Substitute for Anderson Handy-Stick

I bought a 4 ft fiberglass "post" from Running's Fleet and Farm. $.69 tax included. I use electrical tape to attach a string on the end and for the handle. It's lightweight and long enough. And it has reflector tape on the "horse" end, so is quite visible, even in the evening. Easy to find if I set it down.

I bought one on eBay from someone who makes them - I felt too overwhelmed to make my own (even though I practically make all of my other equipment, lol) - but I still have it, even though it got left in a mouse-infested garage and the leather popper at the end of the string got eaten (thank goodness the handle was the only other part of the stick touching the ground, not the leather tab on the end!) I just replaced the leather popper with part of an old dog leash...

Sometimes, I just use the lead instead of the whole stick thing, but it's nice to use the stick and be safe from getting kicked of run over!

Our local tack store sells a close facsimile for $17.00. I got a CA stick from a friend and the one from the tack store to have in my trailer and I cannot tell the difference between the two. So call all your tack stores if you don't end up making one and see if they have any.

I also bought a "knock-off" at a tack store for less than $20. The String comes off, just like CA's, and the feel is identical.

I have noticed a difference in the feel/function of the halters and ropes, but the stick and string are easy to get cheap.

I made one out of half a wooden broom handle, drilled a hole in the end and tied a leather shoelace to it. If I want more to the end I can just tied it to the leather. It works great to keep my boys out of my space when we are lunging.