Relief from the Bit with a Vaquero
Influence
The
first Hackamore was probably a piece of rope placed around the nose or head of
a horse not long after domestication. These early devices for controlling
horses may have been adapted from equipment used to control Camels. Over time,
this means of controlling a horse became more sophisticated.
The
Persians in 500 b.c. were some of the first ones to use a thick, plaited noseband
to help the horse look and move in the same direction. This was called a Hakma.
On this Hakma was a third rein added at the nose, which allowed the rider to
achieve more power from the horse. Later,
this third rein moved from the top of the noseband to under the chin, where it
is still part of the modern Bosal style Hackamore with Mecate
reins.
The
Hackamore used in the United States came from the Spanish Vaqueros in
California. The Hackamore was used by the Vaqueros in the beginning for horse
training. The Vaqueros quickly learned that this piece of horse tack was a must
for every day riding too.
From
this, the American Cowboy adopted two different styles of hackamores, the
"Buckaroo" tradition, closely resembling that of the original
Vaqueros, and the "Texas" tradition which blended some Spanish
techniques with methods from the eastern states.
Bosal
Hackamore Style
The
Bosal Hackamore uses the Vaqueros tradition of the braided noseband and the
Mecate rope. This Vaquero style of Hackamore is used in Western Riding and is
an indispensable part of the Vaquero way of making a California reined horse.
Sidepull
Headstall / Hackamore
The
side pull Hackamore or headstall, is a modern design inspired by the Bosal
style. This style has a heavy noseband with side rings that attach the reins on
either side of the head. This allows very direct pressure to be applied from
side to side. The noseband is made of leather, rawhide, or rope with a leather
or synthetic strap under the jaw. It is held on by a leather or synthetic
headstall. This style of Hackamore is great for beginning riders.
Today
the hackamore is popular in Natural Horsemanship and with horse riders still
true to the Vaquero ways. The hackamore is very popular among bitless riders as
well, because it does not need 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.
Buckaroo
also offers many traditional “Old Californio” hand braided rawhide bosals for
your hackamore, like the Bosalitos Vaquero Style. These bosalitos are
braided in the old Vaquero tradition with a forelock tie.
Buckaroo
Leather uses the influence of the Vaquero when creating the many styles of
Hackamores. Check out the many styles of hackamores and bosals available from
Buckaroo Leather, at www.buckarooleather.com
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