Dear Husband came home not long ago and tossed a small object my way. As it landed in my lap, he grinned at me and said, "Hey Honey, get busy learning how to tie knots!" I had to wonder just what the heck he was talking about. Turns out, a supplier at the shop had been less than reliable in providing survival bracelets.
Made of sturdy paracord, the bracelets are popular among many sectors. Each one contains anywhere from 6 to 15' of cord for use in an emergency. The ones pictured in this post were created for the local Pink Heals chapter, with proceeds going to breast cancer research.
Which is all well and good- the bracelets are neat, fairly easy to create, and it helps keep my gotta DO something OCD happy.
Then we started thinking.... what ELSE can we use this for? What ELSE can we create?
Well, for one, a sweet Celtic Heart knot. These can have hardware attached to hang from your headstall, or the cord can be of a length to make a necklace.
Well that's pretty cool but what ELSE can we do? There are always things horse people need rope for. Having emergency lengths of cord on hand on a trail ride is crucial. You never know when a rein might break, or part of your headstall might break. A 10' length of seemingly decorative cord attached to your saddle (or in your pack) might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Then came time to NAME these guys. The hunter green and purple pictured here are extra grab straps, attaching to the pommel to carry equipment. Instead of using hardware in the form of snaps, these have knot ends and a loop. Each contain 12' of emergency cordage.
Next up, was the Oh Crap Strap. Ordered by a distance rider to keep her pommel bags from dancing across her thighs her entire ride, the Oh Crap Strap (AKA: Pommel Strap) came about. This one is a 7' length of cordage.
Next up was a firearms application- a Rifle Sling! I'm still working on what else we can use this particular style for in the equine world.
It was actually pretty easy to jump from the horse applications to dogs. Collars and leashes were the next step. Here we have Merp modeling her red and white creation for us. Note the refusal to look at the camera- she does NOT approve of the color or the fact that this .. this.. THING.. is around her neck.
Jo the Wonder Nanny Dog wore one too--- and oooooOOOOOOooeeeeeee you should have seen the dirty looks the old girl was shooting at me. Talk about "miffed". Jo was P!ssEd. Poor old fart. I had to give her a puppy cookie to win back her affections.
Next up on my to learn list? (Since there are already requests for them...) Halters, reins and headstalls. I ordered some neon pink today, to use for a headstall and a halter.
If you are interested in ordering something- shoot me an email. Color selection is WIDE including reflective cord. Hardware selections are just as wide, and we will create your ideal item. Prices start at $10.
Shoot me an email if you have questions! (swequine@yahoo.com)
In Other News:
Phat Boy has been getting some fairly regular work and is progressing well with his trail "training". I'm incredibly happy with his mindset and how willing he is to explore and learn new territory. We've been riding a good bit with Big Kahuna and his Mom and having a blast. I'm hoping that Phat Boy is solid enough now that once Kahuna goes home we can continue to hit our little trail with no problems.
Speaking of Big Kahuna- he is also doing well. The boy sure loves to eat and does it well!
OK- time for me to get cracking on some more knots. If you have any questions, give me a yell!
Happy trails!
~MM
9 comments:
I once made a full set of parade headstalls, reins and breast collars out of a shocking white cord for our club at the time .A B*tch to keep clean and it was rough cord so very hard on my hands but it sure looked snappy!
Always called the strap a "night latch" 'cause you latch onto it when things are darkest.
You are one enterprising lady! Good idea, hope you sell lots of them. I have a bunch of army green parachute cord, and you've just given me ideas on what to do with it.
Glad to hear Lutin is doing well. Because it means you're getting some quality horse time in.
*like!*
Love the Oh Crap Strap name!
When you get halters figured out, I want a new rope halter too - mine is a generic "large" and it doesn't quite fit a TWH head like I want. When it's pulled up high enough to be off her lower nose, it's a little too tight around her face for her to eat really comfortably. I need a custom job!
Very cool! Wondered what you were up to with all that. Handy stuff!
Those are really cool! I love the celtic heart.
OMG, I recognize those knots -- it's macrame! I used to do it in high school!
Very clever and useful. Pretty too. I like em.
Mrs Mom! You have way too many blogs! I went thru them all trying to find which one I used to always visit....You are definetly still ambitous! I want a funny lil' boy, alligator sleugh, scrappin' on the porch, lurkin' at a gun-totin' neighbor story....Ok? I will try to stay caught up....if'n I don't get lost trying to find which blog I should read! ;)
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