Why Mecate Reins are Essential for Trail Riders

The versatility of mecate reins makes them a must-have training tool for the serious trail rider.

Best feature? The built-in lead rope.
The best feature of a mecate is the lead rope that is built into the reins. If you are out trail riding and get into a situation where you need to jump off and do some training, the extra rope is an instant lunge line. You can use it to get the horse’s feet moving and get his attention focused on you without needing a separate halter and lead rope.

Give your horse an instant release of pressure.
The loop reins make it easier to “throw the reins away” when you want to instantly release pressure on the bit and reward the horse for yielding. Split reins have a tendency to slide off the horse’s neck and fall on the ground. The loop of the mecate ensures that if the reins are dropped, they will always be on the horse’s neck, where you can easily get to them.

A ready-to-use spanker.
The tail of the mecate is weighted to act as a spanker to encourage the horse’s feet to move when under saddle. This built-in spanker means you do not have to carry an additional training tool, such as a whip, when you ride. The spanker is just as useful on the ground while doing groundwork exercises to get the horse to take your cues seriously.

Easily adjustable.
The loop reins are adjustable and can easily be made longer or shorter, depending on your preference, and depending on the length of your horse’s neck.

Refine your cues.
The mecate reins work best with slobber straps. Slobber straps are thick leather pieces that connect the reins to the bit. The slobber straps act as a sort of hinge. When you pick up on the reins, the slobber straps warn the horse before pressure is applied. When you release pressure on the reins, the slobber straps instantly allow the reins to release all pressure on the horse’s mouth. When training, the faster the rein pressure releases, the faster the horse understands that he has done the right thing.

Learn more about mecate reins, including how to attach them to a bridle and how to safely tie your horse with them, on the Downunder Horsemanship website.