bucking Straps

[entiendo]

I've been asked to make bucking straps, AKA grab strap, night latch, and proably more names. Has anyone made one of these? I have a couple of ideas, but I'm not sure how I want to do it and I'm not sure how long it should be.

In case you are wondering exactly what a bucking strap might me, it's a strap attached to the saddle so the rider can grab it when needed, like when you get off balance or are in trouble. And it does seem more likely those who ride English might request one, but the straps I've been asked to make are for western saddles.

Edited May 23, 2008 by entiendo

[roo4u]

i think i have a back issue of western horseman(from last year) that had an article that mentioned night latches and a brief description with approximate measurements. if i can find it i will post whatever is says. one suggestion might be to do an online search and look at whats for sale...alot of times they will have basic measurements in the description of the item.

[entiendo]

i think i have a back issue of western horseman(from last year) that had an article that mentioned night latches and a brief description with approximate measurements. if i can find it i will post whatever is says. one suggestion might be to do an online search and look at whats for sale...alot of times they will have basic measurements in the description of the item.

Thanks Roo...I did try and do a search but I could only find the measurements for an English saddle. I found a couple of pictures of them on western saddles but no measurements. I figured worse case sernario I could just use my saddle and get a feel of a good length.

[TwinOaks]

Do the customer a favor and make it out of single strand 3/32 sueded lace. That should convey the message that they need to learn to hold on with their legs, and stick to the saddle with their bottom.

In lieu of that, if you make one for the customer, consider making a break away for it. If the rider is holding on to that strap and leaves the horse, there's a good chance he/she can twist up in it and be unable to let go. Now you've got a bucked rider semi permanently attached to a horse that's freaking out 'cause there's this big thing attached to it's side hollaring and screaming.

In some cases it could also act like a lower sitting launch tab...er, saddle horn.

Even PBR guys get hung up in thier bull straps from time to time, and those are designed to let go when the rider looses grip.

Thanks for reading my $.02 worth.

[Luke Hatley]

[entiendo]

LOL, point taken, but I think it's mainly for looks on a plain saddle. However, perhaps a quick release wouldn't be a bad idea.

[TwinOaks]

Maybe Luke or Bruce will correct me on this, but here goes: I think the original idea of the "night-latch" wasn't so much as a 'grap-in-case-of-emergency' strap. It was for the cowboy who had overnight sentry duty on the herd. The original idea was kinda like a retaining strap incase the cowhand fell asleep at the reins.

For a nice pretty little design, here's an idea: take a strap of whatever width you like, and dye one side of it. Now, measure the width of the strap and write it down; We'll call this X. A set of dividers is great for this next part, but I have used a ruler. Measure X from the end of the strap (maybe a little more depending on the way you mean to attach it), and mark a spot. Staying centered on the strap, mark X's for the length you want the night latch. Connect every other set of dots with a knife, so that the slit looks like a perforated line down the center of the strap. ( - - - - - -) I'd like to point out here, that you can play with the 'tightness' of the pseudobraid by varying the spacing between the slits. Width of the slit can be played with a little, but needs to stay close to the strap width until you get the technique down. Leave a pretty good running end on it, and cut a point at the tip. Now, (hoping you haven't used Eco- dyes) wet the whole strap. You'll want it pretty wet for this, as you'll really be stressing the leather. Now, take the running end (point) and pass it through the first slit, being careful not to twist it. Just keep pulling until the strap rolls in on itself. Repeat down the strap through each consecutive slit. Let dry and apply finish, then attach with aforementioned break away. I'll post a pic when I can find it.

Mike

Edited May 25, 2008 by TwinOaks

[AndersHeintz]

I think you are right on the money Mike about the Night Latch. I really can't see it very useful at all as a bucking strap, that would probably be the worst thing to grab if your horse starts pitching, kind of like the saddle horn, will get you into more trouble then you had to start off with.

[TwinOaks]

To be clear, this is only one design, which is easy to make, and looks pretty good- you could always take the 8 strand flat braid approach....

[attachment

11644:lwpics6.JPG]

As stated in the prev. post, if you wanted the 'braid' closer together, you might try the spacing between slits at 1/2 X.

On good leather, rather than a split, the side roll will show the color of the back of the leather, so you can color the back and have , light on dark or color the front and dark on light.

Mike

Thanks to the OP on this type of strap, for introducing it. I couldn't find the thread or the pics, so I had to improvise.

Edited May 25, 2008 by TwinOaks

[bruce johnson]

There is a whole thread on the night latch, it's history, some styles, and the reasons for and against. It is under the topic "grab strap" in the How Do I Do This? section. I'll try to stick a link in here.