Under
used
in today’s
world
of horse
training,
the hackamore
can be
a key
tool
used
to put
a great
handle
on a
young
horse.
Most
people
don’t
realize
that
a hackamore
is used
after
the young
horse
has been
broke
well
in a
snaffle
bit.
According
to tradition,
a young
horse
should
be started
in a
ring
snaffle,
taught
to give
to pressure,
flex
well
and be
able
to stop,
then
put into
a bosal
as his
bridle
teeth
come
in.
Three
pieces make
up the
hackamore.
The rawhide
braided
nosepiece
is called
the bosal.
The leather
headstrap
is called
the hanger and the
rein
tied
to the
bosal
is the
mecate.
The complete
set assembled
is referred
to as
the hackamore.
The bosal
is available
in either
an 8
plait
rawhide
braid
or a
16 plait
braid.
The more
plaits
or strands
of rawhide
a bosal
is braided
with,
the smoother
the bosal
is. It
is also
important
that
a bosal
have
a rawhide
core,
not a
cable
or rope.
This
allows
the bosal
to be
shaped
to fit
the horse’s
face
by getting
it wet,
shaping
it and
letting
it set.
Choosing
between
an 8
plait
or 16
plait
comes
down
to how
much
money
you wish
to spend.
Both
the 8
and the
16 available
from
us are
exceptionally
smooth
(won’t
rub the
face)
and are
extremely
high
quality.
The bosal
comes
in either
a 3/8″ or
5/8″ diameter.
The thicker
the bosal,
the less
harsh
it is.
The 5/8″″bosal
would
be the
first
one used
and then
as the
horse
develops
a great
handle,
the 3/8″ can
be used
as less
pulling
is required.
Each
bosal
comes
with
a basic
latigo
leather
hanger.
Most
any headstall
can be
used
to create
a hanger
of your
preference.
Mecates
are available
in 3/8″,
1/2″,
9/16″ and
5/8″ sizes.
It is
important
to use
a 3/8″ or
1/2″ mecate
on the
3/8″ bosal
and 1/2″ to
5/8″ mecates
on the
5/8″ bosals.
Our mecates
are made
from
braided
100%
horse
mane
hair,
braided
parachute
cord,
treeline
braided
rope
or braided
nylon.
Most
of the
time,
a mecate
is chosen
because
of the
feel
that
the rider
prefers.
Traditionally,
mane
hair
mecates
have
been
used
because
the prickly
horse
hair
ends
create
more
feel
on the
horse’s
neck
which
is beneficial
when
teaching
the young
horse
to neck
rein.
The braided
parachute
cord
mecate
is considered
the ultimate
by many
trainers
today.
