Page 85 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots

Dutchman: A system for tightening a line by running it through a loop and back, creating
2:1 leverage.

Eye splice: A splice which creates a loop at the end of a line.
Grass rope: Common western term for a rope of natural fibers.
Half-breed pad: A padded covering on a Decker packsaddle containing two horizontal

boards to help distribute the weight of the pack and protect the animal from odd-shaped
objects.
Highline: A tight line strung overhead with loops to which attach the lead ropes of

restrained horses or mules.
Hitch: In the packing world, a system of ropes and knots designed to hold cargo on a pack
animal.
Hobble half: A strap with buckle and ring to attach to just one pastern for picketing or other

purposes.
Hobbles: A strap or rope normally between the front pasterns of a horse or mule to
prevent excessive movement; three-legged hobbles have an additional strap that

extends from a ring between the animal’s front feet back to a hobble half on one hind
pastern.
Honda: The eye of a lariat through which the loop runs.
Latigo: Both a type of leather and the strap on the left side of a western saddle, used to

secure the cinch.
Lay of a rope: Refers to the direction of twist in a rope. Most are of right-handed
(clockwise) lay.

Manty: The Spanish term for blanket, refers to a tarp in which a load can be assembled for
a pack horse, and also refers to the completed pack. As a verb, to manty means to
build such a load.
Manty rope: A light rope, normally three-eighths inch, used to secure a manty (bundle)

within its tarp.
McClellan saddle: The standard saddle of the US Army from the Civil War through World
War II; the seat is relatively deep, the pommel lacks a saddle horn, and the cantle has

holes through which sling ropes can be threaded. Replica McClellan saddles are still
popular, and they double well as packsaddles.
Natural fiber rope: Rope made of cotton, hemp, manila, flax, or other naturally grown
organic fibers.

Neck rein: Technique of riding in horses properly trained for the trail that allows riding with
just one hand, the reins gently moved in the direction the rider wishes the horse to turn,
the horse responding by turning correctly, cued only by the feel of the reins against his

neck.
Packer’s scale: Usually a spring-type scale with a top handle and hook below, set up to
stick at the maximum point of stress so the packer can weigh a manty or pannier, then
read the weight before releasing the indicator.

Panniers: An old French word (Shakespeare used it) for bags or boxes secured on each
side of a packsaddle to carry cargo. Sometimes corrupted to “panyards.”