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 
Visit Our Unique Store Today  
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

The History of the Mecate Reins and Hackamores

The Mecate Reins are the Rage of the Sage because they are so versatile.

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 history of the Hackamore and Mecate goes all the way back to 4,000 BC. 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 BC were one of the first 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. From this, the American Cowboy adopted two different uses, 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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. It is also used with horses that have dental issues, where a bit would be painful. Some riders also like to use this style of Hackamore in the winter instead of a frozen metal bit.

Buckaroo Leather Products uses the influence of the Vaquero when creating the many styles of Hackamores and Mecates we have available. Buckaroo also offers many traditional "Old mexico" hand braided Rawhide Bosals.

100% Alpaca Mecate

Hand Woven 100% Alpaca Mecate Rein with the colors Summer Rose with Black and tan. The Alpaca fibers used in these Mecates are grown on a family ranch in South East Colorado. 

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.

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.

Mane Hair Mecate

Mane Hair Mecate 5/8" - 22' long, 6 Strand Braid.
Beautiful Quality hand braided feel and communication.

Mecate Rein with Leather Popper

This rein has a Nylon Mecate with Leather poppers. Available in 5/8" width and 23' length. This mecate is Perfect for the beginning stages of Horse training or everyday mecate use.

Buckaroo Leather Products has all your Hackamore, Mecate, and slobber strap needs. We have many styles to choose from and all are fashioned from the highest grade American Made leather, from Hermann Oak Leather. The quality of our horse tack can not be beat!! Proud to be American made!!






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

The Anatomy of the Bosal by Pasini Equine

Hackamore principles and the hackamore itself can be applied to any horse and any discipline. Garrick Pasini of Pasini Equine believes and uses these principles with all his new colts and in his Hackamore Horsemanship clinics. Garrick has a true respect for the hackamore. If you want a horse with a soft mouth, that responds to light cues, Garrick recommends that you try the Hackamore. 

The hackamore consists of the fiador, hanger and bosal. (watch the Buckaroo Leather how to video on the hackamore...click here) 

Garrick recently dissected a part of the hackamore, a starter 5/8th bosal....See below... 

(the information and pictures below are from Garrick's facebook page)   

This started bosal that Garrick built was 11 inches long with a 8 in. nose button. Notice the grime on the inside of the nose button showing contact on the horses nose, very important.

As he un-braids the nose button you can see different colors of muzzle hair embedded in the braid. (pictured below) The rawhide used for the cheek piece is still in great condition, which is very important for communication.

 

With all buttons completely removed we are left with nothing but the round or body. You can see the reata core in the first picture. (below) I will now add nerve buttons to the nose button in the second picture.

With the nose button prepped its time to braid the button.

If you are interested in learning more about Garrick Pasini and his hackamore clinics be sure to visit his website and facebook page to stay connected. 

 Garrick's next clinic

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 Rein

John Brand of Buckaroo leather shows you how to tie a Soft Cotton Mecate Rein to a quality Rawhide Bosal

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

An Indian Hackamore-a Unique Piece of Horse Tack for Bitless Riding

The Indian Hackamore is a unique piece of Horse Equipment. Its popularity is growing in the bitless riding world and with natural horsemanship.

Indian Hackamore RW318

This very unique bosal is called an “Indian Hackamore”. It is gentler than a bosal. The nose is flat instead of round. The chin portion widens and narrows to fit most any size head. The action is most like riding with a halter but with more communication and control. The ends that connect to the reins are crossed so when you pull on say the right rein the pressure goes under the jaw and around to the opposite side to bring their head around to the right. There is a breaking in period for the area under the chin to soften up and shape to your horses head. This unique diamond braid Butter nylon with rawhide nose in Brown accents is softer than all rawhide and is already broken in. Great For Bitless Riding!!


The Indian Bosal is a unique piece of equipment found in a tack room. It is a simple and often unknown solution to the many problems that bits may cause. It is a simple design, consisting only of yacht rope or rawhide much like today’s rope halters. The Indian Bosal may be attached to any type of headstall, either Western or English in style. Much like the rope halter and The Bitless Bridle, the Indian Bosal works through pressure. The ropes of the Indian Bosal criss-cross under the horse’s jaw. Your direct rein tells your horse which way to go as it would with either a snaffle bit or side-pull.

The Indian Bosal has many advantages to its use in training. The Indian Bosal can be used on young horses or old horses, despite their level of training. They work best on a horse that knows how to respond properly to pressure. If the horse has received adequate ground training in a rope halter, he should respond well to the Indian Bosal. The bosal also aids in neck reining training as the feel the pressure on the same side as they feel the rein. The horse will learn and correspond to the pressures.

The Indian Bosal will aid in curing many of the problems associated with bits and mechanical hackamores. These devices cause problems such as head shaking, bit chewing, resisting the bit and more. Many horses that will not accept the bit will often toss and throw their heads, making a dangerous situation for both horse and rider. The use of the bosal will help solve many of these problems.

