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. Our braiders are working as fast as they can, but since we are not willing to compromise on quality, some of our rawhide and kangaroo items will have to be special ordered. Therefore please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery of gear. Other gear listed is usually in stock. 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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$10 USPS Shipping to within the United States |
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$25 USPS Shipping to Canada |
$40 USPS Other
International Shipping
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| Tradtional Rawhide and Kangaroo Bosals Handbraided quality bosals for show or daily use. |
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 Bosals left to right: 3/4" all kangaroo, 5/8" rawhide & kangaroo, 1/2" rawhide, 3/8" rawhide & kangaroo, and 5/16" rawhide. |
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All Rawhide |
Rawhide & Kangaroo |
All Kangaroo |
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| 5/16" 12 plait with 16 plait noseband | $145
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$175
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$225
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| 3/8" 12 plait with 16 plait noseband | $155
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$185
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$235
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| 1/2" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $165
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$195
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$245
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| 5/8" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $175
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$205
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$255
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| 3/4" 16 plait with 16 plait noseband | $185
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$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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  12 plt 7' rawhide reins. These are the most popular reins we carry, great for work or show. |
  16 plt 8' rawhide reins. Just a little fancier than 12 plt |
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  16 plt 7' Santa Ynez - 16 strands split into 2 small 8plt reins, this allows the reins to lay side by side flat in your hand while holding a rope. They are very decorative with the Ortega buttons. |
  12 plt 7' roohide reins- Very soft and pliable yet as strong as rawhide and more resistant to moisture. |
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  8 plt 8' reins - Working reins, not as pliable but sturdy, |
  16 plt 7' Santa Ynez 16 strands split - into 4 small 4plt reins, this allows the reins to lay side by side flat in your hand while holding a rope. They are very decorative with the Ortega buttons. |
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| All Rawhide | All Kangaroo | ||||
| 8 plait | $275 | -- not available -- | |||
| 12 plait | $350 | $475 | |||
| 16 plait | $500 | $675 | |||
| Santa Ynez | $750 | $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 black, brown, white and grey, please specify the main colors you desire. Types of color patterns are Barber Pole, Some Spots, Lots of Spots, and Calico. Below are some samples to help you describe what you are looking for. |
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 Mecates left to right: Barber Pole, Some Spots, Lots of Spots, and Calico. |
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| 15' | 22' | 24' | |
5/16" |
$75 | $85 | |
3/8" |
$80 | $95 | |
1/2" |
$85 | $105 | |
5/8" |
--not available-- | $115 | $130 |
3/4" |
--not available-- | $125 | $140 |
| Rawhide Reatas, Ropes and Hondas | ||||
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Rawhide Reata - 65ft with Fancy Hondo $600 |
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50' nylon xxs 3/8” ranch rope $60 |
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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 Pictured below are all the bits we have in stock. |
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HandMade Snaffle Bit $90 |
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Bridle Bit #1 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #2 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #3 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #4 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #5 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #6 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #7 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #8 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #9 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #10 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #11 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #12 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #13 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #14 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #15 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #16 $350 |
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Bridle Bit #17 $350 |
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| Spurs | ||||
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Silver Inlaid Spurs #1 $350 |
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Silver Inlaid Spurs #2 $350 |
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Silver Inlaid Spurs #3 $350 |
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Silver Inlaid Spurs #4 $350 |
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| Headstalls - All silver is solid sterling, not sterling overlay and is hand engraved by John Hyde. | ||||
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 Headstall #1 $1000 |
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 Headstall #2 $750 |
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 Headstall #3 $425 |
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 Headstall #4 $325 |
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 Headstall #5 SOLD |
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 Headstall #6 $550 | |||
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 Headstall #7 $425 |
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 Headstall #8 $775 |
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 Headstall #9 $310 |
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 Headstall #10 $550 |
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 Headstall #11 $800 |
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 Headstall #12 $325 |
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| Miscellaneous Leather Goods and Accessories | ||||
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12" hand-made iron rein chains with swivels $65 |
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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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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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| 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! |