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NEWS
Celebrating
13 years
in business!
Y Knot Rope Tack
began in
March, 2007.
Thank you to my many customers for your support and loyalty!
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Event Schedule
Midwest Horse Fair
Madison, WI
I will no longer be attending as a vendor
for full story
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We have moved! Check out our new address on the contacts page.
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New flag colors:
black, yellow,red,blue,purple
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with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PRODUCTS
Unique Trim ~ Leather Accessories
Custom Orders
Rope Halters, Lead Ropes, Long Lines,
Reins, Sticks & Strings, Hackamores,
Headstalls, Mecates & More
1/8" Polypropylene Braiding Cord
Supplier: RJ Manufacturing
Construction: polypropylene cover and core. Not spliceable
Uses: braided knots and trim
Color: Royal Blue, Pink, Green, Turquoise
Reason for selling: RJ was my supplier before ArtCraft. I have already sold the other colors of poly braiding cord I had - these are colors I was keeping because I can not get them in polyester from Artcraft. Have not used it in quite a while so am selling now. Full spools were 1000'
Price: Royal blue $25.00 (probably about 750' left on spool)
Pink $15.00 (probably about 500' left on spool)
Green $15.00 (probably about 500' left on spool)
Turquoise $10.00 (probably about 300' left on spool)
If you buy all 4 partial spools I will pay half of the shipping cost
Double Braid Eye Splice
A double braid eye splice is made by placing the cover into the core and the core into the cover, then pulling it all together with part of the rope being buried inside itself. This doubling up of the rope makes it thicker, stiffer and heavier in the spliced area. While this limits the ability to put braided knots close to splices (I cannot insert the braiding cord through the tight, stiff rope), the added weight and thickness is actually an advantage on many pieces of equipment. The weighted end of a lead rope makes it much easier to "throw", twirl and control.
The rope in the eye is still the complete rope - the core is intact throughout the loop of the eye. This maintains the strength of the rope so you can use the eye spliced end alone if desired. (in certain instances, I can reduce the core in the eye by a few strands, making for less bulky connections on snaps). Full double braid splicing retains approximately 90% of the average new rope strength and is the preferred method of attaching snaps instead of tying knots (which significantly reduces the strength of the rope) or using rope clamps (which often break or come undone). I also lockstitch all eye splices to ensure the splice stays secure although it is very difficult to undo a double braid splice once it is complete.
Eye splices can be made in various sizes to fit the required purpose but there are limits on how close splices can be made to each other and on how short the rope can be to make an eye splice. It requires a certain amount of rope to make an eye splice and the amount of rope and the minimum spacing required between splices vary with the rope diameter. The bigger the diameter, the longer the minimum length between eye splices.
1/4" Double Braid Polyester
Supplier: RJ Manufacturing
Construction: polyester cover and core. Spliceable
Uses: soft halters, strings
Color: tan
Reason for selling: rope from past supplier, matching 1/2" rope is gone
Price: $250.00 / 1000' spool (I made a halter and a few strings off this spool but it started at 1083' so I'm sure there is at least 1000' on it.)
1/4" Double Braid Polyester
Supplier: RJ Manufacturing
Construction: polyester cover, polyester core. Not spliceable
Uses: soft halters
Color: tan
Reason for selling: This is a double braid rope but it is not spliceable. The core was not made correctly for splicing but it still ties well. It makes a great soft halter - I have used most of the spool but would like to move the rest of it out now. I need the space and the matching 1/2" RJ rope is long gone. This is the same rope listed above in a full spool. I used the rope from this spool to tie halters and saved the spliceable rope to sell as a full spool.
Price: $ .25 / ft (have about 200' left ? - will cut as needed)
Construction: A braided polyester cover over a non-braided polyester/polypropylene core. The combination of polyester and polypropylene in the core gives it the semi-stiff feel - not as stiff as the polyester halter cord but stiffer than the soft double braid. The thicker diameter gives it less "bite" than the stiff cord. Not spliceable.
