How to Shape a Bosal
A bosal should be shaped to fit your individual horse. Pick a soft bosal made out of braided rawhide; avoid stiff bosals that are less easily shaped. The goal of shaping the bosal is to have it fit on the horse's face like a hat -- not so tight as to irritate the skin and rub hair off, but snug enough to be comfortable and allow it be the communication tool that it is. You can make your own wood-shaping block, purchase a shaping block from a supplier specializing in working cowboy tack, or improvise using a coffee can or other found items as a shaping tool.
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Instructions
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To make your own wood bosal shaping block, use a short piece of 2- by 4-inch (or whatever size) block of wood is the approximate depth and width of your horse's face halfway between the eyes and the tip of the nose, where the bosal will sit. Fit the block of wood into the bosal and, using the leather strip, wrap it around the outside of the bosal tightening it enough to snug the bosal against the wood block. Slip the end of the leather strip under one of the wraps and pull it tight. When first shaping a new bosal, unwrap it every few days and try it on your horse to see how it is shaping. For a bosal in regular use, it is best to store it hung with the shaping block in place.
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To use a coffee can for shaping, first determine whether the size of your horse's head calls for a large or small coffee can. Place the bosal over the can until it sits around a third of the way from the bottom of the can (the closed bottom of the can provides more structural support than the open top). Wrap the leather strip around the bosal below the can and above the knot, snugging it up as tightly as possible without bending the can.
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You can use other found items for bosal shapers such as small propane gas cylinders (empty!), canning jars (although glass may be slippery and may break, something you don't want to happen in the barn), or anything round or cylindrical that is the approximate shape of your horse's head and is sturdy enough to support the tight wrapping.
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Tips & Warnings
Some people recommend wetting the bosal before shaping, especially the first time. There are mixed opinions about this. Ask the bosal maker from whom you purchase your bosal what he or she recommends.
If you have basic carpentry skills, you can fancy up your wood block by rounding one end and routing a groove along three sides into which your bosal will fit nicely.
You can also purchase a wood block bosal shaper from many makers of working cowboy tack.
References
- Photo Credit Black Horse image by FreeReinDesigns from Fotolia.com
