What is the purpose of mecate reins?

Mecate reins are used for early horse training. In fact, the mecate and bosal setup is considered to be a variation on Spanish vaquero training. The weight and texture of the rein helps to facilitate the training by providing subtle cues to the horse.

Can you use draw reins on a young horse?

I might use them on a younger horse to help him feel how it’s supposed to feel when his body is round, just to give him a sense of what’s correct. And then I step away from them. I had a horse that would have been a good candidate for someone to put draw reins on.

What are bosal bridles used for?

They are designed to be used with two hands and mecate reins; bosals encourage flexion and softness in a green horse. Bosals are popular among Western riders. A bitless bridle distributes pressure all over your horse’s head, much like a halter does.

Can you start a horse in a bosal?

Starting a horse in a bosal can preserve the horse’s mouth, but it can also bang up the nose and scar the bars of the jaw. Both the snaffle bit and the bosal are “lateral” control devices — meaning the horse is ridden with two hands and you use a direct rein to change the direction the horse is going.

How do you apply mecate reins?

Taking the tassel end of the mecate through the “v” part of the bosal, making sure it is facing away from your hanger headstall. Wrap your mecate around the “v” portion of the bosal 3 times. Push the mecate down snug. Reach from underneath and pull down the mecate to form your reins in the length you need.

How are mecate reins made?

Traditional mecate reins—pronounced either “muh-caw-tee” or “McCarty”—are made from horse hair, but can also be made from mohair (long-haired goat wool). One end of the mecate has a “morta” or a knot that has a cluster of horse hair tassel, and the other end has a leather popper.

Why are draw reins bad?

Draw-reins multiply the force effect the bit has on the bars, and fundamentally act to pull the head and neck in a backward direction. Many problems, such as poor rideability, resistance, and hind leg lameness, to name only a few, are often the result of tension-laden “backward riding” and the use of draw-reins.

Why you shouldn’t use draw reins?

Used improperly, side reins and draw reins can cause a horse to habitually shorten his stride, stiffen or overbend to evade contact, and become heavy on the forehand; They can also make him sore in the neck and back.

Where should a bosal sit on a horses nose?

Raise or lower it so that the bosal rests on the nasal bone above the point where the bone tapers down toward the nostrils. Look for a raised area on the bone, the nasal “bump,” as a landmark and starting point for a position that works best for your horse. Don’t go below it or you can injure your horse.

Are Hackamores better than bits?

The hackamore has more weight, which allows for more signal before direct contact. This allows the horse a greater opportunity to prepare. With a snaffle bit, you can do as much as it takes to get the job done, whereas the hackamore helps you can learn how little as it takes to get the job done.

What are mecate reins for horses?

What they are: Mecate reins are typically used with a bosal, also known as a hackamore. Made of horse mane or tail hair, mohair, or nylon in several thickness options, mecate reins include one length of rope attached to the bosal to make a loop around the horse’s neck, with the remainder used as a lead rope that is tied around the saddle horn.

Are mecate reins easy to use with a bosal?

Not very easy to use with a bosal. Mecate reins are traditionally made out of horse hair but can also be made out of rope. My favorite type of mecate reins are made out of yachting braid rope. Mecate reins are typically attached to a snaffle type bit with slobber straps or tied directly to a bosal.

What are the best reins for English trail riding?

Traditional split reins commonly used in the western world but can be good for english trail riders as well. The reins can be held in one hand but, on the trail, the easiest thing to do is just criss cross them over the horse’s neck.

Why are reins so important in riding?

Used to cue and control direction and speed, the right set of reins can make the difference between a good ride and a disaster.