Mecate, Bosal, Hackamore Vaquero Tack

 Vaquero Horse Tack, Mecate, Bosal and Hackamore

The Mecate is the rein portion of the horse tack, called the Hackamore. The Hackamore is a type of headgear for horse training. The unique part of the Hackamore is that it does not have a bit. It uses a braided noseband called a Bosal. The Bosal is a special type of noseband that works on pressure points on the horse's face, nose, and chin. The Mecate is a rope made from horse hair or soft feeling rope that serves as reins and lead rope.

The types of Hackamores include the Bosal and side pull. The Bosal Hackamore uses the Vaqueros tradition of the braided noseband and the Mecate rope.

 100% Alpaca Mecate

$100

The Mecate is tied to the Bosal in a specialized manner that adjusts the fit of the Bosal around the muzzle of the horse and creates both a looped rein and a long free end that can be used for a number of purposes.  

For the mounted rider, the free end is coiled and attached to the saddle or tucked under your belt. When the rider dismounts, the lead rein is not used to tie the horse to a solid object but used as a lead rope and a form of lunge line when needed.

 AAA Bosalitos Vaquero Style

 $249

The traditional Mecate used by the California Vaqueros was made from the long hair of a horse's tail and was hand braided. Modern Mecates are made with horse hair and synthetic rope with a horse hair tassel at one end and a leather popper at the other end.

A properly tied Mecate knot (please view the how to video here) allows wraps of rope to be added to the knot in front of the rein loop in order to tighten the Bosal noseband on a horse or the rope can be unwrapped to loosen the Bosal.

 Black Beauty Concha Hackamore

$259

 Cadillac Hackamore Set with Fiador and Mecate

$395

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable 
Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
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Horse Tack Influenced by the Vaquero Horsemanship

Vaquero’s, which in Spanish means, “Cowboys”, were Spanish horseman. Their style of horsemanship, gear and training has had an influence on the “Traditional American Cowboy”. Their unique style spread from Europe all the way to the United States.

The Vaquero learned many of their horse skills from Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The European Knights and their war horses used many skills on the battlefield that can be seen today in both the reined working cow horse and dressage.

When the Spanish began to colonize the “America’s”, they used the skills found on the European Battlefields to train their horses.

The Vaquero’s Spanish style of training horses spread throughout California. Once in California the “California” Vaquero began to refine their methods of training horses and working cattle.

Because of the unique climate and culture in California the growing Vaquero tradition of training could take as long as needed. The mild climate allowed for the Vaquero’s training of a horse to take all the time that was needed. So, the California bridle horse evolved to a point where a top hand could ride his horse with just a light string attaching his rein chains to a bit.

The influence of the Vaquero spread from California to Texas. The Texas Cowboy, or what we think of today as the “Classic American Cowboy”, had a different style of training horses and working cattle. The different styles of both the Texas Cowboy and the Vaquero can still be seen today.

One example, is the that the Texas Cowboy prefers to tie their rope directly to the saddle horn by a loop on the tail end, while the Vaquero prefers to wrap his rope around the saddle horn.

The Texas Cowboy uses his horse to work cattle, while the Vaquero uses cattle to work his horses. These two unique styles have grown into two very different competitions.

The cutting horse has grown out of the Texas style which prefers the use of a horse that is bred to work a cow on its own once that horse has been trained.

The reined working cow horse has grown out of the Vaquero style, which came from the Vaquero tradition of training a horse that is also bred to work a cow but works entirely from the commands of the rider.

Even the buckaroo gear and vaquero gear is different. The Vaquero likes the silver spade bit with silver conchos on the bridle and a fancy set of braided rawhide rommel reins.

The Texas style is a grazer bit and simpler, but functional bridle with a plain set of leather split reins.

As with the ornate design of the Spanish style spurs and straps, 
the Spanish influence, through the California Vaquero, can be seen in not only the finesse of the reined working cow horse but in the ornate design of their bits, bridles and romel reins.

Buckaroo Leather Company has continued the Vaquero tradition with many unique styles of leather horse tack and vaquero gear.

AAA Bosalitos Vaquero style

These are Braided in the old Vaquero tradition with a forelock tie, some of the finest braiding we have ever seen. These are one of a kind, Designed to be used for a "get down rig" or for a 2 rein rig. The one on left has extra fine 16 plait cheeks with 32 plait nose and button. In browns and tans feels like Kangaroo. 

