Mecate Rope Makers

Producer: Ed Jahn Camera/Editor: Todd Sonflieth

At 98 years old, Frankie Dougal carries on a ranch tradition of horse-hair “mecate” ropemaking, a skill she’s passing on to the next generation in the southeast Oregon town of Jordan Valley.

Dougal has lived her whole life without modern conveniences — like electricity — but what she does have is her horses. Along with running her 3,200 acre ranch, Dougal uses hair from her own horses to make “mecate” steering reins.

And did we mention she is 98?