How to Braid a Snap Onto a Lead Rope

Add a snap to your lead rope for attaching to horses' halters.

Lead ropes are made from cotton, nylon or leather strands and are attached to a horse's halter to give the owner control over the horse. An eye snap is attached to one end of the lead rope to hook the rope to the halter. By braiding the eye snap onto the rope, you can create a sturdy attachment that will last over time and withstand stubborn horses. Use the back-braiding method to add a snap to a 3-strand lead rope.

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3-strand lead rope
Electrical tape
Eye snap

Instructions

- 1
  
  Unbraid 9 inches of the end of a 3-strand lead rope where you want to attach the snap. Wrap electrical tape around the end of each strand of rope to keep it from fraying while you are working with it.
- 2
  
  Thread two of the unbraided strands through the eye portion of the snap. Thread the third strand through the eye of the snap from the opposite side as the first two so it crosses over them. Pull the strands tight.
- 3
  
  Select one of the first two strands threaded through the snap. Pull it towards the right, over the first braided strand in the portion of the rope below the snap. Thread it under the next braided strand and pull it through tightly.
- 4
  
  Select the next unbraided strand to the right of the first. Pull it to the right over the first braided strand and then thread it under the next braided strand. Pull it completely through and tug on it until it is tight. Repeat this process with the third and last unbraided strand.
- 5
  
  Continue to back-plait the unbraided strands in this same order. Braid the ropes towards the right by crossing them over the first braided strand and then threading them underneath the next braided strand. Pull each rope through completely and ensure that it is tight before moving on to the next.
- 6
  
  Work your way down the rope until the three strands are completely back-braided into the rope. Cut any uneven portions of the strands that may be sticking out so they are even with the surface of the rope. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the bottom portion of the back braid to secure it if it is loose enough that the strands may come out.