Hackamore and mecate buying tips

This video is just to give folks some ideas about what to look for when buying a hackamore or mecate. Here are also links to some of the makers mentioned in the video.
Californio Gear - www.californiogear.com
Steve Harris - [e-mail]
Mecha Nagel - www.facebook.c...
McGowan Saddlery - www.mcgowansadd...
Doug Krause - www.facebook.com
/douglas.krause.10?fref=ts
Sara Hagel - www.mecates.com

[@juliekrohmer2642]

Wow, this was so helpful. I've been watching a lot of video to learn about this tool & many are very helpful but your details took it to another level. Great information, organized presentation, & well explained. I will be watching it again & again. Thanks!

[@justsomeguy9774]

Great content all over your channel love the information your so willing to put out about the vaquero style and traditions.

[@VDCappetta]

Very informative. Would have liked to hear information regarding the various nose button and mecate diameter options and how they are relevant.

[@LuSteuckUP]

I can't even start to thank you for this lessons, because it will never be enough! I'm just glad to find this video before I buy a hackamore. There are so many things to consider that I'm sure I would regret the piece I bought. Unfortunately, there are not so many options of sellers where I live. Guess it will take some time until I find something that matches with what a just learned from you.

[@Foxiepawstotti]

It's great to see people with your knowledge and authority speaking about how it isn't a leverage tool but a signalling tool. I have never believed in hurting animals to get my way and if you can't ride without artificial aids then you shouldn't be riding at all.

[@smlmentorship1969]

Great content videos are excellent full of detail! Your books I enjoyed immensely love the history attached with the progression and development of the bridle horse!! Really looking forward to your next book on the biomechanics of how it all works together!!

[@SGTrainingStable]

Thanks for explaining in so much detail! This is the information that I’ve been seeking.

[@Rbuffdogs]

Excellent information, clear , concise.

[@rafterL78]

A wealth of knowledge, thank you.

[@wingsofflow4041]

Hi Jeff, I found Micha and will order my Bosal from him. Thanks for the info. I was hoping to meet you this year but my only holidays this year is the week in August when you will be here.......... :-(

[@michellehovanek3441]

Would it be possible to go ore in depth on the shaping of the bosal for proper position before going on the horses face? Really enjoy the amount of expertise in your videos

[@kristervauhkonen4912]

Thank you Jeff for a nice, very informative vidio!

[@hyperactive_usagichan]

Love this video! Incredibly informative on equipment!

[@mirandapaton9664]

Thanks so much for the clear and technical information. I have one question: With regards to the stiffness of a hackamore (around 9:03), why not use a stiffer hackamore and smaller/more precise movements with your hand? I understand why you wouldn't want that biting edge or the stiffness to "weaponize" this signal device in that sense of "adding more authority." But I don't understand why the stiffness of the hackamore doesn't function as a more accurate transmission of the rider's hand to his horse's nose, and a quicker release when the rider lowers his hand in the slightest. What am I misunderstanding? Thank you.

[@crimsonmist4840]

Thank you so much for your guidance and clarity!!!

[@jlz1333]

On average, how long does it take to shape a new hackamore - natural with rawhide core? Thank you.

[@JaquiBMakeup]

Hi Jeff, thank you for the video. It's very informative. I have an Arabian mare who goes in a full bridle but due some mouth issues I've been riding her in a rawhide side pull. She's much more relaxed in it so I've been thinking of going to the bosal hackamore. I've read a few things saying that for Arabians you need a special size for the nose buttons so not to have the hangers in their eyes. If this is true do I need to have one specially made for her? Or would I be able to shape to fit her correctly? Thanks for your time. Jaqui

[@sheacat77]

I am also curious about this. I have an Arab gelding I want to restart this way.

[@stephanierogers4211]

This was really helpful!

[@Guruton10]

very informative!!!

[@PaulShaw-ex7ri]

It originated with the Moor's !

[@cheyennehorses]

Thank you, great information.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

What should I expect to pay for a bosal that meets the criteria you outlined?

[@modernvaquero]

The prices can very quite a lot. If you look at www.californiogear.com you will get an idea of price for a good working quality hackamore. They can go up into the $600 range though for a good custom hackamore.

[@josephsellarslesacelier2742]

muchas gracias senor

[@noemiepnappert]

Can you use the 3/4 or 5/8 always? like for you everyday ride? Do you need to go smaller ? thanks

[@modernvaquero]

Yes you certainly can but if you want to continue to make your signaling more and more refined then going down in size does help. But if I only was allowed one tool to ride a horse with for the rest of my life it would be a good quality 5/8 hackamore.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Do all of your hackamore examples have a different diameter on the nose band vs. the sides? Thanks.

[@modernvaquero]

Yes they do. Any good quality hackamore will have a larger diameter nose button. Most of the action is happening on the nose and a larger nose button helps to better distribute that pressure.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

@@modernvaquero Thank you very much.

