The mecate keeper is a 9" long, ½" wide leather loop, attached with a heavy-duty brass snap. This handy piece of equipment allows you to ride with your 12' rope or mecate, in the event you need to use it. They are stamped with the  Equine Connections logo, and it attaches to the front d-rings of any saddle so that your rope stays out of your way by  chain-braiding it through the mecate keeper. In the event that your rope becomes tangled with a tree branch, the snap  will release; Avoiding unnecessary disasters. The mecate keeper is sold with illustrated instructions for it’s use.