Traditional California hackamore with twisted hair macate (reins)
Hackamore (bosal) Training.
Training a horse using a traditional, braided rawhide hackamore is something many horsemen would like to be able to do but few know how.
It’s pretty much become a lost art.
When done the right way, a horse that’s been trained in the hackamore (bosal) will be one of the lightest, most responsive horses you’ll ever ride.
That’s because, when using a hackamore, you really can’t force a horse to perform. He must be taught.
Teaching form and style with the hackamore
Strong-arm tactics you can get away with when using a bit, just won’t work with a hackamore.
Because of this, hackamore training usually produces a horse that is more confident, supple, light and responsive.
In this series of videos, I demonstrate techniques to get your horse “finger tip” light and responsive. Master these simple techniques and you’ll be amazed at what you can get your horse to do.
Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn…
How to tell the difference between a good hackamore and a bad hackamore. (It’s critical you use only a good one)
What size hackamore you need and how to adjust it correctly to fit your horse’s head. (Pay attention, there’s more than one adjustment)
How to tie the macate (hair rope reins) to the hackamore. (There’s more than one way but I’ll show you the most important factor)
How to use your hands and legs to get your horse light and responding to the hackamore.
How to teach your horse to flex at the poll and drop his nose off the hackamore.
How to teach your horse to move off rein and leg pressure.
The importance of correct body position when loping circles… and how to get it.
How to teach your horse to stop with just a light touch of the rein. (I’m not exaggerating here. I’m talking about a touch, a slack and then a slide)
How to teach your horse to spin using the hackamore.
The #1 mistake horses make when learning to spin.
You’ll learn all this and more.
The important thing to realize about this instruction, is that it gives you an alternative training technique.
If you’ve been having problems teaching your horse to be light and responsive, maybe it’s time to change things up.
The hackamore just might be the ticket.
2-year old filly stopping in the hackamore
A note for serious horsemen only:
When I first came to California in the mid 1970’s, the most beautiful stops I’d ever seen in my life were performed by horses that were trained in the hackamore.
If you are dead serious about getting good at this, I strongly recommend you read the book “Hackamore Reinsman” by Ed Connell.
This 94 page book was written back in the 1940’s. It’s strictly a manual of instruction so it’s pretty tedious to read. There are no pretty photographs to look at, no humorous stories and no mention of glory in the show arena.
However, there is PROFOUND knowledge hidden in it’s pages.
If you’ll force yourself to read it at least 10 times (I read it 30), you’ll gain an understanding of hackamore training few people have.
Combine what you learn in the videos along with the Hackamore Reinsman book and you’ll know how to train superior handling horses.
The book is available through tack stores but I think it best to purchase it directly from Ed Connell’s daughter, Leslee.
2-year old filly learning to spin in the hackamore
On her website are a bunch of old photos of Ed Connell mounted on hackamore horses on the ranch back in the 1930’s. Very interesting stories about her dad and how he wrote the book too.
Here’s the link to Leslee’s website: http://hackamore-reinsman.com
P.S.
Be aware, there are lots of hackamores and macates on the market that are NOT any good. Don’t buy unless you can tell the difference between the good and the bad.
If you are unsure, send me an email and I’ll try to steer you in the right direction.
Take care,
Larry Trocha
