How to Tie a Mecate to a Bosal
The mecate is a rope traditionally woven from the hair of a horse's mane or tail hair. This rope attaches to the piece of a horse's training headgear called a hackamore. The headgear includes a leather nose band known as a bosal. The mecate is tied to the bosal in a way that allows the rider to easily adjust the band's fit around the horse's muzzle; it also provides the rider with both a loop that can be held by the saddle, and a free end for leading the horse.
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Instructions
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Hold up the nose band horizontally so that the knotted heel is to the right side of a "V" shape. Thread the mota-the tasseled end-of the mecate over the back and into the V shape so that the tassel hangs down.
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Leave the tassel in place. Draw the piece of the mecate hanging from the back toward you. Wrap it up and over the where the tassel sits in the nose band. Twice is enough for most horses.
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Hold the wrapped place in your right hand. Make a loop large enough to go around the horse's head, and to reach six inches past the rear of the horse so that the loop can serve as reins.
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Pull up the rope's tail end and insert it through the last wrap. Pull it to a snug fit at the correct distance underneath the horse's jaw.
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Adjust all of the wraps to an even and tight fit by following the direction of the wrap and working them toward you.
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Use the free length to lead the horse and the loop as reins, or hang it over the saddle horn to keep it out of the way.
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Tips & Warnings
Today's mecate ropes can be made from a soft, double-braided nylon which does not irritate the horse.
This headgear-rein combination is useful for leading beginning riders because of the ease with which the rope can be adjusted.
Most often, the mecate's diameter is no more than one-eighth larger or smaller than that of the noseband itself.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit horse image by milemarsovac from Fotolia.com