Uses: halters, side pull halters, cross under halters. Not suitable for mini size halters
Construction: braided polyester cover over non-braided polyester core
Uses: braided knots and trim, tassels, chin straps for more details go to About the Custom Trim
I am discontinuing this halter cord. You can order halters made with it until my supply is gone.
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3/4" Double Braid Polyester
Supplier: ArtCraft Braid
Construction: polyester cover, polyester core. Spliceable
Uses: loop reins, shorter lead ropes
Color: black
Reason for selling: I purchased 2 spools of this rope a few years ago as a special order for a trainer who then decided it was too thick and heavy and "left me holding the rope". I am closing out the last several feet at a discount price and will not be carrying this diameter once it is gone. It is just too thick and heavy for most products but several customers have liked it for reins - easy to hold onto with arthritic hands, etc. You can still order reins in this until it is gone.
Price: $ 1.50 / ft (still have a few feet left)
Flat Braid Eye Splice
A flat braid eye splice is made by removing the core of a double braid rope in the eye area and burying the cover inside itself. There is no core in the loop of the eye so the strength is diminished significantly. The buried section must be sewn to secure the splice. Without the lockstitching, the splice could come undone. I do not guarantee the security or strength of a flat braid splice but there are instances where this type of splice is appropriate.
There is no minimum length requirement between flat braid splices so when dealing with very short pieces of equipment (grab straps, rein straps on cross under halters, very short dog leashes), a flat braid splice may be necessary on one or both ends of the rope.
Some people prefer a less bulky connection when attaching a snap on an eye splice, so a flat braid splice can work for that. Since the splice is lockstitched and the eye is looped back over itself, essentially doubling the rope, the concern over security and strength is minimized but I still would not recommend this splice on a training rope that will get a lot of use and abuse. It is fine for reins and light duty lead ropes.
When the strength of the rope is not an issue, but the length of the rope is, a flat braid eye splice may solve the problem.
1/4" Double Braid Poly/Polyester
Supplier: RJ Manufacturing
Construction: polypropylene cover, polyester core. Spliceable
Uses: soft halters, strings
Color: purple
Reason for selling: rope from past supplier, matching 1/2" rope is gone
Price: $200.00 / 900' spool (started out at 1011' - I probably made a couple halters and a few strings off the spool so I'm guessing there is at least 900' left.
Colors: Hunter/Burgundy/Tan pattern
Red/White/Blue pattern
Black/Purple/Raspberry* pattern
* Raspberry colored yarn is polypropylene. Similar performance and feel of other 5/16" cord since polypropylene is such a small portion of the cover.
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $ .40/ft 100' limit per color
Excellent rope! This small east coast company contacted me and other rope tack fabricators several years ago to help design their line of equine rope. While regular "yacht" rope (double braid rope) works very well for training, it is designed for the boating industry. This Artcraft Braid product line is designed for the horse industry. True size diameters (1/2" marine rope is designed to fit through a 1/2" ring so it is slightly undersized) and a tighter weave in the cover for less snags (marine rope is not dragged on the ground through sticks and gravel) are just a couple differences.
ArtCraft Braid is my only rope supplier and I have been with them for several years now. They can provide a wide variety of sizes, types and colors of rope and I have several "custom color combinations". While the yarn supply is from overseas (manufacturing of rope fibers in the U.S. is not feasible due to all the regulations, etc.) the rope is manufactured in a small factory right here in the USA!
Solid Color: Black only
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $ .75/ft 100' limit
1/4" Polypropylene /Polyester Halter Cord
Supplier: ArtCraft Braid
Construction: polypropylene cover, polyester core. Not spliceable
Uses: stiff halters
Color: raspberry
Reason for selling: raspberry color is not available in polyester so I carried the 1/4" stiff halter cord and the 1/4" soft double braid in the poly/polyester combination so I could offer this color. I have decided not to carry the poly rope anymore so am selling what I have left.
Price: $ .25 / ft (will cut whatever length you want off the spool - I have used more off the spool than when picture was taken.)
Comparison of all sizes of double braid polyester - plus braiding cord
top to bottom: 1/8" braiding cord, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8"
Construction: A braided polyester cover over a non-braided polyester core - very strong and durable
Stiff but flexible. Not spliceable.
