Expert: D LaChapelle www.Laurelmountainfarms.com - 10/4/2007

Question
I have a wonderful older qh mare, due to some recent teeth issues and because I think she goes better without the bit I have been riding her in a rawhide bosal from ebay, not sure if it fits her right and wanted some pointers on fit like the  width of it from side to side say and anything else you can add. Also is the thin lariat type hanger best? Thanks sooo much for your time.

Answer
Hi Helaine!

Sorry to hear your mare is having teeth issues.  I hope her healing goes well and quickly!

When fitting your bosal, make sure it does not hang too low.  This is the biggest mistake I see that people make. It needs to hang well above the cartilage on the bridge of the nose but not so high as to be ineffective in its purpose.  If you place three fingers  on your horses nose with your index finger at the end of the cartilage, where your ring finger rests should be the correct position for the bosal.  Lower if you have really big fingers!   The muzzle opening needs to be fitted so that there is no more than 1" of travel in the cheek piece before it contacts the jawbones.  How many wraps you take with your mecate depends on the size of your horses head, the diameter of the bosal and it's construction.  You are right on track with a good bosal hanger.  Since this is an intermediate step in horse training, your gear becomes more refined as your horse does.     

Remember, the bosal is a training device and the second step in developing a bridle horse.  It operates differently than  a snaffle bit.  It uses a more indirect rein and you have to rely more on legs and seat than on your hands.  You can also create a very strange brace and head tilt when using a bosal too soon in the horses training due to the physics of how the bosal works on the horse.  Be aware of this.  You don't want to create an issue where one does not exist.

Make a block for your bosal and keep it blocked.  This will help it retain the proper shape, which is somewhat hourglass, when you are not riding.  I'll take a picture of my bosal and the block and post it on my website for you.  I'll also post a picture of it fitted on one of my horses.  I don't know about you, but seeing things for me really helps. I don't use a fiador on my bosal.  This is just a matter of refinement and personal choice.  Some folks like the bosal to hang a bit more toward level an have the security of a throatlatch.  A fiador also keeps the bosal quiet and much less rocking on the nose.

Give me a few days to take and post the pictures.  I'm still catching up after a wonderful vacation!  I hope this helps!

Best wishes and Smiles!  Denise

Hi again Helaine!  I have the pictures finished and I'll get them posted this evening.  They will be on the Training Q&A page of my website. Hope all is going well!  Smiles, Denise

Hi Helaine!  FINALLY!!! The pictures of the bosal in it's block are on the website.  This time they should stay there.  I not sure what happened last time.  Seems the pictures just didn't want to stay!  I hope you got to see them.  On the "Training" page is a very nice picture of Buck's hackamore horse hobbled.  It shows bosal fit very clearly and is just a darn good picture of a very nice horse.  Hope this answers your questions!

Smiles!  Denise