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In old California, in the days of the vaqueros, the Hackamore, Two-rein and straight up in the Bridle was the procedure. But in the Great Basin, the snaffle bit was typically used first, followed by the hackamore, two-rein and then straight up in the bridle. The reason was, with the developing of the new land, hundreds of thousands of driving horses and Army Remount horses were needed and were required to be handled in a snaffle-bit.
People and horses with less experience can usually get the job done better with a snaffle bit. The ways of the vaqueros took much more experience and skill. We can start our horses in the halter or hackamore to give our horses a better understanding, and at the same time we can get a better understanding because we cant be as forceful and intimidate the horse the way we can with a bit in their mouth.
“If you want to improve your horse you can try changing the bit you use. If you want to improve your horsemanship try changing the use of your hands.” Martin likes to use this traditional gear because he wants to learn how to develop more feel and understanding instead of by passing the opportunity and using the quicker methods as a short cut. In the end, he believes a better horseman will develop if we try to learn to adjust to the horse instead of the horse having to adjust to us.
Being a horseman and braider Martin has maintained some of the old time traditional design and function of the "jaquima" with shorter nose buttons to give them better balance, blocked heel knots which fit the horses jaw better and do not pinch the end of your hair mecate which allows the wraps to lay better. The nose bands are not raised to allow a better fit to the conture of the horses nose and allow more contact with the inside of the bosal or hackamore.
All of the leather products on this website are made by Custom Saddle makers, and is the same variety as used by Martin Black. Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery of gear. Gear listed is usually in stock, special orders may take longer. If we do not have the item you ordered in stock we will let you know aproximately how long it will take. Please email us for special orders or call 208-337-8438. Please use the PayPal button's provided to make your purchase. Thank you! |
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Choose Shipping Method You must choose one for your order to be shipped! |
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$15 USPS Standard
Shipping |
$25 USPS Priority or
International Shipping
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| Tradtional Rawhide and Kangaroo Bosals Handbraided quality bosals for show or daily use. |
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![]() Detail of 16 plait 1/4" bosal, rawhide and kangaroo. |
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![]() Detail of 16 plait 1/2" rawhide bosal. |
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All Rawhide |
Rawhide & Kangaroo |
All Kangaroo |
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| 1/4" 12 plait with 16 plait noseband | $135
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$165
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$205 |
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| 3/8" 12 plait with 16 plait noseband | $145 |
$175 |
$215 |
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| 1/2" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $160 |
$190 |
$240 |
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| 5/8" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $170 |
$200 |
$250 |
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| 3/4" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $180 |
$220 |
$270 |
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Hackamore/Bosal Hanger These are hand braided on your hackamore or bosal by Martin and they each have a slightly unique pattern. You must purchase a bosal in addition to the hanger. $50 |
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| Rawhide Reins and Romal Handbraided quality reins and romal for show or daily use |
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![]() Kangaroo 12 plait romal reins. |
![]() Detail of 12 plait kangaroo reins. |
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![]() Rawhide 16 plait romal reins. |
![]() Detail of 16 plait rawhide reins. |
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| All Rawhide | All Kangaroo | ||||
| 8 plait | $225 | -- not available -- | |||
| 12 plait | $325 | $475 | |||
| 16 plait | $500 | $675 | |||
| Santa Ynez | $700 | $925 | |||
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Leather Rein Connectors (Pair) For 7’ romal reins $15 |
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| Mane Hair Mecates Please specify in an email the color mecate you wish to purchase. Available in any color combination. Colors are sorrel, white and black. Types of color patterns are solid (all one color), barber pole (bands of solid color) or mixed. Below are some samples to help you describe what you are looking for. For Barber Pole and Mixed mecates, colors can be divided into thirds. |
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Mixed: 1/3 white 1/3 white/sorrel 1/3 sorrel |
Mixed: 2/3 black/white 1/3 white/ sorrel |
Barber Pole: 1/3 white 1/3 black 1/3 sorrel |
Mixed: 2/3 white/sorrel 1/3 white/black |
| 15' | 22' | ||
1/4" |
$75 | $80 | |
3/8" |
$80 | $90 | |
1/2" |
$85 | $100 | |
5/8" |
--not available-- | $110 | |
3/4" |
--not available-- | $120 | |
| Rawhide Reatas, Ropes and Hondas | |||
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Rawhide Reata - 75ft with Fancy Hondo $600 |
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50' nylon xxs 3/8” ranch rope $50 |
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50' nylon xxs 3/8” w/rawhide hondo $115 |
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Fancy Rawhide Hondo $65 |
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| Bridle Bits Information coming soon! |
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| Spurs | |||
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Silver-inlaid Spurs Starting at $325 Call for availability 208-337-8438 |
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| Miscellaneous Leather Goods and Accessories | |||
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Bridle Chin Strap $10 |
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Hackamore/Bosal Hanger These are hand braided on your hackamore or bosal by Martin and they each have a slightly unique pattern. You must purchase a bosal in addition to the hanger. $50 |
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Iron Rein Chains (above) $45 Ball Rein Chains (below) $20 |
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Leather Rein Connectors (Pair) For 7’ romal reins $15 |
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5/8” Brow-band or Double Split-ear Headstall With stainless or brass hardware $75 |
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Small Breast-Collars Measures 12” on breast plate, fits horses from 600-1100 lbs $70 |
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| Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery of gear. Once you have placed your order please email us for estimated deilvery date. If the color/size doesn't work for you please send it back and we will work with you to find just the right piece of gear for you. Please use the PayPal button's provided to make your purchase. Thank you! |























