Dennis Zeringue

 
  When I speak of vaquero style horsemanship, I am referring to the horsemanship of the California vaquero. This style of horsemanship originated in early California. The environment of early California consisted of a mild climate and an unhurried lifestyle. Early California was known as the land of mañana. There is always tomorrow. This environment allowed the vaquero to hone his horsemanship skills to a level of refinement. The vaqueros took great pride in their horses, as well as their skills as horseman and vaqueros. The word vaquero simply means cowboy. The goal of the vaquero's training was to produce a trigger reined cowhorse. Without the cow, there can be no vaquero style horsemanship. Without the cow the horse is simply a trail horse traveling from point A to point B. At the same time, without the touch and stop, and touch and turn response to the reins, there is no vaquero style horsemanship. The vaquero style uses finesse, not force. The vaquero style uses signal, not pressure. The rider must possess knowledge of the way in which his horse thinks, and how he responds to different stimuli. He must also know the biomechanics of his horse, the importance of timing and balance. The knowledge that the horse must be allowed to complete one movement before he can begin the next movement. For example: The horse must be allowed to come to a complete stop before he is asked to turn. In the vaquero style, the rider does not rush the training of his horse. It takes as long as it takes. Depending upon the amount of riding, it can take from two and a half to three years to train a horse, from day one until the horse is straight up in the bridle. Vaquero style horsemanship requires discipline and dedication. Not discipline of the horse, but discipline of the rider, self discipline. Vaquero style horsemanship requires dedication to the horse. This style is not for everyone. This is not for the lazy or narrowminded. It is not for the person who thinks his relationship with his horse should be one of master and slave. This is not for the person who thinks he must "show him who's boss". To succeed with this style, one must possess desire, knowledge, and skill. 

(Hackamore To Bridle)

  The process begins with the hackamore and mecate. The hackamore is a noseband built of braided rawhide. The mecate is a twenty two foot rope of twisted horsehair which when tied to the hackamore, forms a closed set of reins and a lead. Mecates vary in diameter, with 1/2" and 3/8" being the most common. In general, we begin with a hackamore of 3/4" in diameter and in time, transition down to a hackamore of 1/2" in diameter.
  The next step is the "two rein". In the two rein stage of training, two sets of reins are used. In the two rein we use a bosal and mecate. A hackamore is 1/2" in diameter and larger. A bosal is 3/8" in diameter. A bosal is designed to fit under a bridle while a hackamore is not. In the two rein a bosal and mecate are placed on the horse. Then a bridle is placed over the bosal. The bridle consist of a headstall, a spade bit with leather curb strap, and a set of braided rawhide reins. In the beginning the rider uses the bosal and mecate to signal the horse while the bridle reins swing loose without contact. In time, the rider will use both sets of reins simultaneously. Finally the rider will use the bridle reins without the aid of the bosal and mecate. When the horse can be ridden straight up in the bridle, the mecate reins will be removed. At this stage a rope of about sixteen feet will be passed through the bosal and tied around the horse's neck with a bowline knot, to be used as a lead. The horse is never lead or tied by the bridle reins. To do so will cause pain or injury to the horse's mouth and ruin all the time and work you have put into this horse.
  Straight up? In the beginning, while in the hackamore, we handle one rein at a time. Handling one rein at a time allows the horse to put slack in the rein through lateral flexion. With time, and the right training, the horse will learn to respond to the rein. As the horse becomes more responsive, both the right and left rein can be handled simultaneously, with one rein longer than the other, a direct rein and an indirect rein. In time the horse will reach the point where both the right and left rein can be handled evenly (the same length) without causing any negative effects. This is called straight up in the hackamore or straight up neck reining. Straight up in the bridle refers to riding in the bridle without the mecate and bosal, using only the set of bridle reins. When a horse can be ridden straight up, whether in the hackamore, the two rein, or the bridle, it allows the rider to ride one handed. Riding one handed is the goal and the distinction, of vaquero style horsemanship. This allows the rider the ability to use a rope, which was an essential part of a vaquero's work.  

  Vaquero style horsemanship produces an extremely light and responsive horse, that is unmatched. These horses stand out in a crowd. They have a form and style about them and the way in which they work. Using vaquero style horsemanship on a horse from start to finish will produce an exceptional horse, but it is not limited to the untrained horse. Using this style on older horses will bring about improvements. Even horses that have been ridden by heavy handed riders can show improvement. Using this style will prevent a lot of problems and vices. It can also help to eliminate or lessen them in older horses. Using vaquero style horsemanship will open one's mind to learning and increase their awareness. It will improve their horsemanship skills of timing, feel, and balance. There is nothing magical about vaquero style horsemanship. It is not a cure all. It will not solve every problem with every horse. It is simply a collection of methods and techniques based on sound principles of horse psychology and biomechanics. The results you will get from using vaquero style horsemanship will depend upon the dedication and hard work you put into it.  

  In 1991, I was working in Grant County Feeders in Ulysses, Kansas, when Norm Wright sent me a young filly to ride. This filly had about ninety days of hackamore training on her and had never been on cattle. This filly was so light and responded to the rein so well that I could use her to sort cattle in an alley. To those unfamilar with sorting cattle in an alley, it is very fast work, touch and turn. This was my first experience with vaquero style horsemanship and the hackamore. I was hooked. I had ridden some real good cowhorses, but none responded to the rein like this filly. I purchased a copy of Ed Connell's "Hackamore Reinsman" and began studying and practicing the methods described by Ed Connell. All of my horses lightened up. I also learned how to handle stiff neck, cold jawed horses and runaways. My horsemanship improved far beyond my previous level. I am always open to different methods and techniques, but in over twenty years, I have not found anything to replace vaquero style horsemanship.

Books by Ed Connell
"Hackamore Reinsman"
"Reinsman Of The West Bridles & Bits"
"Vaquero Style Horsesmanship A Compilation of Articles and Letters"

  These books are not "how to manuals" for the inexperienced horseman, but if a person has some experience, has an understanding of horses, and has common sense, then these books are a great source of information. For those who lack experience, I highly recomend you seek out someone, who is experienced in vaquero style horsemanship, to serve as a teacher and mentor. For those of you who do not have common sense, I recommend you stay away from horses.

To purchase these books, you can contact:

Martin Black

www.martinblack.net 

To learn more about Ed Connell you can visit:

www.hackamore-reinsman.com