So, growing up in the 60’s and 70’s in Montana, we rode our horses with a handmade bosal and a very long rope attached which we called a McCarthy. The rope was long enough that we could tie our horses up with it when we got off. This just seemed pretty normal to me and as a little kid, I could get the headstall on myself without much trouble. Later when we moved to bridles, we still used that thing and just had a bunch of reins. Did I do this properly? I am sure not. But I had a lazy and patient old horse. Move ahead over 50 years, and as an older rider who is emerging from classical dressage, I am interested to returning to this equally classical way of riding and riding in western dressage and working equitation. What sources are there where I can get good instruction on introducing a horse to the bosal and mecate? I have a 5 year old Friesian cross who is just getting going. very sensible and willing and quiet. Goes nicely in a snaffle but is not as soft in his body as I would like.
So are you wanting to ride two rein, where your young horse is primarily relying on the bosal but he’s also wearing a bridle and slowly transitioning to it for cues?
Or do you want to ride him in just a bosal (no bit/bridle)?
Here’s one source:
This magazine/website has lots of great stuff. This is just from a quick search. Have a look!
(I am not affiliated, just a long-time subscriber and fan.)
Thanks for asking. I am still learning what my options are to make a finished vaquero style dressage horse. I had a PRE and rode him in classical dressage (doma classica) and then a Hanoverian whom I rode also in straight USDF dressage. This horse I hope to do a lot of working equitation on as well as dressage, both USDF style and WDAA style (or else cowboy dressage). He is a baroque style horse and very uphill. I am still learning how to navigate how to use a bosal in the long run/. He now comes nicely (relatively speaking) in a snaffle but is still in my regular (not Western) dressage gear. I am gettin my western saddle in about six weeks or so.
Thanks!
Unfortunately, that traditional two rein, California or vaquero style has become sort of a lost art. I think it’s due to the love of expediency in our society. But there are definitely professionals and some great amateurs who’ve kept that tradition alive. In fact, AQHA and NRCHA (national reined cow horse association) still have two rein classes.
If it were me, although magazines, DVDs and videos are great, there’s nothing like getting the information firsthand. I would encourage you to find a professional in your area who trains two rein or bridle horses and connect with them for training and lessons.
https://www.aqha.com/-/team-wrangler-tips-riding-in-the-two-rein
The classic book on the subject:
https://www.abebooks.com/Hackamore-Reinsman-Connell-Lenoche-Publishing/32118111356/bd
Have fun!
Thanks. Yeah, this is what I am talking about. It still exists in Spain. I went there for the SICAB (Festival of the Pure Spanish Horse) in about 2011 or so and was amazed at what I saw.
I used to have that book! 
Thank you. Ordered.
