AQHA Professional Horseman Patrick Hooks steers readers away from training gimmicks and toward a time-honored training system.

Question:

Lots of people get caught up on training aids and gimmicks, and some of them seem too good to be true. Are they?

Answer:

I would be naive to think that riders and trainers will not use a variety of training aids. My first thought would be to divert the reader to my favorite slogan and tag line: “There’s one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge.”

This mindset opens up more than just doors of opportunity, it has the ability to intensify a lifestyle. Just for fun, while you’re sitting at the computer, look up the term “Jaquima to freno.” This will give you a lot of history about training the California bridle horse, which in my mind is the best way to progress a horse to a high level of training using very few tools and a lot of knowledge.

Let Pat guide you through the intricate steps of using your bosal correctly. Download AQHA’s FREE Tying the Mecate report today!

The bridle horse is taken through a training process by the use of different sized and textured bosals tied onto a mecate line known as the hackamore. Next, the process leads up to the two rein. This step consists of two components, a spade bit on a set of romal reins being packed by the horse only (not worked) and a pencil bosal making up the hackamore placed alongside the bend of the bit. Then finally, the horse is advanced up to what is called “standing straight up in the bit.” The bridle-horse process takes dedication by the horseman and years to achieve.

To perfect this style of training, the rider will have to refine his hand, leg, and seat cues. He will also need to educate himself about the mechanics of the horse, such as its footfall.

Developing better hand, leg, and seat cues using the hackamore will give the rider a true feel of his horse. It isn’t meant to be a quick fix; it is a way of life. Pictured is my horse, “Newt,” breaking at the poll in a hackamore. Also pictured is Newt being asked to stop using the hackamore. Notice what a nice soft feel we have going with the hackamore.

Please remember that a horse’s performance is amplified by the rider’s ability to properly aid and cue the horse. Concentrating on horsemanship first will help a rider and his horse much more than depending only on mechanical training aids. There will be a time and need for them later if a problem or trouble occurs.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevent problems from starting by gaining personal knowledge, using good judgment and horsemanship. And always remember, “There is one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge.”

AQHA Professional Horseman Patrick Hooks of Texhoma, Oklahoma