:shock:

$65 bucks for a rope halter and lead? Holy expensive batman!

No way .. I wouldn't spend that, don't care who's name is on it. I love good equipment and often it doesn't come cheap. But to me, there's a difference between buying good quality tack and just getting crazy about it.

Then too .. I know nothing about this No Worries club either so *shrugs*

 

No you don't need to buy "brand name" items. Yes, some cheaper brand may not be the best quality but they are cheaper because you're not paying for having his name on it.

Just like buying tools, you could pay more for Snap-on tools or you could pay less for Craftsman. Similar quality but big difference in price because of the Snap-on name.

Just use what you have or get what you need at a local tack store.
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Thank you usandpets! I was about ready to let the shopaholic side of me be in control again and go nuts buying everything all over again...lol. I didn't know if there was much difference between his "tools" and everyone else's "tools".

 

I was going to say no, but in all honesty, 65$ for a rope halter and a good quality lead is actually a fair, if not good, price. a long rope lead of the kind that is used (the very heavy kind, and 15 ft) is very expensive. A good rope halter, somewaht stiff with metal coverings on the ends to stop fraying, will cost about 35$ here, just by itself. the lead would be about 50$ on it's own, around here. So, from my perspective, the cost is not the issue.

If you have a good quality rope halter and lead, use the one you have.

the "handy" stick , I don't know. I just prefere a dressage whip, and the lower teh quality the better, for this use.

 

Well, it's actually $89.99, but for NWC members it's $65.99. I've just never spent that much on a halter or lead before...lol. I think my rope halter was $8.99 and my lead rope was $14.99.

 

I just use a regular rope halter that i bought for like 10$, recently bought a 14' lead for 14.99 and waiting on a 4'' clinician stick at 14.99. I can't afford Clinton Anderson's stuff so i just buy anything similar for cheaper and it does the trick Hope that helps

 

Well, the rope halter you have,. as long as it's strong and fits , is fine. If the lead you bought is the typical one that I see so much, it will not do for training purposes. Maybe just get the CA lead.

I prefer a lead without a metal snap on the end (clonks the horse under the jaw during some training moves) but I dont' know what CA wants. I am NOT a CA follower.

 

I believe CA recommends the rope that is tied to the halter. I have had no issues using one that clips or interfering with training. I actually like having it there. Yes it is extra weight hanging on the halter. But if slobber straps help give a better release with the reins, why wouldn't the clip. Also, just like the popper on a whip, the clip can add an extra pop if needed. Not much different than having a stud chain lead rope.
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this lead rope is really nice. a good quality lead rope is a joy to have in the hand.

Lead Ropes & Longe Lines ~ Training ~ Leading ~ Lead Rope

 

I forgot to comment on your question of length. It's what you prefer. I don't care for the shorter 8' ropes at the tack stores. Those are good for tying and leading. I like a 12' rope to work with the horse. Anything longer seems to get tangled up or around my feet.
I hate using our lunge line. I spend more time messing with the line than working the horse. However, I like having the horse close to me when working. Close so I can be accurate where I apply pressure and have control. I don't do much loping/cantering on the line. But like I said, it'll depend on what you prefer.
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The lead i have does not have the snap it has leather strings on the end and my rope halter has held up pretty well considering the price

 

Thanks Joseeandjade and tinyliny! I think I'm going to stick to my rope halter and maybe get the lead line!

 

this is the kind of leadline I see a lot. Is fine for just leading but does not work well as a training tool, and is too short for the most part. It simply lacks the weight and "feel" of the heavier rope leads, which tend to be more like yachting rope (used on yachts)


Amazon.com: Hamilton Poly Lead With Bull Snap For Horses/Cows: Sports & Outdoors

 

I don't have the tools personally, but my trainer has four handy sticks because we keep breaking normal lunge whips :rofl: I have to say, I LOVE THEM. I never thought I would, I thought it would just be a "buy all mah stuffz" but seriously it is so much easier for me to manuever than a normal lunge whip. Length is perfect, weight is perfect, string is perfect, maneuverability is perfect.

