The Art of Hackamore Training: A Time-Honored Step in the Bridle-Horse Tradition (Paperback)

The 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.

Benny Guitron was born in California in 1948 and inspired by the great horsemen of his day. Guitron set out to be like those horsemen and to train horses in ways honorable to tradition. Soaking up all available knowledge made the young man into the ren...

Benny Guitron is the fifth of Felix Guitron Sr.’s six children. Young Guitron, inspired as a youth by the great horsemen of his day—Jimmy Williams, Harold Farren, Red Neal, Don Dodge and perhaps most significantly, vaquero trainer, Tony Amaral Sr.—became fired by a dream. Determined to achieve his dream, Guitron set out to be like those horsemen and to train horses in ways honorable to tradition.

Al Dunning is credited with 32 world-championship and reserve-championship titles. The knowledge and passion he shares in his clinics, videos, and lessons have molded not only average students, but also some of today's most successful professional horse trainers.

Dunning’s ability to reach people comes from his love of horses and out of respect to the mentors in his own life.

Author:

Dunning, Al

Genre:

SPORTS & RECREATION / Equestrian

Audience:

General/trade

Format:

Paperback

Pages:

136

Language:

English

Publisher:

Western Horseman

Publish Date:

10/02/2012

Copyright Year:

2012

ISBN:

9780762780563

Height:

11.0 in

Wdth:

8.0 in

Thickness:

0.5 in

Unit weight:

1.3 lb