3/16" diameter
Halter Type: stiff (stiffness is similar to 1/4" but the thinner diameter will make a halter with more "bite")
Uses: halters, side pull halters, cross under halters, neck reins nosebands, etc. Better diameter for stiff mini halter than 1/4".
*most high quality rope has been treated to make it more UV resistant
1/4" diameter
Halter Type: soft (like Parelli halters)
Uses: halters, side pull halters, cross under halters, headstalls, browbands, strings, featherweight lines, rope slobber straps, rein connectors, dog leashes, etc.
Solid Colors: Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Purple, Red, Neon Orange, Yellow, Neon Green, Coral Pink, Silver Gray, Navy
Multi Colors:
Rainbow (blue, purple, red, neon orange, yellow, neon green, pink, black)
TurquoiseSB, (with silver and black flecks)
Twilight (blue, purple, navy)
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $ .40/ft 100' limit per color
As I stated at the top of this page, the type of fiber that the rope is made of will impact the quality and performance of the product. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of fiber. I do not have a "cost" column in the chart below but polypropylene is generally much lower in price than polyester or nylon. That is why the tack that is mass produced in overseas factories is usually made of polypropylene. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is very true in the rope tack industry. The "good stuff" is more expensive, but it will far out-last and out-perform the "cheap stuff".
1/2" diameter
Uses: lead ropes, long lines, reins, mecates, etc. - the standard diameter for most natural horsemanship equipment
Solid Colors: Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Purple, Red, Neon Orange, Neon Green, Coral Pink
Pattern: Rainbow (blue, purple, red, neon orange, yellow, neon green)
TurquoiseSB ( with silver and black flecks)
Heather: Silverado (silver gray, burgundy, hunter green, navy)
Twilight (blue, purple, navy)
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $1.00/ft 100' limit per color
Construction: A braided polyester cover over a braided polyester core - very strong and durable with just the right weight and "feel". Spliceable
1/8" Polypropylene /Polyester Braiding Cord
Supplier: ArtCraft Braid
Construction: polypropylene cover, polyester core. Not spliceable
Uses: braided knots and trim
Color: raspberry
Reason for selling: raspberry color is not available in polyester so I carried this braiding cord so I could make braided trim to match the other raspberry rope and cord. I have decided not to carry the poly rope anymore so am selling what I have left.
Price: $ 25.00 / partial spool (probably about 800' left - started at 1250')
$ .05 / ft (will cut whatever length you want off the spool)
1/8" Polyester Braiding Cord
Supplier: ArtCraft Braid
Construction: polyester cover, polyester core. Not spliceable
Uses: braided knots and trim
Colors: red, brown, yellow, kelly green
Reason for selling: I noticed these 4 spools of braiding cord were thinner and stiffer than all the other colors I had. Since consistency is key to making quality products, I reordered these colors and am selling these spools. It is strong polyester cord - could be used for lots of projects. I know I used some of the red (not for braiding), but the other colors are full spools. (normal cut price is $.10/ft so price /spool is half price)
Price: Red $ 70.00 / 1400' spool
Brown $ 75.00 / 1500' spool
Yellow $ 75.00 / 1500' spool
Green $ 75.00 / 1500' spool
Selling plain rope is not a major part of my business but I will sell limited quantities at a footage rate. Bulk rope will just have masking tape on the ends to keep the rope from fraying. Nothing is "finished". I also have some full and partial spools for sale.
ArtCraft Rope - current supply. I can sell footage of most of the double braid and halter cord I have in stock. I may also have some colors of the 1/4" stiff halter cord available on 300' spools. Limits will apply and some types/diameters/colors may not be available. If I am running low on a particular color/type, I have to reserve it for my own use.
Clearance Rope - rope from other suppliers I no longer use, slightly flawed rope and/or discontinued colors/types of ArtCraft Rope. There is generally no limit on clearance rope but it is only available until my supply is gone. Some are cut pieces, some are full or partial spools.