A Vaquero Snaffle Mecate Bridle set

Our Complete Vaquero Cowboy Mecate Snaffle Bridle Set includes our 3/4" Hermann Oak oiled Golden bridle Browband single buckle on the Poll Headstall with hand engraved silver conchas, a 5" iron ring snaffle bit and matching Slobber Strap with silver engraved conchas and a 23' yacht braid mecate with rawhide button and tassel

A Vaquero Single Buckle Headstall

 

 

This Hermann Oak Heavy Bridle Quality Leather Headstall is made in the old California Vaquero traditional styling. This is a Scallop cheek browband style Headstall made from Mid weight Oiled PREMIUM single-ply stitched Bridle leather. Accented with beautiful hand engraved conchas!

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand Visit Our Unique Store Today Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Californio Vaquero Hackamore Very Poplular Today

The “old west” style of Hackamores are very popular today!!

The traditional Hackamore used by the Californio Vaquero long ago had a beautiful braided rawhide Bosal and adorned with rawhide buttons. The Mecate rein was made from the long hair of the horse’s tail and was hand braided.....truly a work of art.

The influence of the Vaquero style is seen in our Hackamores today. They have a traditional braided rawhide Bosal and the Mecate reins are made with mane horse hair or mohair and are beautifully hand braided.

Today’s Hackamores not only have the Vaquero style, they have their timeless quality. The Vaquero used the braided rawhide Bosal and horse hair Mecate reins because the durability and quality was long lasting. The horse hair is strong but lightweight, better for training and working the horse then and now.

It is exciting to see the influence of the Californio Vaquero still around today.

A Black Beauty Concha Hackamore 

Complete Hackamore Set includes an all natural color beautifully   hand braided 12 plait 5/8" Vaquero style, All rawhide core (no cable core) natural rawhide bosal, natural with beautiful black accents

Price $259

Bosalitos Vaquero style

These are Braided in the old Vaquero tradition with a forelock tie, 

some of the finest braiding we have ever seen.

Price $249

Mane Hair Mecate

Beautiful Quality hand braided feel and communication. These mecates are the best we have found braided in the old California Vaquero Style.

Price $119

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable 
Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today 
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Romel Reins A Vaquero Tool Popular Today

Romel reins are very popular in the equine world just as they were in the old days of the vaquero. The Vaquero used the romel reins for their horse training. 

The 3 stages of the Vaquero horse training were…

The 1st stage - starts with a hackamore bitless braided rawhide headstall to teach the horse to yield to pressure. The reins were long hand braided horse hair mecates.

The 2nd stage - or "Two Rein" is where the Vaquero would use a thinner simpler version of the hackamore nose piece, the bosal. This bosal was lighter for this part of the stage. The mecate bridle had a spade bit and a braided rawhide romel rein. During this stage of the training the Vaquero would hold both sets of reins and the horse would be controlled with mostly the bosal and light on the bit. Then the Vaquero would transition to only using the bit and would then get rid of the bosal all together.

The 3rd stage- is called the "Straight upon the Bridle". The Vaquero handles the horse with just the spade bit. The Bit is connected with romel reins. The bosal and mecate are used under the bridle to lead the horse.

The Vaquero use to test their horses skills by tying a thread to the links section of the chain part of the romel reins. The Vaquero would then bring the horse to a stop with a “light” pull of the reins. If the thread broke - the Vaquero needed to pull to hard.

Today, Horseman and women use the Romel Reins in horse training but they are also realizing what a great all around riding style rein they are.

They are like a one piece or roping rein with a ring or tie connector with a romel connected and a popper on the end.

Buckaroo Leather offers many types of Romel Reins in different types of leather and rawhide.

We have great everyday styles of Romel Reins with supple harness leather like the Rounded Romel Rein

We also offer a classic Vaquero style Romel Rein with hand braided rawhide buttons for decoration available in assorted colors and designs

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable 
Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today  
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Horse Training by the Californio Vaquero's

The Californio Vaquero's prided themselves on their horsemanship and horse tack. They took great care too hand braid their horse hair mecates and romel reins. The Vaquero’s hand braiding techniques are still used today. 

The rawhide bosals, riatas and quirts, headstalls, and hackamores are all part of the Vaquero "tool box" to train their horses.

The Vaqueros trained their horses for 7-10 years, starting at 4 years old, to react with very little pressure from the rider. At the end of training, the horse and rider would be one. 

 
The 3 stages of the Vaquero horse training were….


The 1st stage - starts with a hackamore bitless braided rawhide headstall to teach the horse to yield to pressure. The reins were long hand braided horse hair mecates.

The 2nd stage - or "Two Rein" is where the Vaquero would use a thinner simpler version of the hackamore nose piece, the bosal. This bosal was lighter for this part of the stage. The mecate bridle had a spade bit and a braided rawhide romel rein. During this stage of the training the Vaquero would hold both sets of reins and the horse would be controlled with mostly the bosal and light on the bit. Then the Vaquero would transition to only using the bit and would then get rid of the bosal all together.