I don't have the rope halters though. I can find the Professional's Choice knotted rope and lead at my store for half the cost, and $5 rope halters there too. If I'm going to pay more than $20 for a halter and lead, it'd better be a bronc halter. (That's the barrel racer side of me coming out)

On a side note CONGRATULATIONS on your NW club membership! I LOVE this club, it really is helpful and a cool thing to have. I love the DVDs, watch them if I get stuck, particularly the foal training ones.

 

It can indeed add more "pop", but in many cases, learners do not have the skill to manipulate the lead line, at a disance, without applying too much umph to the rope and popping the horse too much under the jaw. Then, one goes right past the spot with the soft feel and straight into a very strong bop on the underside of the jaw. hard for beginners to find the place that is getting the message across wiht the littlest amount possible. Some horse's get fearful of that bop under the jaw and end up throwing their heads up even more .

however, it's not a huge deal either way.

 

I guess you mean this:

that is too short (8') and has no weight to it at all. Will not be a good tool for the work you will be doing with CA.

 

i trained my horse [from when she was 3 and couldnt even lead] with CA methods and i used a rope halter off ebay, a heavy 12ft lead [similar to the "NH" ones with the popper on the end], and a lunge line. i didnt ever use a stick or whip or anything like that.

as long as you understand the concepts, the specific equipment you use is pretty unimportant.

 

As long as you understand the concepts, the specific equipment you use is pretty unimportant.

Exactly! ^^
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I'm afraid I'm terribly 'cheap' when it comes to basic stuff. I always shop around to get the best deals and would never pay extra for a 'label' unless it was absolutely so much better than anything else However when I want quality if I have to pay more for it then I will.

 

Oooh...I like those lead ropes! ) Thank you!

 

This is the lead i bought that i'm using to do my training at 14.95$, im sure it's not the best and not better than Clinton Anderson's leads but it works for me

POLY BRAID 14-FT LEAD - Leads & Lunge Lines - Halters & Leads

 

If you're gonna do it like Clinton, you need his stuff.. lol.

 

You can manage with those leads. Once you have become accustomed to the weight of a good lead line you will hate the feel of the lighteweight cheap ones. I have two heavy ones, and love them, but my 15 ft got a bit abraided by baling twine loop I tied to. I shall have to tape off the torn spot.

 

Oh Yes!

I used the generic brand for a year. They were OK. Then I used my wife's CA Halter, Lead, and Stick and they are wayyyyy better.
The Halter is a nice stiff rope (easy to put on) with 5 nose knots instead of 3 or none that most rope halters have.
The lead rope is weighted and moves and flexes smoothly without tangling.
The stick and string are used together and individually for a variety of exercises. They are the right length and combination for following the CA method.
You don't have to use his stuff but it is sooo much easier.
I use wal-mart brand tools on my car. A mechanic uses snap-on tools.
They both work, but his fit better, last longer, and are more ergonomic to use.
If you could do one lesson with a set of CA tools you wouldn't be able to get your wallet out fast enough.:wink:

 

This is what I use with my Clinton Anderson book and I've loved all of it.

12' Lead with Twist Snap Soft Rope Halter for Parelli Training Many Colors | eBay

I also found a carrot stick or handy stick or whatever he calls it on ebay for $25. If I were to purchase that over again, I'd go with the parelli style carrot stick over the one I bought, because although they are both made of fiberglass, the one I have is more flexible, and I like the rigidity and strength of the carrot stick better. However, I use it daily and still love it and it comes in purple which matches all my other stuff

 

Even Clinton himself says you DON'T need his stuff, but does recommend them because they have been designed with his methods in mind.

I hand tie my own halters and buy 1/2 inch yachting rope in whatever length I need.

 

Thank you everyone for your advice, opinions, and ideas! I like the look of some of those lead ropes! Definitely going to look into them more today!