The per/foot and per/spool prices and limits for bulk rope are listed with the descriptions below. I can cut any length you want, up to the limit if there is one, so you can get just the right length for your project.
Prices do not include shipping/handling for bulk rope orders.
Colors: Black with tan flecks, Blue with red flecks, Purple with raspberry* flecks
* Raspberry colored yarn is polypropylene. Purple portion of cover and the whole core is polyester. Similar performance and feel of other 3/16" cord since polypropylene is such a small portion of the cord.
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $ .40/ft 100' limit per color
Double braid rope has the capacity to be spliced because of its construction - a rope inside of a rope. The pictures below show that the core is a separate complete rope that is hollow in the center, allowing the fid (the tool used in splicing) to be inserted through it. I won't go into the details, but splicing is a complicated process with many steps and it can seem like magic when the rope disappears within itself. (the thread is how I mark the required places to make the splice.)
Colors: black, tan, brown, hunter green, burgundy, blue, purple, red, neon orange, yellow, neon green, coral pink, silver gray, navy, turquoise, white, kelly green
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot $ .10/ft 200' limit per color
This is mostly leftover odds and ends of rope from other suppliers I no longer use. I also have some ArtCraft Rope listed here that I am closing out for one reason or another. There is generally no limit on clearance rope but it is only available until my supply is gone. Some are cut pieces, some are full or partial spools. I will make a deal on shipping costs if you buy multiple spools.
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Back Splice
A back splice is made by placing the cover into the core and then burying it inside the body of the rope. This is a neat, permanent way to terminate the end of a line and is so much more attractive and durable than melting the end (the method most often used to finish solid braid ropes and/or inexpensive tack).
A back splice makes the rope a little thicker and less flexible in the spliced area. This means the rope will not be usable all the way to the ends when tying on reins that are back spliced. This thicker area does add weight (although not as much as a full eye splice) making the rope easier to control. Less steps are involved in making the back splice so it can be a more economical way to finish a lead rope if you don't want the full eye splice and leather popper of my standard lead rope.
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:5-7 NIV
Comparison of all sizes of halter cord
top to bottom: 3/16", 1/4", 5/16"
3/8" diameter
Halter Type: soft - for draft sizes only
Uses: halters, lead ropes for minis, light weight long lines, thinner reins and mecates, dog leashes, etc.
5/8" diameter
Uses: lead ropes, reins, mecates - for those who like the feel of something more substantial in the hand
Solid Color: Black only at this time
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $1.35/ft 100' limit
9/32" Double Braid Polyester
Supplier: ArtCraft Braid
Construction: polyester cover, polyester core. Spliceable
Uses: soft halters, strings
Color: 1 tan spool
Reason for selling: This is an earlier version of the ArtCraft 1/4". It is just a smidgen bigger than 1/4" - you cannot tell the difference unless you have them next to each other. Decision was made to go with a true 1/4" size. I cut 50' off the spool for an order, otherwise it is untouched.
Price: $135.00 / 550' spool (original 600')
All Lead Ropes, Long Lines, Mecate Reins, Loop Reins and Split Reins are made with double braid polyester rope, sometimes referred to as "yacht rope". (This is not the ordinary, run-of-the-mill rope found in your local hardware shop or farm supply store.) Since it has migrated to the horse world from the boating industry, it is extremely durable and weather resistant. Double braid polyester rope is the type most often used with natural horsemanship techniques because it communicates your cues quicker and more effectively. It has the "life" and "feel" that many professionals talk about. It is heavier for its size than regular rope so your horse will be able to feel the slightest movement of your lead or rein. This added weight actually makes the rope easier to control. Because of its construction—a braided cover over a separate braided core—it is really two ropes in one. This allows the rope to be spliced which opens up many possibilities for rope tack products. These factors combine to make it easier for your horse to understand your cues which is why double braid polyester rope works so much better for training than other inferior rope. If you have never used a double braid polyester rope before, you will definitely notice the difference just by picking it up and giving it a flick.
