Re: Tailing

[C Eyler <eyler@mindspring.com>]

Campmor sells back-to-back velcro that's great for this purpose.

Cindy Eyler
Baltimore

>I bought some mountain climbing rope (by the foot), attached a small
>caribbeaner to the end of it and clip it to the bottom of my horses
>halter/bridle (whatever I have on his head at the time).  I believe the
>length is about 10' long.  Then I coil up the end of it in about one or two
>loops and attach that to the pommel on my saddle.  I made a little velcro
>thingy that goes around my pommel, so I only need lift up the end of the
>velcro strap, put the rope down and put the strap back over it.  Holds it
>nice and secure - there is nothing in my way - and should the rope manage
>to get caught on something the velcro will give way (haven't had that
>happen - seems to be a pretty good system).  Then, when I know I'm going to
>get off and tail, I'll un-velcro the tailing rope, and replace it with my
>regular reins - so that they are now being held by the velcro.  This way
>when I am tailing I don't have to worry about them falling off sideways or
>over the horses head (as he tries to stop and eat every time there is
>food!).  Once you do it a few times, it is really easy and not as
>complicated as it sounds.  The benefit of the velcro is that it works
>really good to hold a small flashlight too - usually by the time I want to
>have a flashlight with me I am no longer going to be tailing so can trade
>the tailing rope for the flashlight.  I could describe in more detail how
>to make the velcro attachment for the pommel - it should work on almost any
>saddle.