Art of Hackamore Training

Old-time California vaqueros left a fine tradition as a legacy to horsemen today—the bridle horse, the ultimate in finesse and control. Time-tested practices passed from generation to generation go into making a bridle horse, and hackamore training is an important step in the process.The Art of Hackamore Training address the origin of this unusual skill and its place in the bridle-horse tradition, as well as the unique gear specific to the art, such as the bosal, fiador and mecate. Hackamore theory, benefits and principles are followed by practical applications—how to use groundwork to introduce the hackamore, key points for success under saddle, and drills, exercises and maneuvers to refine the hackamore horse's response.To understand the hackamore and its use is to understand its history, origin and development, as well as the equipment itself, including the bosal, mecate, fiador and such. From groundwork to key points under saddle, the authors provide drills to improve such skills as connecting the horse's face to his feet, turnarounds, stops and fencing, as well as how to use these skills in handling cattle. A final chapter addresses the quarto riendas, or four-rein, which uses both snaffle and hackamore, and dos riendas, or two-rein, the finishing touch from hackamore to full bridle horse.