The 3rd stage- is called the "Straight upon the Bridle". The Vaquero handles the horse with just the spade bit. The Bit is connected with romel reins. The bosal and mecate are used under the bridle to lead the horse. 

 
This extensive training enabled the Vaquero to control the horse with little pressure. The Vaquero's horse was a skilled cattle horse and would be tested....

The Vaquero use to test their horses skills by tying a thread to the links section of the chain part of the romel reins. The Vaquero would then bring the horse to a stop with a "light" pull of the reins. If the thread broke- the Vaquero needed to pull to hard.

Another way to show off their skills.....trying to rope Grizzlies!!!

Can you imagine the horsemanship skills and the communication of the horse and rider to stop and move in an instant to rope a Grizzly!!!!!

Buckaroo Leather Uses the Influence of the Vaquero when handcrafting our Hackamores

A Rawhide Accented Hackamore

A Cadillac Hackamore Set with Fiador & Mecate

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand Visit Our Unique Store Today Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

History of the Rawhide Riatas....the Vaquero's Rope

The Rawhide Riatas' History

The reata (or riata) was a long braided rawhide rope used by the early Mexican Vaqueros and was no doubt first introduced into Mexico by the Spanish conquerors.

Reata is from the Spanish word reatar, meaning to retie or a rope which ties one animal to another.

Though the word reata is often used to refer to any rope, the genuine Vaquero reata was and is a special item. It was usually 40 to 80 feet long and made from twisted strands of rawhide. The finest riatas used rawhide strands, cut by experts, from the primest part of several young heifer hides. The hides were well chosen and properly cured.

The Riatas are braided in 4, 6, or 8 strands. The 8 strand, if made by a top reatero, is a beautiful article and superb for light roping. For the average hard work on large stock, the 4 strand is the best. Diameters vary according to individual preference, but the 3/8 inch riata is the one most used.

A riata can be different stiffness's (called in roping circles: lays) depending on what type of rawhide is used. For instance, bull hide makes a very stiff rope for heel roping.

The Reateros (Spanish for "rope maker") were masters at the craft of braiding reatas and all other vaquero rawhide tools. Many of these tools were truly works of art. The braiding of the riatas was not only an art form but the braids had uniformity and even tension. This was to insure durable working tool for the Vaquero.

this is Jesse Wilkinson with rawhide riatas he crafted in 1930. 

He learned the art of rawhide braiding as a boy.

The riata was the most useful tool of the Californio Vaquero and he was highly proficient in handling it. The dexterity displayed by the Vaquero ropers impressed the early Americans cowhands and the riata was quickly adopted by them as were other items of equipment used by the vaquero. The riata can be thrown farther, with the use of less energy and retaining a more perfect loop, than any other type of rope on the market.

The Mexican way to treat a riata, to keep it supple, is to tie it between two trees. Then rub it first with lemon juice (cut a fresh lemon in two and rub the fruit along the length) and then rub it with beef fat (suet). This keeps the leather from drying out or becoming stiff. Using artificial products will make the reata too limber.

Old West Cowhands "Rope Talk"

Here is a brief list of some general rope terms used 

by the Old West Cowhands:

Lariat is an Americanization of la reata, Spanish for the rope

Reata is from the Spanish reata, meaning rope, but the American cowhands use it to designate a rawhide rope.

Reata men are hands who use a rawhide rope and they sometimes refer to this rope as a lass rope.

Roping terms used by the cowhands...

rope - to throw a rope,

roped - to have caught something with the rope

roping - the act of catching
looped - caught

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand 
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today  
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

How to tie a Mecate on your Hackamore Rawhide Bosal

How to tie a cotton mecate on your rawhide bosal hackamore.

 
Watch this video and learn how to tie a mecate on your rawhide bosal just like the Vaqueros (cowboys) of the old west. This particular "rig" was the favorite of the Californio Vaqueros when starting young horses for head set and control, before they were moved in to the bridle.

In this video you can watch Buckaroo John from Buckaroo Leather Products walk you thru how to tie the mecate to suit your needs and size.

Buckaroo John starts with a basic rawhide bosal and the cowboy harness leather hanger headstall. This headstall does not have hardware, just a basic wrap around tie in a cowboy knot for adjustment.

Buckaroo John is using a 23' cotton mecate to tie around the bosal. You can use a cotton, nylon, horsehair, alpaca and yacht rope mecate. The most common type of mecate used by the natural horseman is the cotton/nylon mecate. The Traditional style of mecate is the horsehair, it was used by the Vaqueros of the old west.