All Halters and Headstalls are made with double braid polyester rope or halter cord. The double braid rope used for making soft halters is the same as described above except for its smaller diameter. The halter cords, which make semi-stiff to stiff halters, are constructed differently - they have a braided cover over a non-braided core. They cannot be spliced.
Rope halters made with high quality rope/cord are excellent training tools. The important factors when using rope halters are the diameter and firmness of the rope or cord. The smaller diameter of a rope halter—relative to a nylon web or leather halter—applies more pressure per square inch. It therefore transmits your cues more effectively and will give instant release when the horse gets the right answer. The firmness of the rope will determine the level of comfort for your horse. So the thinner and stiffer the rope, the more uncomfortable it will be for the horse to lean against it or ignore your cues. A halter made with the stiff cord will have more bite. A halter made with a larger diameter and/or a softer rope will be less aggressive. However, it is important to note that the severity of a rope halter is determined more by the handler than by the material it is made of.
The choice of a soft or stiff rope halter is a matter of personal preference. I make halters in a variety of rope diameters and firmness levels so you can choose the one that is right for you and your horse at your particular stage of training.
Example - why rope halters are best for training: If I use my open hand (web halter) and push on your arm a bit, you might wonder what I'm trying to tell you. If I poke you in the arm with the end of my finger (soft rope halter), you understand that I want you to move and you step away. If I use my fingernail as well (stiff halter with extra knots), you will likely jump away quickly and keep your eye on me to see what I might do next.
....better equipment can lead to a better response.
A word about the terms used in the rope tack industry. Some businesses use the terms "yacht rope" or "poly rope" to describe their tack. These terms can be misleading. Yacht rope generally refers to rope that has double braid construction. It can be made with any type of fiber - nylon, polyester, polypropylene - but not all fibers are equal in quality. So just because it is touted as "yacht rope" doesn't mean it's high quality rope. "Poly" can mean polyester but it usually refers to polypropylene or MFP (multi filament polypropylene) which is a lower quality fiber. It works well for some instances - it is lightweight and floats so it is great for marine purposes - it's just not as strong or durable as polyester so it is not as good for training equipment. So be aware of these "word plays" and make sure you know what type of fiber the rope is made of. It will make a big difference in the performance of the rope.
In my opinion, the best rope for working with horses is polyester. It is strong and durable; will not rot or mildew (like natural fibers, cotton); does not absorb water and is not affected by salt water (sweat); does not stretch or shrink (like nylon); and will stay flexible and pliable over the life of your equipment. I have a chart near the bottom of the page comparing different fibers so you can see the advantages/disadvantages of each.
1/4" diameter
Halter Type: stiff (like Clinton Anderson halters)
Uses: halters, side pull halters, cross under halters, neck reins nosebands, etc.
Solid Colors: Black, Tan, Brown, Hunter Green, Burgundy, Blue, Purple, Red, Neon Orange, Yellow, Neon Green, Coral Pink, Silver Gray, Navy
Multi Colors:
Rainbow (blue, purple, red, neon orange, yellow, neon green, pink, black)
TurquoiseSB (with silver and black flecks)
Twilight (blue, purple, navy)
Bulk Rope Price: by the foot, $ .40/ft 100' limit per color
by the spool, $100.00 / 300' spool
It is important to note that no product or rope is a magic bullet that will solve any problem your horse may have. But - as with any project - using the right tools for the job really does make a difference. Web halters and regular poly lead ropes may get the job done eventually, but rope halters and double braid polyester leads and reins will enhance your training and help you get quicker results.
Example: You can chop down a tree with an ax.... but a chainsaw gets the job done faster! That doesn't mean that you can set it next to a tree and expect the chainsaw to cut it down by itself. You still have to do the required preparations and you have to use the chainsaw properly. And the more times you use it, the better you will get with it.
Same with your training equipment - quality makes a difference and "practice makes perfect".
Please scroll down the page to see the variety of rope and cord I have to offer. There are different types, different diameters, and lots of different colors. Past the rope options, you can find the comparison chart of rope fibers plus some information on the types of splices that are possible with double braid ropes. I have some clearance rope listed at the bottom of the page.
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