Best long line?
 

I need to buy a new long line that's more 'secure' for the future. I don't want it getting slippery when wet, and it has to be whatever size you'd use for IPO. I have one I got from Petsmart, but it's not very wide, and I'm afraid it's not going to be very durable for the long haul. I know I need to get gloves, as I had some burns from the long line today. Mostly I'm worried about it holding up, yet not turning slick when wet. Any suggestions? What do you use and where did you get it from?

Thanks!

I'd get a 20' nylon with a good clip, no handle or cut off the handle, tie some knots in it for gripping(6' as the first one) and wear some good gloves. That should be fairly cheap and long lasting. You could probably get one at TSC(horse dept)
I've used my cotton ones for a couple years with no problems, but nylon is stronger. Also cotton gets saturated quickly, where nylon doesn't absorb.
One thing to remember when line handling is WHERE the line is when you let go, make sure it is never around your feet. I've had my leather one tie around my ankle and Karlo dragged me to the helper. They burn too if they whip around your legs. Luckily, that one hasn't happened to me(yet)

I use a crappy petsmart one with knots tied every foot for protection and a tubular nylon 33ft one for tracking. A horse lunge line works really well.

any sporting goods store that caters to climbers/kayakers etc? they sell climbing line by the foot and you can knot a snap onto it ...find the line you like....I like the climbing nylon a lot better than the lunge lines sold for horses - I hate those because of burns! Always used cotton lunge lines for the horses...

My favorite long line is a braided latigo line that I had made by an amish harness shop - but those take forever get made...and I use beeta lines, get them custom made to order from anohter amishman, who does them quick...but they can get slippery in the rain too....

Lee

Lee

It's funny you should say that... I was warned about that by a couple guys earlier today. One actually had that experience...going horizontal in the air...and it sounded painful! :shocked: I actually *did* start to get a foot tangle going, but noticed it fairly quick and thankfully he's not to the point of sending him or I'd have been flat on my back. :blush: Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

I would almost assume Grim will be put on a pole for your next sessions or someone will line handle while you stay close to him? If you are physically challenged to hold him it would be safest for the helper/Grim and you. Especially as he gains power thru his confidence.

I like the 1" tubular nylon lines (probably can be found where Lee is suggesting). They are not round, but flat and fairly soft and easy on my hands. 15 and 30' for protection (15' can also be used in tracking training and obedience).

I HATE knots in my lines. I guess they make it easier for people to hold the line, but they tend to catch on everything especially once you start to run blinds. I am arthritic in my hands and still won't knot a line. I learned to handle a line from Brian so he will teach you.

have known of people that break legs, ankles from long line accidents...wearing shorts, one lady I trained with got a rope burn so bad that it ended her up in a hospital for a couple of days - lots of dirt embedded in that nylon after a while! I would never train in shorts and always wear heavy socks - even in summer....they wick and so are not uncomfortable...

the beeta is less likely to wind up around your ankle as it does not bunch the same way as horse lunge line nylon does...

Lee

Jag, you might check out this site. The dude is AWESOME. I have two--a 15' and a 20'. I wanted a shorter, lighter one before we went on vacation last summer and remembered on a Wednesday. We were leaving Saturday. I emailed him and guess what showed up Fed-Ex Friday afternoon? Amazing.

index

They're biothane. They can get drug through any kind of mud, sand, wet brush...they're kind of like a suede-type feel. That's not exactly it, but they're super nice and you can get them in different weights and widths and colors. I like the 1/2" myself, and I have a lighter weight one and a mid-weight one. I usually reach for the lighter one, but they're both hardly heavy at all. Super sturdy.

If Grim wasn't stuck so far up a certain part of my anatomy, I'd be more concerned. Also, I wrap the line in such a way that even with a fall me losing the line is impossible. I still had the line when I fell... no danger to anyone. Brian's a smart guy, though! When I went down he stopped all movement and didn't take a single step towards me. The guarding thing when I fall (this is twice now), he's NOT playing around with. It would take an act of Congress to get Grim away from me when when I fall. ;)