RANCHco Saddle Shop signs go up!

Signs go up.... Coming soon the new and improved RANCHco Saddle Shop!

A New Day and a New Building!

Ranchco is proud to announce that after a year of negotiating we have
purchased the strip shopping center from JH Properties. We are currently remodeling the
entire building and will move from the current space we occupy on the south end
of the center to a much larger space on the north end. Our address will remain
unchanged.

This will greatly increase our retail show room, saddle shop area along
with larger shipping area and offices.

The new retail showroom will occupy a 6,000 square foot area capable of
handling increased inventory of saddles, tack and many new items.

We are very proud of Ron, Jeremiah, Jon, Layton and the team of folks who
have assisted in the remodel process. Also kudos to Laura, Bethany and Haven
for their hard work in painting, decor, and handling all the new merchandise. Also
thanks to Kenneth (Kmac) for holding down the fort while we concentrate on the
remodeling.

Despite the mid summer heat we are nearing completion. We have most likely
increased the stock value of Gatorade as we try to stay hydrated in over 100 degree
weather!

This project has required we become carpenters, electricians, plumbers,
painters, interior decorators, sign workers, tile and flooring experts, cabinet
makers and more. Luckily we grew up learning these skills  (I hope my Dad would be
proud of all this as I think of him often during this process).

This new space has been a dream of ours and we hope you will come check it
out.

Ron and Laura Eaton

Join us on Facebook at RANCHco Saddlery for daily deals on Tack and
Saddles! Watch for free give aways!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000230310922

Laura Eaton
Eaton Ranchco Saddle Shop
806-687-2367
461 Hwy 62/82
Wolfforth, TX 79382
Please visit us again soon at:

www.ranchco.net

What is a mecate?

Traditional Mecate reins (pronounced either muh-caw-tee or McCarty) are made from horse hair, but can also be made from nylon double braid marine rope. These reins are normally between 20-22 feet long. Don’t worry, you won’t have to figure out what to do with an extra 15 feet of rein. Approximately 8-10 feet are used for the rein and the remaining 10-12 feet are used as a lead rope or popper when in the saddle. The mota is the thing at the other end of the rope (from the popper) which has the knot or cluster of horse hair and tassle on it.


Mecate reins are meant to be used with slobber straps and bits with a 3" ring (you need room for the headstall and slobber straps). The slobber straps protect the mecate and help provide a quick release (feel) for training. When riding, we usually put the end through our belt/ belt loop or tuck it into the waist of our pants. Some people prefer to wrap the end around the saddle horn for easier access. This is really a personal preference kind of thing.


We prefer the horse hair mecate for a number of reasons:


The horse responds to the feel of the horse hair on their neck much better than nylon.


They look really good on our horses.


But, marine grade rope has it’s advantages too:


Feel on your hands. Horse hair takes some time to get used to.


Price. Horse hair mecates are hand made – which adds to the cost.


Easily washable.


Mecate’s are an excellent training device. Here’s why we like them:


The weight of the reins with the slobber straps provides an instant release when working with a horse. The release is the reward that the horse is seeking when you ask for something.


You can teach a horse to neck rein significantly faster with horse hair mecate reins than with traditional reins.


You can use the popper to make a correction while in the saddle without having to go for your progress string.


When trail riding, you can use the lead to tie your horse safely. You can’t do this with any other headstall, rein, bit combination that we know of.


When schooling your horse, if you want to get off and make a correction or longe your horse – you have the lead rope attached and you are ready to go.


When working other horses from your horse you can use the lead to yield the other horse.