Doug Krause Video: Horsehair Worker (Ranch Handcraft)

westernfolklife.org The making of handcrafted gear has flourished over the past two decades, with makers experimenting with new materials, techniques and designs, and adding their personal stamp to a long legacy of traditional artistry. Meet Doug Krause, horsehair worker, and learn a bit about the skills, ingenuity, and perserverance that goes into making a "good hand," in this Art of Gearmaking video from our Back At The Ranch exhibition. Length: 4:25.

[@captndavie]

I have watched this over and over. I’d like to see a longer more in depth video and some info on the machine would be interesting too.

[@cheyennehorses]

Enjoyed that. Thanks for posting.

[@garyevans8116]

That's fantastic mate how clever & nice that looks

[@christopherch7307]

Awesome craftsmanship

[@patriciadavis4664]

Beautiful we are a family of Saori weavers and of course hackamore riders but never did I think about the making of a horse hair mecate until now. Thank you beautiful tradition. Might try a drop spinal of mane hair.

[@dakellymon]

Well done. I salute you.

[@skellyleon3636]

Even his strand splitter is COOL!

[@miketapp7262]

Very interesting.

[@suemcfarlane4199]

I have heard spinners say you can spin any fibre not just fleece and your video really shows that

[@lisa8220]

In a sail boat the lines are woven with colors specific to the sail, I think. It's a clear signage.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Is the softness of the rope a function of the quality of the materials that you start with, and it having 6 strands, and through use?

[@claumarula]

You are the best. Bless for you and kisses...

[@shyfillie3368]

👏👍 thx 4 riding in rope halter. It's the _only way_ 2 ride.😃

[@1981BMC]

QUE BONITO TRABAJO SIN DUDA ADMIRABLE...SOY DE MEXICO YO TAMBIEN TRABAJO LA CRIN HACIENDO LLAVEROS.BANDAS PARA SOMBRERO.CINTURONES. ETC ME GUSTARIA APRENDER MAS ACERCA DE SU TRABAJO.. ME GUSTO MUCHO COMO INICIA USTED PARA EMPEZAR A TORCER LA CRIN? SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO AGRADECERIA RESPONDIERA MI COMENTARIO. GRACIAS!!!!

[@suemcfarlane4199]

So it's like a signature knot on the end of the rope

[@LukeA1223]

How do I find bulk horse hair?

[@westernfolklife]

Our expert on staff suggests Hitching Post Supply (they list both mane and tail hair on their website), although we are not sure if that is processed hair or raw. Finding raw might be a bit of a challenge...

[@sarahturner8678]

are there enough people that know how to do this to keep this skill going into the future? Do you take apprentices? the equipment seems so specific

[@westernfolklife]

The tradition of mecate making currently appears to be in good hands, Sarah. Some makers say the challenge is coming up with enough horsehair for their work. There are mecate makers that have taken on apprentices over the years, some through apprenticeships with master artisans offered through state arts councils around the West. The equipment used to make mecates varies from fairly industrial in design, such as used by Doug Krause, to fairly simple homemade tools.

[@sarahturner8678]

Western Folklife Center Thanks for your reply, I watched a video yesterday on Lige Langston, he had is wife help him twist and braid a mecate with some pretty crude-looking tools (I love it ingenuity) and now that I have researched the method, it isn’t quite as difficult as I had previously imagined. I just worry that human skill gets lost when things are mass produced, and this is such a functional art. I can see how not having enough mane hair would be what might compromise the art form. Love your videos!

[@westernfolklife]

@@sarahturner8678 Thank you!

[@dkeith45]

Very cool. Makes me wonder how horse hair reins would feel, surely better than the nylon ones I'm using now. Especially love seeing the rider using a bosal. Bitless is the best. : )

[@taylor5248]

They feel very prickly, and kinda abrasive

[@dkeith45]

@@taylor5248 Hm, that doesn't sound very good, tho I bet it's easier to grip them then. Maybe you'd have to use leather gloves while riding with them if your hands aren't calloused enough.

[@taylor5248]

@@dkeith45 no, they are not that bad from my experience. They are just prickly enough to be annoying

[@omarandpedro]

hackamore is only the first step in having a horse straight up in the bridle.

[@dkeith45]

@@omarandpedro I don't use Hackamore's and likely never will. When I first started riding, the horses owner used a 'Tom Thumb bit'. Once I had some experience I convinced them to allow me to try other bits. My first choice was a 'ring snaffle', then I tried a 'full cheek snaffle' and finally settled on a 'full cheek french link snaffle' which the horses and I seemed to like the best. Problem with any of those bits though was when we'd take a break while out on the trail, while they were grazing a lot of grass would get stuck in the bit. That's why I did further research into head control devices and decided to try what is known as a 'bitless bosal' AKA a 'cross pull bosal'. That solved the problem and I was able to control the horse just fine. The horses I rode also liked it the best. I think of the dozen or so horses I've ridden using the bosal only one didn't like the pressure it put on her nose (she'd toss her head a lot and fight it) and I reverted back to the French link full cheek snaffle for her.

[@lindalester-brooks8179]

I help care for the notorious Merlin Rupp. Who makes Mecarti Ropes and cinches. He knows of all different designs of twisting. I showed him this video and he knows who Meg Glaser is and wants to donate his saddle and other things too her for the place she has in Elko NV. Doug Krause bought his stuff Merlin said from blind Bob.😁 And Jeremiah Watt is the father to Levi Miller’s wife. Merlin makes me smile and laugh. He said there was another guy who made mecarti’s called blind Sam. And Merlin said I got myself a stamp and named it “One of a kind blind Merlin.” Loll 😂 Levi Miller called him today on the phone and visited. Jeremiah Watt has a picture in his shop on the wall of Merlin Rupp riding a big brown horse and roping another horse out in Jordan Valley, Oregon. Merlin says I’ve probably rode more bucking horses and roped more cattle then anybody ever has.

[@perrysmith6872]

There's some bald horses running around out there . I hope there n a warm climate . LoL .

[@joelrudzinski6829]

Cut out the buying hair from China. Your art is Fantastic. But, for every dollar you spend on Chinese goods .84 cents goes to the RED ARMY and only .04 Cents goes to the workers. But, this art is one of the best rope arts I've seen and I'd love to learn and start doing it, as I am a combat disabled Vet..

[@matiasgutierrez435]

Mecate if u gona say it say it right just like come to US speak English my grandfather n uncles make these things all by hand with the hair they cut off the mules they sale they are last of the real charos a dying tradition

[@jaywillelec]

Matias Gutierrez if you are going to write it, write it correctly.

Matias Gutierrez ask a Texas Cowboy about a Mecate and he may give you a blank stare. My father cowboyed after WWII in Texas Oklahoma New Mexico, Colorado... prior to the war he was in the 7th Cavalry.. to say he knew his trade was an understatement. Never once did he refer to it as a Mecate. .. it was a McCardy to him. And I would hazard a guess he could match his skill set to your grandfather and uncles any day.

[@matiasgutierrez435]

@Ye Olde Horsemanship Channel then who u smart person who made the mecate or u think its mcardy too ha ha yall make me laugh

[@matiasgutierrez435]

@Ye Olde Horsemanship Channel well u can't speak wen writing soo I can do wtf I want y del jacal its mine so there quit hanging off the white mans nuts u said it spaniards taught the raza not gabachos u know wat I don't even like horses or a horses ass later