I have had two lead ropes break in the past few months. One died a traumatic death when Connor was spooked by gunfire or cannons or artillery fire or something when my trainer was bringing him in for dinner. I don't know the whole story, but I found it in pieces in the field, so yeah, it's dead.
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| Definitely have no idea what you're talking about, lady |
And then recently my backup lead rope, the thumb piece broke off somehow. And that's the second lead rope that's happened to me on! Clearly, I'm buying inferior lead ropes. Anyway, I'm tired of having to wedge my fingernail into the clip to get it off my halter, so it's time to go shopping.
Here are my only demands:
- It needs to tie tightly and well
- No slick lead ropes
- No flat leather lead ropes (I already own one)
- The longer the better, but not ridiculously long
- I really want this one to last because buying lead ropes is just a boring way to spend a dollar, so if you've had one that's lasted forever, I want to know about it.
- No chain
- No bull snaps, unless it has the tab on the side that makes it easy to get them on and off with gloves on
So tell me - what's your favorite and why?
I like the Blocker Lead Line Rope 10' that I bought from Riding Warehouse back in 2016. It's long, not slick, pretty hardy, doesn't snag easily, not super bulky by the clip, and reasonably affordable. In my search to find the one I bought I saw several $50 lead ropes...they are longer, training, ropes but STILL!!! omg, NO.
ReplyDelete$50 lead ropes OMG no way!!!
DeleteAnother vote for the Blocker lead rope! I love mine, I've had one for upwards of 5 years and it's survived several pull-backs when tied and the halter broke, but the lead rope didn't. I now have 2, one for each horse and they're my favorite.
DeleteI just reviewed a lead rope today to not buy lol so uhhhh I dunno don't buy that one
ReplyDeleteNoted, don't take L's advice, haha. Honestly your post reminded me about my broken lead rope, so thanks for the inspiration.
DeleteI love these cotton lead ropes because I hate poly ropes! They are slippery, overtighten, and feel gross in the hands.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.jefferspet.com/products/cotton-lead-w-sb-bolt-snap-color-white
They seem to last longer than the twisted cotton ones that come unravelled.
DeleteThat's a contender for sure, thanks for sharing that!
DeleteI always used the Weaver twisted cotton lead ropes. I never had a problem with them breaking before my horse did something drastic to break them -- but it was Murray, so take that for what it's worth. One frayed from being tied to baling twine during an emotionally fraught bath time, and several others have snapped (appropriately) at the trailer or during whatever stupid shenanigans my horse was pulling. They tie tight, they hold well, and they break when they need to. I've never had a hardware problem with one either, and I cut the snaps off my broken/useless leadropes to keep for other purposes. They aren't so expensive that I feel stupid buying more of them.
ReplyDeleteOk that's a good point, they DO need to break under certain circumstances. That sounds like a good option, thanks!
DeleteAnother vote for Weaver cotton! The 10' length is perfect and they're a good diameter. I hate leads that are too skinny.
DeleteThis. Plus mine have actually held up to my stupid equines for years and years.
DeleteYup, I basically buy one of these every time I'm at a tack store just so I have backups everywhere. They're straightforward and the right size, length, and strength.
DeleteI neverrrrrrrr buy nylon because if a horse really goes fast it leads to really horrific friction burns. (I mean, anything CAN but nylon will do it faster and worse.)
I LOVE my 8ft. Nylon Custom Style Braided Lead (https://www.doversaddlery.com/triple-e-custom-8-braid-lead/p/X1-05102/ sells at Dover, but I got mine at a local tack shop). Nice feel in hand, not too slick, sturdy snap, perfect length: Has survived several seasons outdoors with the colour just starting to fade a bit, doesn't pill up or stretch out. I always tie with a quick release knot and to a bit of looped bailing twine (just in case ;)
ReplyDeletePS> don't buy it at Dover unless you really want the custom colours: you can find it cheaper other places (like here:http://www.luckypony.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=45)
Delete3/4 of my horses are rocking $5 lead ropes from TSC 🤣🤣 and Ruby's is also from TSC I just paid more for black (as opposed to babydoll pink or purple). I have no idea what brand they are but they have a nice heavy snap (I lost several lead ropes with cheap hardware to dramatic Spanish mares being... Dramatic). They're normally one of those things I try to buy in person, so no brand recs from me... Unless you want to try the Kensington ones and let me know how those are, because I want the ones that match my black ice stuff 😉
ReplyDeleteI know, leadropes are always such an afterthought for me! The Kensington ones are pretty but they look like the slick kind - no bueno.
