Anyone using mecate reins?

[82ndshawn]

I was sitting here thinking about different tack and wondered how many folks are using a mecate setup? Seems like it would be handy for the backcountry by having a built in leadrope for use while riding. Obviously would still have to have a different setup for high lining, etc...

 

[fort fireman]

I use Mecate all the time. I love them in a rawhide hackamore or a snaffle set up. Super functional for me.


This is my wife’s girl on her first day of hackamore work. She has maybe 10 rides under her in a halter.

Here’s my mother in laws you g boy in a snaffle set up with a nylon mecate.


And here is my buddy in the two rein setup.

 

[fort fireman]

I prefer a horsehair mecate for the feel the give me but they are expensive and can be rough on the hands until they break in a bit. That is where the yacht line , nylon ropes come in. It is especially aggravating when you have a mouthy baby wanting to get a hold of your 100 dollar horse hair mecate.

 

[fort fireman]

Here’s my wife’s girl under saddle on her first day in the hackamore



She did awesome and super chill. She’s gonna be a good one.

 

[fort fireman]

All that being said I don’t do any any back country stuff other than some trail rides. I’ll help move cows for my neighbors check calves some and play around with ranch horse stuff.

 

[wymtnpounder]

I ride with them sometimes but for hunting I recommend a halter under your headstall or at least pack one to tie up with. To easy to hurt a horse or tear up you headstall. YMMV

 

[82ndshawn]

I ride with them sometimes but for hunting I recommend a halter under your headstall or at least pack one to tie up with. To easy to hurt a horse or tear up you headstall. YMMV

Sure, tying up you would have to take a halter. I was just thinking it would be mighty handy for quick stops, etc

 

[Ralphie]

I’ve used them for colts, but in the hills I ride with a halter under the bridle.

 

[wymtnpounder]

Sometimes I don't use reins at all

 

[Mt Morgans]

I use a bosal hackamore exclusively on my horses. I always have a halter on underneath. I find it just as quick to slip my leather thong holding the lead off the saddle horn and tie witht the halter lead alyways so I dont come back to broken gear, or not haveing a horse where I left him. For the Mecate, for hunting I use the flat tube braided sailing rope as shown in the second picture.

 

[fort fireman]

Just for anyone worried about tying their horse be a mecate rein setup. I've done something similar to it occasionally but not for any real long time . I like this way better it seems easier than how I've done it before.

 

[deserthunter2016]

Does anyone use a cavalry style headstall?

 

[Pony Soldier]

I started with rommel reins but spent 30 years trying to find another pair. Found a handmade set at the Mt State prison store for $150.

I too use a halter under the bridle and my own homemade lead ropes. I want my ponies where I leave them when I get back. I outfit all my reins with brass snaps so I can easily disconnect them when I leave so they can't tear things up.

 

[CFMT]

I will preface this by saying I don’t think there is a “wrong” way, but in the back country, in lots of snag areas and sketchy trails, there’s lots of scenarios where you can rip a snaffle through a horses mouth or stumble and catch a leg through a McCarty. You can just as easily lead with a set of split reins and have the ability to drop them loose if you get in a bind.

 

[burrohiker]

Split reins 99% of the time. But 1% of the time I want to feel cool, so its a hackamore. And I do feel cool.

 

[6.5Express]

I prefer a rope type rein in a roper or mecate style setup over split reins as i tend to lead my animals a lot downhill or on a ridge line and have had split reins fall off get stepped on and broke too many times. Typically for me, the hackamore is more of a training tool as opposed to a handy way to get off and lead in the mountains and i wouldn't ever tie an animal by it. Rope halters and lead ropes without any snaps for me.

 

[3325]

Split reins 99% of the time. But 1% of the time I want to feel cool, so its a hackamore. And I do feel cool.

Feeling cool is important. I've heard you will feel even cooler if your wear chinks, a flat hat, and ride a saddle with a Wade tree and buck rolls.

That's what I've heard.