Western Folks - Bill Black?

[PaintedMonkey]

Anybody own one of his bosals? Or other paraphernalia?

I ordered romal reins from him back in August and he called to say he’s getting ready to tie the knots and they’ll soon be on their way to me… I’m super excited! But, I am the only one at my barn that rides western / has a bridle horse [side note: you CANNOT claim to be “western” if you show up in a synthetic saddle. Or if you have scissor snaps connecting your reins directly to your bit - ugh.] Alas, I digress…

… is there anyone out there that can share in my excitement?! Perhaps tell me all about your Bill Black garb so I can get even more pumped?!

[monstrpony]

Not familiar with his work, but getting a pair of hand made reins is a real joy! I got a pair when I was young and managed to keep them thru my eventing and dressage days, and have now gone back to the horsemanship that values this style of riding. And find I have a museum piece in my tack room!! Hopefully, yours will be the same someday.

Anyhow, I do appreciate your excitement–maybe some pictures when they arrive?

ETA–just checked out his web site, looks like really nice stuff!

[coloredcowhorse]

He makes awesome stuff! Congratulations. Be sure and ask him (if you don’t know) how to care for them. Well made hand made tack is always going to appreciate in value if well cared for. And it is designed to use…gets better as it get used. You’re gonna love this stuff!!

[PaintedMonkey]

Thanks guys!

He said they’ll ship out Tuesday, so I should receive them by Friday at the latest. His recommendation on care was just some diluted Dawn dish soap and a little scrub brush on the rawhide when it gets that nasty sweat buildup, but obviously not get it too wet. I was planning on using them only for special occasions and shows, but he was telling me how they’re meant to be USED! so now I feel like I should use them everyday or I’m not doing him any justice! I also learned that these are the first kangaroo and rawhide ones he has ever made. I figure when I’m old and moldy, I can take them to Antiques Roadshow. Or, like monstrpony, find a hidden gem in my tack trunk decades down the road - how cool!

I don’t get how english riders get so excited over off-the-rack bridles, but not hand braided reins?! Weirdos!

[monstrpony]

So yours are kangaroo? Can be treated more like any other leather, but there’s always Vaquero Rawhide Cream, really takes good care of rawhide and not bad for leather. I take a little daub, warm it in my hands and work it in with my fingers.

Back when I first got my reins, the maker said to use goose grease (mine are all rawhide; took for-ever to break in, but they are like butter now–40+ years later ;)). My Mom actually did a goose for Christmas dinner that year so I would have some real goose grease. He also suggested Fiebing’s saddle soap, and I used that for years. I hate to admit, mine also had some years of neglect–no longer!

[threedogpack]

is he any relation to the trainer Martin Black? He’s a hackamore trainer.

[aktill]

I’ve been riding in one of his 5/8" bosals for about a year now, which along with a Doug Krause mecate makes for a pretty darn nice hackamore. Needless to say, after this experience, I think my snaffles will be gathering dust for a LONG time!

Makes great gear…really easy to care for, and amazing to use.

If you look at the Icelandic in the foreground on the 4th photo in this group, you can see our setup:
http://www.winningstrides.com/Caldwell%20Clinic%202010%20495_merged.pdf

Have fun with your gear!

[Pat9]

You might ask him to sign on the inside of the romal - some artisans are doing that now, making it much easier to attribute their work later on. Fortunately reins are easy to sign. Bosals would be impossible.

[aktill]

[QUOTE=Pat9;5376065]
You might ask him to sign on the inside of the romal - some artisans are doing that now, making it much easier to attribute their work later on. Fortunately reins are easy to sign. Bosals would be impossible.[/QUOTE]

Actually, Bill has a maker’s stamp with his name on the spacer block embedded in the heel knot. His name is pretty easily visible.

[CDE_Driver]

He is a good friend of my husband’s. Bill is no relation to Martin. We have several of his pieces.