How to Tie Mecate Reins

Mecate reins should be chest-high when mounted.

Mecate reins are usually used with western, reining horses. The mecate style of reins dates back to before the Spanish/American War. It was developed by the Spanish cowboys known as vaqueros. Traditionally made out of horsehair, mecate reins are now often fashioned from nylon rope. They are used with a 3-inch, ring bit and leather fobs, 1-by-10 inches called slobber straps. The excess rope can be looped through the rider's belt so, if the rider is thrown from the saddle, the rope can be grabbed and the horse controlled from the ground. The long end of the mecate reins can also be used to lead another mount and to secure the horse when it is not being ridden.

Things You'll Need

• Bridle
• 2 slobber straps, I inch by 10 to 12 inches
• 3-inch ring bit

Instructions

Tieing Mecate Reins

1. 

   Nylon rope can be used

   Attach the rope to the far, or right, side slobber strap. Let the short end dangle for about 8 inches. Measure off about 8 feet and attach at that point to the left, or near, slobber strap. You can adjust the reins later so that, when mounted, the rein reaches about chest high and is long enough to fit over the horse's head when doubled.

2. 

   You can lead another horse using the long end.

   Check the length and adjust it. Fit the bridle over the horse's head. Hold the near, or left rein in your right hand and move your hand up allowing your hand to slide up the rein until it is about level with the horse's ears. Use your left hand to pull the excess length toward you so that it lays across the horse's neck with the slack falling to the horse's nose. Done correctly you should see an X in the reins where they cross along the horse's neck and form a loop from ears to nose. If you hold the top and bottom of the loop, it should be just about long enough to pass easily over the horse's head. When mounted, the center of the rein should reach about to your sternum when held in your right hand.

3. Tie the horse up with the mecate rein. Start by standing at the near, left, side of the horse. Take the left rein in your right hand and slide your hand up the rein until it reaches to the height of the horse's ears. Use your left hand to pull the slack towards you so that it lays across the horse's neck just behind the ears and forms a loop. With your hands at top and bottom of the loop it should form an X at about the level of the neck. Pass the loop over the horse's head, starting nose first then moving up and over the head. You will now have a double length of rein over the horse's head resting just behind its ears. Take the lead end of the rope and secure this double loop with a full hitch knot by passing over the top of the loop, bringing it in front of itself, passing it under itself then up through the loop and back down through. You can now tie up your horse using that extra length of rope without putting excess strain on either the horse or the bridle. The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center has a video on how to do this.

Tips & Warnings

• Slobber straps are well oiled leather fobs, 1 inch wide by 10 to 12 inches long. The holes in the base of the fob should be just big enough to pass the rope through. The original mecate rope was braided horsehair. Slobber straps were initiated to keep the rope from deteriorating because of the horses saliva. They are still used because they enhance the reining instructions that the horse receives.

• If you use the extra end to secure the horse while riding, you should be able to reach and release the rope, if necessary, to avoid being dragged through the brush.

References

• LSU AgCenter: Master Horseman Minute: Mercate Reins
• KBR Horse Training: Mecate Reins