Begin by:

Taking the tassel end of the mecate through the "v" part of the bosal, making sure it is facing away from your hanger headstall.

Wrap your mecate around the "v" portion of  the bosal 3 times

Push the mecate down sung

Reach from underneath and pull down the mecate to form your reins in the length you need.

Push down the mecate inside the "v" portion of your bosal.

Pull the popper end of the mecate and continue wrapping the mecate around 2 times above your reins.

You can adjust the number of wraps to accommodate the size of the opening in the bosal. The less wraps you have the larger the bosal opening to accommodate a larger nose.

The more wraps of the mecate on the bosal the smaller the bosal opening to accommodate a smaller nose.

Take the popper end and put it back down in between your last 2 wraps. If you have done it correctly the popper will come across your reins.

The popper end is used as a light lead when you are off your horse. Or you can be like the Vaqueros of old and use the popper in the western style by tucking the popper in your belt while riding.

 Rawhide Bosal

Cotton Mecate

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality 
American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Custom Designed Leather Horse Tack Made in America

 
The Vaqueros and the Californios of the old west took pride in not only their horsemanship and horse training skills but also their leather horse tack. Many Vaqueros were skilled in rawhide braiding and would use this skill to create unique leather horse tack.

Californios and Vaqueros also adorned their unique leather horse tack with beautiful silver conchas and hand tooling.

Buckaroo Leather carries on the Vaquero tradition with custom handcrafted leather horse tack designed by YOU!!!  Beautiful conchas, hand tooling in unique patterns, rawhide braiding, quality leather all available to you to custom design your own unique piece of leather horse tack.

Below are some examples of custom designed leather horse tack manufactured by Buckaroo Leather and designed by YOU the customer.....

Call John Brand to order your custom leather horse tack today....... cell # 530-545-0139
 

 A Cowboy Mecate Snaffle Bridle Set

                                              

 Alpaca Custom Bridle Set

                                         Custom Martingale Breast Collar

 Custom Pulling Breast Collar

top and bottom pictures

 Custom Star Headstall & Breast Collar

 Scalloped Custom Set

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand 
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

New Traditional Vaquero Mecates...Horse Mane, Handmade, Top notch,

Buckaroo Leather has found a true Vaquero Mecate............

This is our newest most unique find yet. These new mecates are top notch!!! They are made by 4th generation Mecate Makers from the Idaho Owyhee desert.

They make all of their Mecates by hand from horse mane hair only. They do not believe in using cores of any kind in the center. They have used their Grandmother's traditions from the early 1900's. They believe horse mane is the best for their ropes because it is soft, and easy to work with.

All of their ropes are one of a kind! No two mecates are exactly alike.

They have kept the family art of Mecate making going by making these traditional Vaquero type Mecates with a little "twist"................

with these stylish Sheekaroo colors............

Mecate Sheekaroo Mane Hair-
Color Hippy Chick Sheekaroo

(pictured here)

Mecate Sheekaroo Mane Hair- Color Midnight Black w/Lavender/Purple.

(pictured here)

Mecate Sheekaroo Mane Hair-
Color Aqua, Midnight Black with Star bright Sheekaroo.

(pictured here)

Mecate Sheekaroo Mane Hair-Color Denim, Midnight Black with Oatmeal Sheekaroo.

(pictured here)

Mecate Sheekaroo Mane Hair-
Color Sorrel w/Bright Turquoise Sheekaroo.

(pictured here)

Watch our How-to-Videos on How to Tie a Mecate Rein to a Rawhide Bosal



How to Tie the Mecate to a Snaffle Bit Bridle with Slobber straps. Buckaroo John Brand demonstrates the proper way to tie a Mecate to a Snaffle Bit Bridle with Leather Slobber straps. This combination has won the favor of many Western Horsemen.



Buckaroo Leather has horse hair mecates, mane hair mecates, alpaca and mohair mecates.

Mecates have evolved to be a popular piece of horse gear and art for cowboys and buckaroos all over the world. Mecates are used for lead ropes or tie ropes. Some cowboys call them get down lines, snaffle bit reins and leads. Also two-reins, bosal reins, and western hackamore reins.

To use your snaffle bit with the mecate rope you will need slobber straps. Slobber straps connect to the snaffle bits and the mecate is attached to the slobber strap. Slobber straps for mecates have one large hole in each end to allow the mecate to be pushed through and tied.






Buckaroo Leather Slobber straps are made from quality leather. There are plain leather with a buckle or beautiful hand tooled and carved straps, with an acorn or rose design. (pictured here)









Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the
Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site