[@wingsofflow4041]

Hi Jeff, thanks for this great video! Do you mind giving me the name of the person in Germany making Bosals Thanks, Inga

[@wingsofflow4041]

I found him - thanks

[@leoniemaurer1817]

May you tell me the name of the person as well please?

[@ac12201]

Great information.. Thank you

[@patriciareid6679]

Jeff, I enjoyed your video, but can't find links to your trusted sources. I want to purchase the 5/8 hackamore you had in your video and the 6 strand me cate by Doug crosse. Could you pass this on to them or provide me with their links. Thanks so much. Patricia

[@modernvaquero]

Hi, sorry I missed this message earlier. If you go to www.californiogear.com you will see some of the hackamores. She has a lot more of them than what is on the website. She might even have some of Doug's mecates. :) If not you can get in touch with Douge directly on facebook facebook.com/pages/Krause-Saddle-Company/146824675336372

[@josephsellarslesacelier2742]

rick gore in nor texas wud like to meet yu on his horse buddy

[@cayuseHP]

Thank you!

[@donnaehalt4084]

Is Californiogear still in business

[@modernvaquero]

Yes, I was just on the site a couple min ago.

[@vaqueritof7565]

when was the hieght of the vaquero? and was it really in the central coast? because the vaqueros in mexico almost only make their horses with bosal still . it might be dying in the u.s but definitely not in Mexico where it all started.

[@NB-sy5gb]

Your wrong

[@foiran]

How does human hair compare in handling to horse hair? I joke with my girlfriend that she leaves so much hair lying around the house I should collect it and get a mecate made, I didn’t realise that I actually probably could.

[@modernvaquero]

The human hair is softer but one of the things I really like about it is that when it gets wet it does not get as stiff as a horsehair mecate. It takes about 4 lbs of hair for a 5/8 mecate so it might take a while to collect that from the bathroom sink :D

[@foiran]

thanks for the reply.

[@stevenfoulger6066]

Can anyone tell me why most hackamore horsemen don't use a fiador?

[@modernvaquero]

I do on my green horses. But maybe the other guys don't because they haven't ridden enough green horses outside and have never had the joy of walking home carrying their hackamore. :D

[@stevenfoulger6066]

+California Bridle Horse That's what I'm afraid would happen if I didn't have one on. Thanks for replying. Would you also mind telling me how to tell a bosal that has a cable core from one that has a rawhide core? I'm sure it would be obvious on the thinner bosals, but on the thicker and heavier ones (3/4") it seems harder to tell.

[@terryreyes1125]

Whats funny is the best mecates are not made in california they are made in mexico where thry came from and latin america

[@modernvaquero]

There are certainly some very good ones made in Mexico. The best though do come from places like californiogear.com that are made in California, Doug Krause, Shara Hagle, Merlyn Rupp and Larry Schutte who are also in the US.

[@terryreyes1125]

@@modernvaquero matter of opinion i guess.

[@romannunez32]

First of all it is not a Hackimore it a bosal my friend

[@modernvaquero]

Not sure where you are from but on the coast of California where I grew up it is a hackamore. The old California tradition is that anything small enough that you ride under the bridle is a bosal so 3/8 and 1/4. Anything larger that you ride by itself is a hackamore.

[@romannunez32]

@@modernvaquero You might be right but that is a Spanish invention and its name for that is called a bosal Maybe hear the name was changed

[@modernvaquero]

@@romannunez32 Yes, I am aware of the Spanish origins. I live in Spain most winters and there is not generally called bosal, it is called a jaquims and roughly translated means halter. Hackamore is a mispronunciation of the Spanish but the Spanish is a mispronunciation of the Arabic word meaning basically bridle or something to control the horse. I have this clearly described in my book The California Hackamore Horse. I also have visual proof of this in the form of a painting from a folio done called On The Usefulness of Animals by Ibn Bakhtishu. He was a Christian physician in service to the Calif of Bagdad circa 1300. Thank you brining this up as a lot of people have bad information about the hackamore and its origins so it is good to straighten out the misconceptions.

[@tanyahanks5363]

vaya con dios

[@MrRyanmcmahon]

Great explanations, thank you.

[@mirandapaton9664]

Thanks so much for the clear and technical information. I have one question: With regards to the stiffness of a hackamore (around 9:03), why not use a stiffer hackamore and smaller/more precise movements with your hand? I understand why you wouldn't want that biting edge or the stiffness to "weaponize" this signal device in that sense of "adding more authority." But I don't understand why the stiffness of the hackamore doesn't function as a more accurate transmission of the rider's hand to his horse's nose, and a quicker release when the rider lowers his hand in the slightest. What am I misunderstanding? Thank you.

[@Meirjolanknits]

thank you!