shank.

You asked if you can add a knot on the the off side to balance any weight difference. I don't see why not a knot (sorry couldn't resist that pun) but it is also common to see a shoo fly braided into the end of the mecate reins on the off side. On the picture of one of my horses with a snaffle bit, slober straps and a mectate eins, you see I have a little bit extra rope on the off side.
This wasn't done to balance the weight on the bit, it was for adjusting the entire mecate, from what I use for a continous rein and what length I like for the lead rope

As you use the mecate reins, the lead rope (or the get down rope portion) of the mecate rein will be suspended but secured at the free end, either to your saddle horn, through your belt, or coiled and tied to saddle strings. The lead rope (get down rope) should be loose (not taunt) so it should not be pulling on the bit.

The rider is going to handling the mecate reins therefore some of the weight on the reins is going to be taken up with this contact. Some of the weight of the bit is going to taken up by the horse's tongue as well. Again, I don't think balance this much of an issue. I cannot remember riding a horse in a mecate where the horse was verring to the left when loping on a loose rein.

Some people just don't like to use a mecate because of the additional rope (lead line portion) that they have to keep track of. An option here would be to ride with a small halter under the bridle with the halter lead line coiled and tied to the saddle strings. You could also use a get down rope that is tied fairly loosely around the horse's neck with the lead again coiled and tied to the saddle strings. Of course, this will negate one of the features of a mecate's lead tucked into your belt where if you come off the horse unexpectedly you would have a line to your horse to keep him from running off if he had a mind to. Just be sure to "S" roll your mecate lead or get down rope and tuck it into your belt so if you do come off your horse the rope will come out of your belt so you won't get drug if you can't get ahold of it quick enough.

Hopes this help. Safe Journey to you.

Managing Mecate Reins

I received many e-mails about riding with Mecate's. I'm chalking that up to the new found popularity of trail riding and the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA). There is no mystery to Mecate's, they are simply one piece or continuous reins which some know as roping reins, although they have a built in lead or get down rope.  It is more common now to see Mecate's made from rope, such as yacht braid, as opposed to the traditional horse hair.

When asked me how to hold the reins I am not trying to be a smart aleck when I reply "pretty much the same as you would any one piece reins." At this stage of my life I believe that making things simple is usually the best way to do most things. And if thats makes me a simpleton, then so be it.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my wife refers to me as "the simpleton" who resides in her house.

Anyway, I shot a couple of short videos to demonstrate how I hold and manage Mecate reins which I make out of 7/16ths inch or 1/2 inch dimater yacht braid or rapelling rope. I tend to use about a seven and one half foot long reins, counting the slobber straps.  I hold the reins together in one hand, with about a 14 to 18 inch loop of excess reins, and my hand generally down, knuckles up and palm pointing towards the horn of the saddle. This is what is comfortable and works for me.

I think a common mistake is to have the reins too long where your hand or hands have too much reins to manage and you could run out of room trying to make contact through the bit. In the video below, I'm riding Roy, my old team roping horse, who I like to talk about because he's such a good horse. Twenty eight years old now and having overcome a broken broken coffin bone on a back foot, he's pretty much been a children's and novice horse for the past 8 years. So now I ride him gently and ask little of him.

Mecate with a Snaffle Bit

Denise asked I'm interested in riding with a mecate reins on a snaffle and am unsure how to do so. I like the idea of having a integral lead rope.”

Denise, thanks for your question. I’ll answer it mostly with pictures and a short video. This question has cropped up several times in the past few weeks. I attribute it to more people interested in trail riding and the popularity of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA). The Mecate, also called McCarthy reins due to the Anglo pronunciation of the Spanish word, is one continuous rein, usually 20-24 feet long, made from either yacht line (braided rope) or a horse hair rope. When used with a Bosal, the Mecate reins are connected to the Bosal just above the Heel knot. Sometimes a Bosal and Mecate will be one piece where the Mecate is braided into the Bosal.

When a Mecate is used with a snaffle bit, it is common to use slobber straps to connect the reins to the ring of the snaffle. The slobber straps are pieces of leather that connect the reins to the bit. Like the picture to the left showing the off side slobber strap and how I secured the end of the Mecate to it. If you tie your Mecate to the slobber straps in this manner make sure you leave enough tail of the rope and point it downward.

A friend of ours, Arden, was looking for a Mecate so I took a 21 foot length of half inch braided rope, braided a leather popper in one end and wrapped some waxed flat thread around the rope where the center of the reins would be for a eight foot continuous rein.

The running end of the Mecate is looped through the near side slobber strap then you half hitch the Mecate so that the remaining length, in this case about 11 feet, runs downward. The near side is where you would adjust the length of the reins to suit yourself. The remaining 11 feet is now a get down rope. To keep it out of the way until you need it, you can clove hitch it to the horn, which is not my preferred way,....you can coil it and tie it to the near side saddle strings. Or, a traditional method it to get a bit near the end of the rope and tuck it under your belt. That is the bit of the remaining Mecate is pushed underneath your belt from bottom to top. If you came off your horse (it happens) you would have a rope to keep your horse from running away. If the horse ran away before you could get ahold of the rope, it would feed out from under your belt keeping you from being drug.

Anyway, Denise, I hope this video and post helps you rig and be safe with your Mecate.

Tying Mecate Reins to Slobber Straps

Responding to a reader question on You Tube about how to tie Mecate Reins to Slobber Straps,.... Proudtobeafarmgirl made a comment on the Lariat is More for Just Roping post,....."great video, no static and not much wind. Thank you for showing how to make a halter from the lariat, handy thing to know. Can you or do you have a video on how to tie the macate reins on to a snaffle with slobber straps?" OK Proudtobeafarmgirl, I offer this post.

Mecate Reins are one piece reins traditionally made out of hair so that it is prickly to the horse neck which adds in cueing a horse for neck reining. Nowdays yacht or rappelling rope mecate's are as common as hair mecates.

Mecates, sometimes called McCarthy reins which is the bastardized english version of the Spanish term, are normally tied to bits using leather connector pieces, called slobber straps, that are designed to keep the expensive hair mecate's away from the horses mouth not only to protect against the horses chewing on them or his slobber from getting on the reins, as the name implies, but to keep the prickly hair mecate from bothering the horse's sensitive mouth and lips.

In the video, I explain how I have my mecates tied, using knots on both outsides of the slobber straps as I think this balances the bit better, but I have included a picture below to show the traditional method of tying the near side or left side mecate to the slobber strap.

Generally you would create an 8 foot one piece rein with the mecate and have about a 12-14 foot length for a "get down" rope to lead from the ground with. This piece is traditionally "S" rolled and tucked into the belt from the bottom up so it will pull out easily if the rider gets tossed. It can also be coiled and tied to a saddle string.



The photo below shows the traditional method of looping the mecate through the near side slobber strap and brining the mecate back through underneath itself to lock it down. Either way, the method showed in the video or the picture below will work just fine.