The first time I saw a ladder rosary I was intrigued with its beauty and how different the rosary looked from a typical rosary.   Upon closer examination though, you will see they are no different than other rosaries except for how a ladder rosary is made. They still have 59 beads (53 Aves and 6 Paters) but it is the manner in which the rosary is assembled that makes it so different.  Ladder rosaries are put together with the beads strung sideways on links of chain rather than linked one bead to another with eyepins like a usual rosary would be.  This method of placing each bead on the chain rather that one bead linked to the next bead results in a much stronger rosary.  Thus, it is extremely rare to ever have a ladder rosary bead come loose or even apart.  The sideways placement of the beads is why the rosary is referred to as a ladder- because it looks just like a ladder. I think that it's actually much easier to pray with a ladder rosary vs. a traditional one because the beads easily glide between your index finger and thumb. 

There are many stories associated with where ladder rosaries came from.  One such story is that they originated in Mexico.  In fact, ladder rosaries are often referred to as "Old Mexico" rosaries because they typically were made this way in Mexico according to some stories I've read.  Others trace the first ladder rosary to the vision of St. Dominic's vision in which he saw souls climbing their way to Heaven on the rosary.  Still another story refers to St. Francis de Sales seeing two ladders going to Heaven~ one to Jesus  which was very steep and one much easier to climb which lead to Our Blessed Mother Mary.  The story of Jacob's Ladder can be found in the book of Genesis 28:12-17.  And, did you know that in Michaelangelo's painting of the Last Judgement, a soul can be seen being pulled into Heaven out of Purgatory by a rosary?

Where to Buy Ladder Rosaries on eBay