The Bosal

Developing contact: the theory and practical use of bits, part 3

by Alice Trindle

I hope you have had a chance to spend some quality time thinking about developing contact with your horse, both physically and emotionally. Over the course of the past two articles, it has become clear that in order to achieve this key component in developing our relationship with our horses, we must return to the basics. This critical foundation includes a willing attitude, combined with freedom of movement, adhering to rhythm and balance in both the horse and the rider. So as we progress this month in talking about the use of the bosal in developing a “feel” or finding contact, it becomes even more important that you go back to review the basics, give yourself and the horse time, and become re-committed to truly studying the art form of horsemanship.

I remind us all of these requirements: be observant, be consistent, and develop clarity in what, why, and how we are asking our horses to perform. All of these are prerequisites if you desire to bring your horse along in the bosal. The instrument I am referring to is the Californio-style leather or rawhide bosal, used by hackamore (jaquima) reinsmen. It has a marvelous history that goes back to the Moors, the Spanish Doma Vaquera, the Mexican vaquero, and now to a handful of aspiring horsemen who study the traditions of the use of the hackamore. Please, in no way see in your mind’s eye any number of bitless bridle set-ups, such as the mechanical hackamore, that operate on leverage, pinching, fear, and intimidation.

Craftsmanship and Care

The bosal is typically made by a craftsman who uses either rawhide or latigo leather braided over a core of metal, rope, or in many cases, rawhide. The core is an important component, allowing the bosal to shape around the nose of the horse while retaining a soft, forgiving nature. Proper storage of the bosal includes taking your mecate (the rein portion) off the bosal after each use and storing it in a place away from hungry dogs or gnawing mice.

The diameter of the bosal will range from 5/8-inch down to the pencil-thin bosalita for the finished bridle horse. The “plats” are the number of rawhide strips used in an intricate braided pattern worked over the core. In a fine bosal, the mark of a true craftsman is indicated in the number of plats. Most working bosals will have 16 plys in the nose portion, and perhaps a few less on the side; at times the edges will be beveled to create a nice, smooth surface against the horse’s face. Usually the bosal is attached to the head by a simple hanger, with perhaps a shoestring leather throat-latch to keep the hanger away from the eyes. At times there is a fiador attached for this purpose, and also attached to the heel knot on the bosal. In most cases, except when using a really heavy bosal, the fiador is not needed with a properly fitting bosal and educated hands.

The last piece of the hackamore picture is the mecate. Traditionally, the mecate is about 22 to 24 feet long and made of horsehair or mohair. This length allows the aspiring horseman to adjust the fit of the bosal and still have the loop rein portion and a handy “get-down” strap with which to lead or ground school the horse. The diameter will vary as you bring your horse along, but should never exceed the size of the bosal.

Getting Started

The final question many people have regarding developing a hackamore horse—beyond the how, when and why—is “How much will it cost?” A quality bosal will probably start at around $170, and a nice mane-hair mecate will easily be $80. As you can see, to acquire several diameter bosals and mecates to accommodate your progression can get quite expensive. You may want to find someone to share the burden, or perhaps borrow (and treat carefully, on threat of life and limb!) from another aspiring horseman. You can learn how to tie and fit the hackamore by taking a clinic or watching videos (see recommendations below).

If at this point you are still interested in pursuing the development of a true hackamore horse—one that softly carries himself with lateral and longitudinal suppleness—then let’s talk about how to develop that softness into contact.

Proper Use

Generally speaking, if your horse is soft and giving to the horseman’s halter, then he may be a good candidate for the bosal. Keep in mind that the bosal is not a leverage device, and if you end up making the jaw bones or nose sore, then your bosal is not properly fitted and your hands are not working in an educated manner.

The bosal works primarily on these pressure points:

1) The nose button that asks the horse to give at his poll, balance with his neck muscles, and carry himself over the topline from the hindquarters up through the shoulders and neck, back to a softness in the rider’s hands;

2) The two buttons on either side of the face that ask the horse to give laterally through his ribcage and follow the focus of the rider.

To ask for longitudinal softness and prepare the horse to accomplish a job, the contact is made first by taking a breath, picturing and focusing in your mind’s eye (which prepares the human’s posture), and a slight shortening and “feel” on the loop reins. If, at this point, the horse has missed the signals to prepare his body, then apply a slight bump on the nose button until he finds a more vertical face and arranges his body to be able to move. As with developing contact while using the snaffle bit, what is most important is what happens before the desired reaction. This is what truly prepares the horse and rider team for this all-important connection.

The first few times you ask for this contact with movement, you may only want to ask the horse to carry this posture for a few steps and then release the aids. As you progress, this picture will be the preparatory signal for everything you are going to ask of the horse.

The traditions of the true hackamore reinsmen and women are ancient and honorable. As with any worthwhile journey, it takes time, patience, understanding and study to achieve the beautiful picture of a light hackamore horse. The concept of developing contact is as apropos to the use of bosal as it is to the use of the snaffle, and eventually to the double bridle or two-rein or straight-up in the bridle picture. Contact is the connection between horse and rider that occurs before what happens actually happens. It creates self-carriage, self-confidence, and ultimately, lightness. What a marvelous picture!

References and Resources:

Reinsman of the West & Hackamore Reinsman by Ed Connell

Understanding the Hackamore (video) by Mike Bridges

Making of a Bridle Horse (video series) by Buck Brannaman

The Hackamore with Martin Black (video)

www.eclectic-horseman.com (Articles & mercantile)

www.houlihanhorsegear.com (Merchandise for the vaquero traditions)

Developing a Bridle Horse (Clinic series with Alice Trindle in Haines, OR)

www.gomersallsaddlery.com (Saddlemaker and quality vaquero-type tack)