One for the Books/sponges

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

> Use a SHORT biothane sponge strap, say about six inches.  Teddy >
sellsthese, I know.  Pick up one of the small (smallest >you can find)>
retractable dog leashes.  Attach the end of the leash directly to > the>
sponge.  

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Jim! How could you?  Here I am available to teach
you to be a *real* sponger and you're playing with this sort of silly
toy?  I know what it is...it's the male thing.  You'd put a motor on the
thing if you could right?

O.K. people. I'll give the directions *again*.  Competition slinging
sponge:  Take a big hourglass shaped car washing sponge.  If you want it
really good from the start either use one that you've already been using
as a loose sponge for awhile (they really do get broke in better from
use) or just go cram it down in some pond mud & such to sort of break it
in.  Then, get a cross between cotton rope/string.  Lighter than
clothesline rope.  I much prefer cotton over nylon. Put a loop in it big
enough for your wrist, but snug enough that you have to make your hand
pretty small to get it on.  You'll have to work on the ideal length. I'm
short and ride a 14.2 horse. My ideal length is at about from my shoulder
level to the ground...but I still have to sight a new sponge in.  Tie the
other end around the middle of the sponge and pull it in tight.  Now,
here's something important.  Lots of people want to attach to the saddle
with a swivel snap.  Trouble is that thing will spin as you ride and
tangle in your string.  If you have to slow down to sponge, you won't do
it.  Personally, I don't use a snap, I take the velcro off an old polo
wrap and sew it around the middle of the sponge, then loop it through my
breastcollar ring and back to the sponge.  It doesn't swivel and when I'm
sponging I don't have to worry about the snap scraping his neck. It is
not easy to reattach, but that's OK cause I very seldom do.  I haven't
been able to find any bought velcro that will hold a sponge on, so every
tie I start a new one a polo wrap must die.

 To sponge correctly on the fly you never put the sponge completely away.
You put on your wrist loop, and carry that sponge in your hand ready to
throw.  If you know it's going to be dry for awhile, just stuff it under
the front of your saddle.  I've yet to see anyone sponge on the fly with
a biothane strap. You can't adjust the length and if it's not set just
right the sponge doesn't fly back to your hand when you snap your
wrist...but granted, they are good for one thing....adding more of your
"official" color to your outfit.  

P.S. The snap in the belly thing was bizarre!

Angie

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