NIGHT LATCHES or GRAB STRAPS
Western Night Latch in Tan with Birch braiding
Some people call it a Night Latch, others refer to it as a Grab Strap. (I've also heard them called Holy Crap Handles!) Ever heard of one? Do you need one?
Well, I can't answer the question as to whether you Need one or not but this is one of those things that it sure doesn't hurt to have on your saddle. Kind of like a spare tire for your car, it's nice to have it when you need it!
From my research, the Night Latch came about by the riders who would watch over cattle at night. The rider would wrap his hand in the Night Latch so that if he fell asleep it would help prevent him from falling off his horse.
Now, I doubt you'd need it for it's original purpose if you're a recreational rider but what you DO need it for is to give you something to grab if you get in an uncomfortable situation while riding.
Can also be used to carry your saddle. I heard from a customer the other day that said she uses the Night Latch all the time to carry her saddle. Says it works perfectly and makes the saddle much easier to carry! Great idea!!
The WESTERN version: The saddle horn on a western saddle can be a bit tough to hang on to if your horse starts hopping around unexpectedly. The Western Night Latch goes through the gullet of your western saddle and is there when you need it!
The ENGLISH version: Attaches to the rings at the front of your English saddle and offers a good, strong grip when you need a little something extra to hang on to. I refer to it as the English version for easy reference but it can also be used on any saddle that has rings that it can be attached to at the front of the saddle (Dressage and Endurance saddles for example).
Details of the Western version (shown above):
- 20" total length as shown above.
- The Western version is made of 1/4" stiff rope with the braided area in the V pattern for extra grip.
- Choose one of the 1/4" stiff rope colours for the main part, shown in tan in the picture above.
- Choose one or two colours for the braiding. Shown in "Birtch" in the picture above.
- See the "How to Attach Your Night Latch" below for pictures of how to attach it to your saddle.
- See the "Colour & Rope Selection" page for colour choices.
Click on pictures for larger image.
Details of the English version (shown below):
- 15" total length as shown below.
- The English version is made of 1/4" soft rope with the braided area in the Round Braid pattern for extra grip.
- Choose one of the 1/4" soft rope colours for the base part, shown in brown in the picture below.
- Choose from one to four colours for the braiding.
- See the "Colour & Rope Selection" page for colour choices.
Click on pictures for larger image.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the custom nature of these Night Latches, there is no return/refund offered. Please make sure the length will be sufficient for your saddle. If you need a longer or shorter length, let us know and we will adjust it to your measurements.
Well, I can't answer the question as to whether you Need one or not but this is one of those things that it sure doesn't hurt to have on your saddle. Kind of like a spare tire for your car, it's nice to have it when you need it!
From my research, the Night Latch came about by the riders who would watch over cattle at night. The rider would wrap his hand in the Night Latch so that if he fell asleep it would help prevent him from falling off his horse.
Now, I doubt you'd need it for it's original purpose if you're a recreational rider but what you DO need it for is to give you something to grab if you get in an uncomfortable situation while riding.
Can also be used to carry your saddle. I heard from a customer the other day that said she uses the Night Latch all the time to carry her saddle. Says it works perfectly and makes the saddle much easier to carry! Great idea!!
The WESTERN version: The saddle horn on a western saddle can be a bit tough to hang on to if your horse starts hopping around unexpectedly. The Western Night Latch goes through the gullet of your western saddle and is there when you need it!
The ENGLISH version: Attaches to the rings at the front of your English saddle and offers a good, strong grip when you need a little something extra to hang on to. I refer to it as the English version for easy reference but it can also be used on any saddle that has rings that it can be attached to at the front of the saddle (Dressage and Endurance saddles for example).
Details of the Western version (shown above):
- 20" total length as shown above.
- The Western version is made of 1/4" stiff rope with the braided area in the V pattern for extra grip.
- Choose one of the 1/4" stiff rope colours for the main part, shown in tan in the picture above.
- Choose one or two colours for the braiding. Shown in "Birtch" in the picture above.
- See the "How to Attach Your Night Latch" below for pictures of how to attach it to your saddle.
- See the "Colour & Rope Selection" page for colour choices.
Click on pictures for larger image.
Details of the English version (shown below):
- 15" total length as shown below.
- The English version is made of 1/4" soft rope with the braided area in the Round Braid pattern for extra grip.
- Choose one of the 1/4" soft rope colours for the base part, shown in brown in the picture below.
- Choose from one to four colours for the braiding.
- See the "Colour & Rope Selection" page for colour choices.
Click on pictures for larger image.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the custom nature of these Night Latches, there is no return/refund offered. Please make sure the length will be sufficient for your saddle. If you need a longer or shorter length, let us know and we will adjust it to your measurements.
English Night Latch in Brown with braiding in Brown, Tan, Copper, Black.
$28.00 each CDN
In Canada, there is nothing to add to the price except shipping to get the product to you.
See the "Shipping & Payment Info" link at left for more information.
In Canada, there is nothing to add to the price except shipping to get the product to you.
See the "Shipping & Payment Info" link at left for more information.
How to attach the Night Latch to your saddle
The WESTERN version
WESTERN: Slide the small button down to open the Night Latch. Feed the end through the gullet of your saddle.
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WESTERN: Slip the loop end over the knot end and slide the button up to lock it into place.
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Here is the Western Night Latch on a western saddle. It is big enough that it can go up and over the saddle horn of this saddle so it can be used from either side without having to undo and reposition it.
The ENGLISH version
ENGLISH: Here is how the ends of the English Night latch will come when you receive it.
ENGLISH: STEP 2: Here you can see a better view of the knot that was loosened in step 1 (forming the loop as seen in the picture). While holding the loop with one hand (pinch the knot of the loop between your thumb and finger so it doesn't go closed), slip the end out of the loop with the other hand and feed it through the metal ring on the front of your saddle. (You may need to undo the small knot on the end if the knot is too big to go through the rings of your saddle.)
ENGLISH: STEP 4: Tighten the loop around the end. Repeat with the other end. If you had to undo the little knot on the end, do it up again now to keep the end from pulling through.
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ENGLISH: STEP 1: Push the two rope pieces together to loosen the knot. This will make more sense when you can actually see it and have it in your hands.
ENGLISH: STEP 3: Once the end is fed through the metal ring on your saddle, slip the end back into the loop as shown above. (The ring of your saddle should be in the loop as shown at the top of the above picture.)
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English version of the Night Latch attached to an english saddle. A big "Thanks!" goes to Lexie for letting me use her saddle! :o)
English Night Latch in Brown/Tan with braiding done in Gecko, Chocolate Brown, and Forest Green.
English Night Latch in Black with braiding in Purple and Turquoise.
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Western Night Latch in Tan with Black braiding
Western Night Latch in Black with Black/White braiding
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ROPE HORSE TACK
email: ropehorsetack@yahoo.ca
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RopeHorseTack
ROPE HORSE TACK
email: ropehorsetack@yahoo.ca
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RopeHorseTack
