What are bosal bridles used for?
A bosal is used to allow the rider to work on establishing soft hands and encourage a horse to become more flexible in its neck. It is the noseband to be used in a hackamore setup. Young, green horses often begin their training in a bosal because they have a sensitive mouth.
What size bosal do I need?
Choose the right size bosal. Measure from the inside of the nose button to the top of the heel knot. A 10 inch will fit most small horses and ponies. 11 inches is for the average horse, and 12 inches will fit most larger-headed horses.
What should I look for in a bosal?
Choosing a Bosal
- A medium soft hackamore 5/8-inch in diameter to start.
- Good quality, without a cable through the nose-piece.
- Not too stiff, or you’ll sore the horse up.
- Not too flimsy or big, or it won’t be effective.
Why use a bosal on a horse?
The entire purpose of the bosal is to get the horse to work on light touch and promote flexibility in the horse’s neck. For example, instead of ‘direct reining’ the rider would lay the mecate across the horse’s neck in the direction they’d like to go.
What is the difference between a hackamore and a bosal?
“Although modern horsemen have come to use the terms ‘hackamore’ and ‘bosal’ interchangeably, traditional hackamore men frown upon this. In historical context, bosal designates nosepieces ¼- to 3/8-inch in diameter, and all other sizes from ½-inch and upward are known as hackamores.
Do Bosals have different sizes?
Bosal length usually varies from 10 inches to 12 inches when measured inside from the bottom of the nose button to the top of the heel knot. Some riders prefer a longer bosal, as it allows for more wraps of the mecate above the heel knot, which they believe provides more weight and a more distinct signal.
Are bosal bridles only made in Western styles?
However, bosal bridles are usually only made in western styles though English riders can definitely make use of training bosals for young horses. Enhance your gentle communication today by selecting from our wide variety of hackamore and bosal bridles.
What is a bosal hackamore bridle?
A bosal hackamore looks similar to a rope halter except the noseband is made of thicker, heavier, and harder cow hide material. Instead of reins, a mecate attaches to the bosal just under the horses chin. This bridle uses mainly nose pressure to control the horse however, they are often used by riders who neck rein.
Are bosal hackamores good for horses?
They are especially good for green horses, horses who respond well to gentle rein aids, or young riders who tug on their horse’s mouth. Bosal hackamores and mechanical hackamores are very similar types of bridles, however there are some major differences.
How do you control a horse with a bridle?
This bridle uses mainly nose pressure to control the horse however, they are often used by riders who neck rein. There are also horse training bosals that help teach green horses how to neck rein. A mechanical hackamore uses leverage on the nose to communicate with the horse.