Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
-
01-19-2009 9:04 AM
|
|
-
Anne W
  - Joined on 06-14-2008
- Foal
|
Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
This morning my husband and I discovered that our 3 horses were loose. One of the horses had gotten loose a couple of weeks ago and I thought maybe he had jumped the fence, but now I know they have found a spot and thank goodness we were able to secure the main fence until we can find it. But, that's not my real point.
We purchased two of those swivel head lead ropes from Clinton Anderson. Don't get me wrong, we have purchased a number of things through his company and have been very satisfied. However, I am finding that there is a problem with the lead rope. I used it on the one horse I mentioned above a couple of weeks ago and just as I started leading him, the swivel opened up and the lead rope dropped off! When I tried putting it back on, it just rotated all the way around and dropped off again. I had used it for a couple of years, but not during the winter and thought maybe because it had been in the cold barn it was partially frozen.
When the horses got out this morning, I grabbed the same rope because it was handy and the first thing I did was check to make sure the swivel head snapped into place and stayed. Seemed fine. It lasted a little bit longer this time, but just as we were heading through the gate, the rope dropped off and my horse was loose. Fortunately, we had an old-fashioned snap on the lead of the other horse, but because we had left one horse loose to follow, we now had two horses running around loose! What fun, especially when they started heading towards the road!!
I'm happy to report that everyone is now back in the fence and happily munching hay. But, I'm wondering if anyone else has had problems with this particular style of lead. I have contacted the company to ask about this problem, particularly since I noticed they have changed the design of the swivel snap. I have to guess this has happened before. The other problem I ran into was if the swivel got sand in it when I was working in the round pen, it would cause the swivel to freeze up. I eventually got it cleared out, but was always careful not to get it in the sand.
Kind of frustrating!
Anne
|
|
-
-
-
-
txspots
  - Joined on 06-25-2008
- Central TX
- Grand Champion
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
 didn't mean to butt in Anne, but was just looking at his site to see what you were talking about, I'm not familiar with them either. he says these snaps are on all their lead ropes now, but it will be so long before I buy another lead rope, they'll have changed them again by then!
. . .and ride that pony fast
like a cowboy from the past
be young and wild and free
like Texas in 1880. . .
|
|
-
-
Solaris
  - Joined on 07-03-2006
- Durham, NC
- Forum Hall of Fame
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Oh, that is a new one. Never seen that before. What I see is a ring to get your finger caught in and wrenched when a horse tosses its head or pulls! I can't say I'm a fan of the design, I see what you mean that it could fall off. Perhaps the springs (I'm assuming the pin is spring loaded?) get jammed with dirt or rust?
 Solaris -- 16 hh Appendix Quarter Horse = MY DREAM COME TRUE! Wander With Wild ThingsWe Are Flying Solo
|
|
-
-
flakemusic
 - Joined on 06-30-2007
- Chicago
- Grand Champion
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Just curious, what is the advertised benefit of this snap? It doesn't look safe or practical to me.
http://alittlefaith16.wordpress.com/ 
|
|
-
-
Anne W
- Joined on 06-14-2008
- Foal
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Sorry, I cannot figure out how to add a photo!!! However, I did add it in Photos, under Anne W
I've taken a picture of the clip in the open position. I'm hoping you can see how it works. It is hinged at the top and the arm on the one side inserts into the sleeve. The sleeve is then rotated and supposedly locks into place. All you do is rotate it in opposite directions to open and close it.
What is happening to both clips is they are no longer locking (at least when they are cold). I thought I had the one locked into place this morning, but apparently not. The picture is of a different lead and it is doing the same thing (it was hanging in our cold barn). When I inserted the arm and rotated the cuff it didn't lock, but just continued right around and when it's hanging from the halter, the weight from the lead rope causes the clip to open as soon as it gets to the position where it was inserted. Hope this makes sense!
If it weren't for that, it's a really nice, heavy duty clip/snap. But, it's really dangerous because it seems to be working and as you are leading a horse, the lead rope simply drops off and there goes your horse!!
|
|
-
-
-
Anne W
- Joined on 06-14-2008
- Foal
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Please tell me how to insert an image. I put a picture on Photos under Anne W, but cannot figure out how to add it to my posts. Thanks!!
|
|
-
-
Anne W
- Joined on 06-14-2008
- Foal
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
I agree. I don't like that little ring. I think someone else said something about getting your finger caught in it. I've posted a picture under photos of the old style. I actually talked to Customer Service and said Clinton must have run into problems with the one I currently have, too. But, I was told that he just found something he liked better.
