Home-Made Horse Tack

I have a lot of extra time in the evenings around the house... so... I was thinking, instead of sitting around watching TV, I could make horse tack. Not saddles and bridles, or bits or something, but a simple crop, or halter, lead rope, lunge line, or perhaps some blanket or even a saddle pad.

I found one book of stuff: http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-...9345834&sr=8-1

But I probably won't be able to get that book since it's kind of expensive (for my budget), and it would be hard to get it sent to right place.

Has anyone on here made their own tack? What kind of materials would you guys suggest? We have a couple of hardware stores that sell rope and clips and stuff, for lead ropes, halters, etc. But the rest I'm unsure about. Anybody have comments or suggestions?

The things I'd REALLY like to make are as followed:

1. crop or whip (I own one... but it's a long dressage one that's no good for normal riding)
2. lead rope
3. halter (not a rope halter, but a leather or web halter)
4. lunge rope/rein
5. fly hats (or whatever those things are called)
6. crazy things for horses

Once again... has anyone on here made anything? Or is in the process of making something? Or even want to make something? Please share a picture, and post any comments or suggestions you guys might have!

I saw somone with a homemade bridle on here once. It was very nice.

There is a company called U- Braid-It that sells supplys and stuff for making horse tack. http://www.ubraidit.com/ I noticed the site isn't working and they are closed till the 25th of Aug. so you may have to wait on that one.
Tandy is great for any leather supplys
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/index.asp

Thanks for the links... but I'm not looking for suppliers of stuff. I can get almost anything that I might need. There are quite a few places around here that sell good quality leather for cheap, and some even shape it how you want it, before you make something.

What I'm looking for... for the most part... is some tips of things that I can make, that will work. And for links that give some slight instructions on stuff. Sorry if I wasn't fully clear on that above...

Here is one on making rope halters. I've used these directions they are simple once you get the hang of it.
http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/tiehalter.shtml

That's pretty cool! Hehe yeah, I like the homemade halter one...lots of people have those- I still didn't get around to making mine. LOL!

I made a home made carrot stick one time... It was kinda fun. I made it out of spite though...I refused to pay what parelli charged. I hardly ever use it though... I would suggest that you only make things that you will use

Here are a couple of pictures.



If I remember right the whole project cost we a whopping 6 bucks.

Ok... something that I WILL use would be a short riding crop/bat. But I have no idea what kind of materials I should use for it. I know I need something that is kind of flexible... so it's not just a hard stick. Any ideas?

Well.... I used a fiberglass electric fence post. it is somewhat flexible since it is 4' long but if you cut it down it would lose flexability. I would just go have a "field trip" to the local hardware and farm stores and nose around and see what comes up. I don't really use a crop so I'm not sure if it would be cost effective to make your own. I have seen some rather cheap $7-8. To be honest the people that I know that do use a crop usually just cut a tree branch to use as a switch when they need one.

SOrry i'm not more help on the resourses.

Thanks... I'm really not wanting to buy one though. I'm wanting to make stuff. To pass the time... and to just make stuff. I'm wanting to decorate it how I want to. And so on. It's not a matter of money...

I was just wondering if anyone knew of some good materials for it. :P