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

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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.

[TwinOaks]

Thanks for the reminder, Bruce. I couldn't for the life of me remember where it was at. Here's the link.

Mike

[entiendo]

Thank you so much...I didn't quite get what you are trying to explain Twin Oaks, I'm only a braider so that doesn't help, but I'm going to check out that old thread.

[AndersHeintz]

Thanks for posting the link Mike, it was a great read!

[entiendo]

Yes it was a great read. I even sent the link to one of the gals that wanted one. She's having second thoughts but said she only wanted it for decoration, so I was correct there. I don't mind making one for my friends but knowing what I do now I'm not sure I'd make them for anyone else. I'm wondering if they can be made like English breakaway stirrups. A band would attach some how and break away if there was to much pressure. It really would be a pretty thing to dress up a plain saddle, just for the heck of it. Yes, I kind of want one for my saddle too. I have a completely plain all rough out treeless saddle with no horn, it could use a little color and a few pretty buttons.

[TwinOaks]

How about short stitching it? By this I mean figure out the approximate breaking strength for a series of stitches/laces, and keep the attachment strength below a certain level. Maybe make the strap attachment strong enough to support the saddle's weight, but would break at +15 lbs? That seems strong enough be useful for seating adjustments, or handling the saddle, but would give quickly when subjected to a shock impulse of 50+ lbs.

I kinda feel like I'm outta my league with answering this one, so hopefully some of the more experienced saddlers will chime in.

[entiendo]

How about short stitching it? By this I mean figure out the approximate breaking strength for a series of stitches/laces, and keep the attachment strength below a certain level. Maybe make the strap attachment strong enough to support the saddle's weight, but would break at +15 lbs? That seems strong enough be useful for seating adjustments, or handling the saddle, but would give quickly when subjected to a shock impulse of 50+ lbs.

I kinda feel like I'm outta my league with answering this one, so hopefully some of the more experienced saddlers will chime in.

I was thinking about leather too, but how thick to cut it is the qestion. Maybe I can do a bit of research on that. I could give them a few strings. I'm thinking 2 loops on the ends and just tie it with a piece of leather.

[bruce johnson]

Without getting into the reasons for and against nightlatches, that has already been discussed. If you are going to build one, and the rider is going to use one as intended, it needs to not break away. If it is going to be a decoration, then I would question whether it is going to just be a nuisance that someone will accidentally hang up in and cause a wreck that might not have needed to happen otherwise. There are enough people hanging a spur up in saddle bags, horn pockets to carry lunch or a camera, or water bottle pockets getting on or running a limb through them, I am not sure that adding a loop around the fork is a good idea for most people.

[entiendo]

There sure are a lot of opinions on this.

Not sure what could get hung up on it. The horn is the most dangerous piece of equipment on my saddles, hate those things! They should not be allowed on pleasure saddles in my opinion, but most pleasure saddle still have horns, maybe this strap is similar to that debate.

And I still ride in tennis shoes, but I know I shouldn't.

I wear a helmet though.

I read that the bucking strap is better than the horn because the horn lifts you out of the saddle on a spook or buck and the strap pushes you down. I don't know either way, I'm kind of with the first post, minus the leg, I think it's your seat and balance that's going make or break you. But this piece of leather might come in handy to tie things on.

[superchute]

ok from a guy that has used a cheat strap make it big enuf to hold your butt in the saddle if you need it to that is why you put it on. I use one on colts for about the first 30 rides then I take it off the colt should be handing good enuf by then. The breakaway ID is not bad untell it break when your trying to keep your rear in the seat. IF you use it like a barback riggen to hold your self in it works vary well. Better to hang on then get the colt thinking he can get you off. I do beleave that it not for every one and for shere not on the saddle all the time and is not a place to hang thing on the saddle.

Russell

Edited May 26, 2008 by superchute

[moriver]

to much analyzing here...

You use a bucking strap on colts when you first start them, it will save your back and some bones when you need it. The last thing you want is a breakaway, excellent way to really get hurt. 30 years experience in breaking colts and training horses I've learned that people who wear helmets shouldn't have bucking straps because they will get in trouble with it.

[entiendo]

Well darn, I've only been breaking colts and riding other people's problems for about 20 years, and I've found that people who don't wear helmets quite often break their heads open.

I've heard of a lot of horse back riding accidents that resulted in death, and quite often the horse falls somehow, seat and skill won't save you there, only a helmet.