Braiding Rawhide Rein Connectors
A good project is always about more than the product.
Not long ago, a cowboy friend of mine invited me out to move some heifers to a new pasture. As a school teacher, I’m cooped up inside for most of the week. As a result, I always enjoy the opportunity to get out and do work like that. Although the day was cold and windy, the heifers moved easily and the work went smoothly. I was riding my daughter’s little 4-H mare. At the moment, the little horse is our go-to for about any job. At times, she’s got a little too much go, so getting her out in big country for some honest work isn’t bad for her. For the most part, she worked nicely, and by late morning, we were headed back to the trailer.
As we got back to the trailer, I pulled gently on the reins to stop her. To my surprise, my rein chains broke as she came to a stop. After just spending hours riding in open country, I felt more than a little blessed to have a breakdown at that particular moment. I don’t know if it was God’s work or just good timing, but I’ll take it either way. Of course, the best time for your gear to break is when you’re DONE working.
When I got home that night, I knew I needed to get some new rein chains. As I thought about it, I decided I wanted to take the opportunity to make my own rein connectors instead of buying them. It was a chance to improve my braiding skills and create something useful at the same time. Although I didn’t know everything I needed to know when I started, I decided to dive in and give it a try.
If you’d like to watch the process, here is a video I made essentially time-lapsing the project. I hope you enjoy it.
To make rein connectors like these, you basically need to know four techniques. You need to know how to do a four-strand braid, an eight-strand braid, a Spanish Ring knot, and a Pineapple knot. Going into the project, I knew how to do three of the four, but did not know how to do a Pineapple knot. They are all useful for many projects, so I decided now was as good a time as any to get started.
Like always happens when you try something new, the Pineapple knot threw some trouble my way. I practiced multiple times, failed, and tried again. Eventually, I learned how to make the knot well enough for me to go ahead with this project. If you watch the video, you should see how I combined everything together to create serviceable rein connectors.
In the end, braiding these rawhide rein connectors was a good project for a few reasons. First, I created a useful piece of gear that should last for a long time. I’ll also admit to some satisfaction when I used them for the first time. Also, braiding these expanded my possibilities and built my skills if only a little bit. Potential is having the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. Before starting, I couldn’t braid them. By the end, I could braid them. I had the potential, but I had to challenge myself to go from possibility to reality.
In these types of traditional crafts, I find, a big part of the value is the process itself. They usually take patience, attention to detail, and perseverance. This braiding project also created quiet time in the shop and required my attention and concentration. In a world that is growing more and more digital, automated, and easier, we may find benefits from the intentional challenge traditional skills offer. After breaking the rein chains, I certainly could have just gone online and bought a pair off the Internet for less than $30. And there are times when I do that. It’s easy and efficient to just buy them. However, from time to time it may be in our best interest to take those opportunities that allow us to develop skills and abilities.
I can’t tell you where those opportunities are for you, but I do believe they are there. I also believe you have the potential to expand your possibilities, grow, and develop the skills and interests you have. In our modern world, it may not be bad for us to experience some of the old-world challenges, processes, and rhythms. You may find those benefits are greater than the product itself. Good luck with your projects and enjoy the process.