I'm sorry, I really like Clinton Anderson, but I cannot believe that one. When I got it he advertised it heavily, saying how safe it was, etc. When it works, it's very nice. But the fact that it gives no indication that it's not going to work makes it really dangerous, I think. At least with an old fashion snap, you know when the spring is broken.
Also, since I didn't talk to Clinton Anderson directly I cannot necessarily blame him for my experience with Customer Service. I'm irked because my husband and I have spent A LOT of money on his videos and training gear. Mostly we've been very happy with his products, but when I have two of the same product failing to work properly, something is wrong with the design. I would think that they would ask me to return the faulty clips and then send me replacements. I keep thinking that if this had happened at a show or anyplace where there was a lot of activity it could have been worse.
|
|
-
-
amberp11703
  - Joined on 03-21-2006
- South Texas
- Forum Hall of Fame
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
 txspots:
didn't mean to butt in Anne, but was just looking at his site to see what you were talking about, I'm not familiar with them either. he says these snaps are on all their lead ropes now, but it will be so long before I buy another lead rope, they'll have changed them again by then!
The snap she is talking about looks like this
I had trouble with mine too. I loved it but like you mine kept getting sand in it. I never had it snap open it just got to be to much trouble.
I ride high in the saddle, always saddle my own horse still I'm every inch a lady from the outside to the core I take the trail less traveled `cause I know where it leads I live my life by the cowgirl creed  As for me and my horse, we will ride for the Lord!
|
|
-
-
nikelodeon79
  - Joined on 10-30-2008
- South Range, Wisconsin
- Ground Training
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Anne W: What is happening to both clips is they are no longer locking (at least when they are cold)
This might be the key... perhaps Clinton didn't have problems with the lead because he doesn't regularly use it in the cold?
Personally, I'm not a fan of either design, and will stick with the "old fashioned" leads.
|
|
-
-
txspots
- Joined on 06-25-2008
- Central TX
- Grand Champion
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
nikelodeon79:
This might be the key... perhaps Clinton didn't have problems with the lead because he doesn't regularly use it in the cold?
Good point Nik, although he just recently moved to Stephenville, TX from I think it was Ohio? Not sure but would think it got pretty cold there - ? Anyways, no worries about me buying any either, I'm set on leads for a while and even then won't be spending that kind of money on one!
. . .and ride that pony fast
like a cowboy from the past
be young and wild and free
like Texas in 1880. . .
|
|
-
|
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
Are you talking about this twist snap? It's a great snap, but once the
spring in it wears out, it's pretty much toast :( Sounds like that's
what's happened with your snap. We sell a ton of these snaps. But have had a few that broke right off the bat. Since we don't hard splice these snaps on, it's easy to send a replacement snap. Honestly, I prefer the simplicity of the swivel snap (aka bolt snap) shown below. I can't think of a time that we've ever had a complaint about that snap, and it's less expensive :)
Is your snap hard spliced onto your lead (no way to change it), or does it look like this? If it looks like this, it's easy to change out the hardware. If not, you're kind of stuck :( Although you could have someone splice a loop in your lead (as shown to your left), but that'd make your lead about two feet shorter.
|
|
-
-
txspots
- Joined on 06-25-2008
- Central TX
- Grand Champion
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
and it's so easy to work with one hand!
. . .and ride that pony fast
like a cowboy from the past
be young and wild and free
like Texas in 1880. . .
|
|
-
|
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
That's for sure! The swivel snap may not be 'fancy', but sure is a sturdy snap :)
|
|
-
-
Anne W
- Joined on 06-14-2008
- Foal
|
Re: Problem with swivel clip on lead rope
I think I'm confused. I probably called it a "swivel" snap because I was referring to the collar that you swivel in order to open and close the hinged head. Anyway, I think the snap that was shown in one of the images is much better and will probably replace the ones that don't work with that. I just want Customer Service to be up front with me. I cannot imagine that I'm the only one who had problems with that "collar" design.
|
|
|