The Indian Bosal is a great tool for a horse that just doesn’t like a bit and resists having a bridle put on. It will be a welcome relief to the horse when you go to put on his bridle and there is not bit going in his mouth. This makes for a happier situation for both horse and rider and will get you in the saddle sooner. The horse will not shake his head and try to get the pressure off of his nose as the rope is fairly thin and is not heavy. The horse will also be more attentive to your desires instead of playing with a bit or trying to avoid your cues.

There is little history to be found about the Indian Bosal, but as its name suggests Native Americans once used it in riding their horses. The versions found today are probably somewhat different but the concept the same. They were introduced to the cowboy’s by Native American cowpunchers that braided them out of rawhide.

If used properly, the Indian Bosal is a great alternative to bits and great for natural horsemanship.



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

Git-Down-Rope- the Rage of the Sage

In keeping with the traditional Vaquero style- the Get-Down-Rope is becoming popular with both the casual riders, following the vaquero style, and the old west working cowboy.

The traditional cowboys used the “git” down rope to keep there horse standing still while they “git” down to shut the gate, pick up something or have some “doughgods” ( old west cowboy word for biscuits) by the campfire.

Today the, get-down-rope is used in the same way, especially in training young horses to stand still.

The Git-Down-Rope is used along with your Bosal and hackamore set up. The Bosal is favored by Western Horsemen, especially those following the Traditional Vaquero Style.

The Git-Down-Rope is used in place of a halter and is easy to use.

Watch the step by step video to learn the proper way to attach the old west “git” down rope and the proper comfortable fit for the horse.

Get Down Rope -

18' long with leather popper. 1/4" Nylon Marine yacht braid with Beautiful Natural Rawhide Button with Hair Tassel. Or 1/2" Cotton with natural rawhide button and cotton tassel (small picture). To be used in place of a halter and lead rope with a pencil bosal and hanger under a bridle for leading. When you “get down” off your horse you have a lead

Git Down Rope w/Bosal and Hanger-

Git Down Rope and 3/8" Pencil Bosal w/ 1/2" harness leather Hanger headstall (complete set as pictured)- Get Down Rope is 18' long with leather popper. 1/4" Nylon Marine yacht braid with Beautiful Natural Rawhide Button with Hair Tassel. Or 1/2" Cotton with natural rawhide button and cotton tassel. To be used in place of a halter and lead rope with a pencil bosal and hanger under a bridle for leading. When you “git down” off your horse you have a lead. Pencil Bosal is 3/8" and 14 Plait Beautiful all natural rawhide braid with a rawhide core.

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 Style Hackamores & Mecates

On my horse travels I have noticed the “old west” style of Hackamores are coming back!

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.

To learn more on how to tie Mecate reins, please watch this Video

If you enjoyed this blog post check back for more posts on other traditional Californio rawhide horse tack product including:

Rawhide Quirtz, Rawhide Romel Reins, and Rawhide Riatas.

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

Mecate Reins and Hackamores- A Brief History....

The Mecate Reins are fast becoming the Rage of the Sage because they are so versatile....

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 history of the Hackamore and Mecate goes all the way back to 4,000 BC. 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 BC were one of the first 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. From this, the American Cowboy adopted two different uses, 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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. It is also used with horses that have dental issues, where a bit would be painful. Some riders also like to use this style of Hackamore in the winter instead of a frozen metal bit.

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.

Buckaroo Leather Uses the Vaquero Influence

Buckaroo Leather uses the influence of the Vaquero when creating the many styles of Hackamores and Mecates.

The Complete Mecate Snaffle Bridle Set (as pictured above) has 3/4" Harness Cowboy Knotbrow Headstall, Hand Tooled Basket Design Slobber Straps, and Earth Tone Mecate with hand Engraved "OLD MEXICO" Silver or Brass Conchas and Buckle Sets to match!

Buckaroo also offers many traditional "Old mexico" hand braided Rawhide Bosals.

A variation of the Hackamore is called "Mecate Snaffle Bridle Reins" (see how to tie video). It is used as a rein system for a bridle with a bit. The Mecate Reins are meant to be used with slobber straps to connect to the snaffle bits.. The slobber straps protect the Mecate and helps provide a quick release for training the horse. This variation is used by the Natural Horseman. And has become very popular with Nevada and High Desert Buckaroos...

Buckaroo Leather makes slobber straps (pictured above) to attach your Mecate to your snaffle. Buckaroo makes many different styles from plain get the job done to custom hand tooled leather. Our most popular slobber straps are the ones with a buckle. The buckle allows you to buckle on or off the bit without having to untie your Mecate.

Buckaroo Leather has all your Hackamore, Mecate, and slobber strap needs. We have many styles to choose from and all are fashioned from the highest grade American Made leather, from Hermann Oak Leather. The quality of our horse tack can not be beat!! You will love our style but come back for the quality!

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

To watch Video on Tying
Mecate to Snaffle Bit Bridle
Click Here