DeleteI have a couple of these. A really good price for a nice lead rope with your horse's name embroidered. They are nylon though. https://www.myrope.com/collections/horses
ReplyDeleteI have this one https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=weaver+poly+lead&start=60&client=safari&sa=N&hl=en-us&biw=414&bih=622&tbs=vw:l,ss:67&prmd=snvi&prds=num:1,of:1,epd:8502835152874662315,paur:ClkAsKraXwnewUmjJYIqSb_-15VQNaaexflyzEoNyAhN6DAQoq2Sse6wNSy5qc04epqZKHXHrdW7mr4fSZ_CU2IEhD-RgluNhtJY8jcIDxzvAZCwgqveMP6kjRIZAFPVH70wfN1MsJwHPvRpHu7A6qGmwhwspg,prmr:1,pid:8502835152874662315,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwi6k7HYpLfgAhWtdd8KHbsQBWQ4PBCCNgi4Aw
ReplyDeleteAnd have used it every day for over 7 years now and it’s still completely perfect. The snap is super heavy duty and the rest of it has also worn like iron.
(Sorry for the long link)
I have the same one...it came with Bridget and was obviously someone's old ugly one they wanted to get rid of because it was very well used looking even then. 6 years later, it's still in near daily use and attached to her ugly halter that hangs on the gate in the field. It's rusty and the very end is getting frayed, but perfectly functional and outlasted 3 good quality nylon halters! My only critique is that the length is a bit shorter than my other ropes (not ruling out the possibility that someone in the past cut the end off though, hence the melted/frayed end :) Anyway, I'm pretty sure that thing is going to outlast us all.
DeleteI should also add that it was my go to when we were teaching Sophie to tie and she was sometimes...dramatic. (Was kind of hoping she'd kill it rather than her much newer halter, to be honest) However, it survived all her best efforts to escape with no noticable damage.
DeleteI recently bought this one: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rambo-deluxe-lead-17705 and so far I really like it! It's soft, ties well, and is a good heft and length. I can't speak to its longevity since I haven't used and abused it for that long yet, but it's woven as opposed to twisted, so it seems like it'll hold up well!
ReplyDeleteI bought a poly nylon lead from Dover 4 years ago and it’s still like new. I like the weight and softness of it.
ReplyDeleteI use yacht rope. 15 foot length with a loop spliced onto the end. I never leave a halter on so I attach the lead to the halter and leave it. Easy to tie, never had one overtighten, and I have a puller. Can be used as reins if I feel like riding in from the field.
ReplyDeleteI have this one: https://www.bigdweb.com/product/cotton+lead+rope+10+ft+brass+snap.do?sortby=bestSellers&refType=&from=Search&ecList=6&ecCategory=
ReplyDeleteit's... a lead rope lol. It's nice and long, the rope is not too thick, and it sits out in the rain/mud/etc all day and looks fine.
I use these everyday in my barn, and have had mine for over 10 years now. I can't remember where I got mine (it wasn't Dover)so I know you can find them cheaper, but wanted a quick link to show you:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.doversaddlery.com/triple-e-custom-8-braid-lead/p/X1-05102/
Ha, should have read comments first. Arteriole already shared. I second her!
DeleteI really like my Kensington clinician lead. It’s 15’ so it may be too long for daily use, especially as Connor is smaller than my ottb monster, but it’s a nice multi use length. I feel like “clinician” or natural horsemanship type lines are really sturdy and are built to withstand schenanigans. The Kensington has a replaceable snap too
ReplyDelete