This paper is not a history lesson on the Vaqueros (which is Spanish for cowboy), but more on how I
was taught this traditional art of developing the lightest possible horse ever. There are many books
and web sites out there to get that info from. Again the method I am going to write about here is what I
was taught. I have seen and read other methods most are pretty much the same just small variations.
The one thing I will mention is the original Vaqueros never used a snaffle bit as some might believe.
The snaffle was introduced into this method by the Texans after about 350 years of the Vaqueros
developing their method. They were searching for a faster way to develop the same ultimate light
horse as the Vaqueros. If one were to study or read anything about the Vaqueros they would learn
that any sort of bit used at the beginning phases of training, or a better term for their method would be
teaching, would be completely backwards to their way of accomplishing what they were seeking with a
horse. But, having said that, let me say I am in no way saying that there aren't great horse trainers out
there that use a snaffle. But I feel if they are used, it isn't true traditional Vaquero, that's all. I do use a
snaffle on some horses, but I never use one before the horse has been in a hackamore for a while to
learn what is expected without getting in his mouth.
When I first start a horse in a saddle I start him with in a bosal hackamore. I am assuming here
everyone knows what a bosal is. If not you can do a search on the net and find out everything you
can. But, be careful what you read. Bosals were not developed by the Vaqueros to be used as a tie
down. If you have to use a tie down on your horse for any kind of riding or eventing you need to pull
your horse back and work with him allot more. Their is never ever a reason to use a tie down, except
lack of patience. Bosal hackamores have reins tied to them called mecate reins.
A few things about the hackamore and its parts. Bosals in this kind of training are sized buy their bars
not the nose band. The diameter of the bar is what is important. A flat nose band is not necessarily
better then a round. They both have their own purpose depending on were the horse is most sensitive
on the bridge of his nose. Though, a sixteen plait is higher quality then a 12, it doesn't necessarily
mean that is what is best at the time for the horse. One other very important comment, always untie
your mecates from your bosal at the end of the day. A lot of people use shaping blocks on their
bosals. I don't find them necessary if I just untie my mecates, and once you get good at tieing them it
only takes a couple of seconds.
I only use horse hair mecates because of the weight. I like mane hair better then tale.
When I begin riding a horse I use a hackamore with a bosal that has 3/4 inch bar diameter with a 3/4
inch diameter 8 strand mecate. I only stay in this set up long enough to get good lateral flexion and
vertical flexion. Then I move to a 6 strand 3/4 inch mecate. At this weight mecates it starts getting long.
This is were I start teaching him to stay off the bosal, or what they call working inside the bosal. I want
him to learn to start giving his head vertically. But, it isn't really the vertical position I am after, it is
more of a mental and emotional lightest I am after rather then physical I usually stay in this set up until
a good foundation is built. (Go to Programs and Prices under foundation horse) Then I move into a
5/8 inch diameter 8 strand mecate. Again here I am looking for the horse to work inside of the bosal
with a lighter weight mecate. I go to a bosal with 5/8 inch diameter bars with 5/8 inch 8 strand mecate.
I am using the last weight I used, but with a smaller bar, so he has to learn with less contact on him.
Then I use a 5/8 inch 6 strand mecate. Then a 5/8 inch 4 strand. I then go into a bosal with 1/2 inch
bars with the 5/8 4 strand mecates. I always go back to my foundation program and exercise to check
when it is time to move to a new weight or bar size. I then go to a 1/2 inch 6 strand mecate. Once I feel
he is were I want him in this set up, I use this set up to introduce him to one rein riding. I don't spend a
lot of time with this, just so he starts to get it. I then go into a double rein setup.
In the double rein I go to a 3/8 inch bar bosal with 3/8 inch mecates and I usually start them in a bit
with a Salinas mouth piece and romal reins. I ride him like this slowly transitioning from using the
mecates attached to the bosal to using Romals that are on the bit. For more info on bits go to my page
bits and spurs were I discuss the difference in this kind of signal bit horse and the more common
leverage bit neck reined horse.
Like I said this is what I know. I have seen vaqueros that use more different weight mecates then this
and I have seen were they don't progress in different weight in each bar size, they just go down in bar
size. All that is fine, they all work. The reason for the different size mecates and strand number is all
about weight, getting the horse to give more with less. I know of vaqueros that actually weigh their
mecates. Over time I have found that the exact weight isn't all that important just that they are getting
lighter as we go. But you don't want to use too heavy a rein for the size bosal you are using, that is
why I stick with the mane hair. Over time I have learned they are in the weight range.
This can take around three years to accomplish, but can vary. During all this the horse is learning all
the necessary things to make a good versatile cow and ranch horse. This finished bridled horse is a
true dream to ride. He is very light, not just physically but emotionally and mentally collected. Most
riders today who have ridden all their life will never experience this kind of ride.
This is a very quick over view of this method. It is a very extensive art and takes a lot more discussion
to fully understand.
Update to page: I have been asked how I know when it is time to move on in mecate weight or bar
size. Understand what I am about to explain is very flexible depending on number of factors. As I
mentioned above when I start working the horse in the bosal I first use a 3/4 bar bosal and an eight
strand 3/4 mecate. In this setup I first work on good lateral flexion. I don't worry at all about vertical
flexion or the horse stay off the bosal until I have lateral. The natural world is now teaching that lateral
flexion is just pulling the head to the side and getting that as light as possible. But, that is not all of true
lateral flexion. True lateral flexion is when the horse will bend relaxed in the neck and all through the
ribs in a turn or circle. Most people get it by force with a snaffle bit in the first couple of rides. Because
of this they are always having to go back to it and force it some more when the horse gets stiff. I take a
few weeks to teach it to him slowing and step by step using different techniques. I want this near
perfect before I move on. Once I have it. I move on to vertical flexion or teaching the horse to give a
vertical headset by staying off the bosal. I like to get lateral first because then it is so much easier for
him to learn vertical. Once I have good lateral and vertical flexion I then move to a 6 strand 3/4
mecate. I stay at this weight until I am done with all my foundation work. Which like I say in my prices
page to me is just Vaquero dressage or what they call today a reining horse. So, to me a reining horse
is just a horse that has a good foundation to start working cattle. This usually takes me about another
6 months. Once I get their I move to an 8 strand 5/8 mecate and this is were I start the horse on cattle
slowly. The rest of it is basically what I feel of the horse. But, I will usually be in a hackamore for 2 to 2
1/2 years. Then I will be in the double rein for about a year.
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