Indian Bosal

[Uma]

Hey Everyone,

I've been recently researching bit-less options for my horse Vega and came across the Indian Bosal. Basically it's a rope/leather hackamore-like device that goes around the nose and crosses under the chin, putting pressure on the opposite side of the face when direct reining is used. Looks like this...

http://i22.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/aa/eb/a0de_1.JPG

It's surprisingly hard to find any information on these interesting little devices but I think they sound worth looking into. I was wondering if anyone on here has used them before. I would like to know both the pros and the cons to using them and I would like to hear about the successes/failures you have had with them.

Also, I would like to know who out there sells the best Indian bosals. I've found some that are priced at $15 or $20 but there are others that are closer to $50. What's the difference? What should I be looking for when picking a good Indian bosal.

I've been corresponding with one lady that sells them and she is sending me some samples of the rope she uses to make them. I'll tell you how that turns out.

Thanks for you help.

Uma

[No_Angel]

Hi, I haven't tried one but have considered it, the only thing that worried me about them is that they might not release well, especially if you have weighted reins (clips on them)
Maybe the leather ones would release better?

[Harry Hobbes]

The "Indian Bosal" is another incarnation of the now popular "bit-less bridles," which are (generally) intended to replace (or preclude) use of a bit.

Although an interesting name, the "Indian Bosal" is functionally equivalent to many of the extant leather cross-under bit-less bridles, such as the "Dr. Cook."

These devices differ from the original Vaquero Jaquima (with bosal) in intent: the bit-less bridles are used in lieu of a bit; whereas the Vaquero Jaquima was (and is today) used as an initial training step on the road to training the horse to go "in the bridle." (Resulting in a "true" Western bridle horse that "neck-reins," such as a California Spade-bit Horse. ) The jaquima/bosal doesn't replace a bit; rather, it prepares the horse for the bit.

You can see both side-by-side here: http://www.outwestsaddlery.com/html/bosals____mecates.html, traditional Jaquima ("Full Rigged Hackamore") on the left; a bosal for a bit-less bridle on the right.

Materials

The low-cost bosals tend to be made of man-made materials, such as nylon. These are certainly serviceable, but nylon has a nasty way of "burning" (and sometimes cutting) flesh, including fur-covered flesh if someone applies enough pressure that the horse resists.

In addition, some of these have a steel cable as a core underneath the outer wrappings. Steel, being rather inflexible will prevent the bosal from "shaping" to your horse, resulting in "wear points" on the high points of the horse's face, and has the potential to cause significant damage from misuse.

High-cost rawhide bosals have been traditionally used because rawhide softens (through usage), and can be shaped, and has less proclivity to burn flesh. These typically have a rawhide core rather than a steel cable, although some manufacturers of "inexpensive" rawhide bosals use steel cores.

Latigo leather bosals are the most expensive because the material is softer and more flexible than rawhide; and prettier. (Presuming a rawhide core.)

Cost (to You)

Traditional bosals get more expensive as the number of plaits (i.e., strings woven together) increase. This is because a 32-plait bosal is much harder to construct than an 8-plait bosal. Then there is "eye-appeal," which also drives up price.

The low-cost bosals are so because there is not much craftsmanship (i.e., construction time and effort) in them, and the materials are also low-cost. (But they still are serviceable.)
...What should I be looking for when picking a good Indian bosal.Presuming you are interested in light cues, then look for the following:

1. Soft material, especially on all contact points.
2. Flexible, shaping to the horse's face. (Look for the "shaping block" on the web site referenced above.)
3. Inner core that is NOT rigid/hard. (I.e., no steel/metal.)
4. Light weight.
5. Natural materials, such as leather (and its variants: rawhide, Latigo) that will not abrade/burn.
6. Built and sized with "stoppers" so that it cannot compress fully on to the horse's face when the human pulls on one or both reins. (That is, it can compress only so far and no further, and that is not enough to fully compress on to the horse's face.)

The bit-less bridle pictured in your post appears to be constructed with a (man-made materials) rope core and covered with dyed natural twine (Sisal?); and the hanger made of nylon. However, it appears that it can compress down (like a noose) on to the face, so be wary of such a device. As such, it shouldn't abrade your horse with cautious use and light cues.

Best regards,
Harry

P.S. A Google search for "indian bosal" renders URLs to lots of suppliers. Caveat Emptor.

[Uma]

I thought of lack of release thing but the model I'm looking at has metal rings on the side of the nose that you pull the ends of the boasl through and I'm wondering if this will have better release than rope loops. Below are the pictures of the different Bosals I'm considering.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ohmandy88/IMG_3137.jpg
This is the one with the metal rings, the ropes don't look quiet as firm in this one as the others but I'm not sure if that's a good things or a bad thing. The makers of this one are sending me rope samples, so we'll see. http://www.crazyropes.com/

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ohmandy88/9fb1_1.jpg
This one costs about the same as the one pictured above but I'm not sure about the quality. They use glue to keep a lot of it together and they don't have the metal rings. I've asked them to send me some rope samples as well but so far they haven't responded. (This is the same model shown in my first post. http://stores.ebay.com/MJMAYS-BITLESS-WONDER-BOSAL

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ohmandy88/ea_12_sb.jpg This is the most expensive of the three but they also clam to be "The Best" (That's there only justification for the price so I'm not so sure... I've haven't gotten around to e-mailing them yet). http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnoblecaptain

I would love to hear your opinions. If you know of any other good ones out there please let me know.

Uma

[Uma]

Thanks for the info Harry Hobbes, I didn't see your post before I posted my last one.

I'll consider everything you've mentioned.

Uma

[wedney]

Although an interesting name, the "Indian Bosal" is functionally equivalent to many of the extant leather cross-under bit-less bridles, such as the "Dr. Cook."


The cross under bridles apply pressure around the whole of the head (nose, jaw, side of face, poll), indian bosals only apply it around the nose so functionally they are different.

There can be some issues with release so light hands are needed. However many horses go well in them, if you have a sensitive horse though the tightening action might be too much.

I would always go for comfort so look for softer rope and thicker nosebands to spread the pressure more. And look for ones that look well made, Price isn't always an indication of quality with indian bosals.

[cvb]

Did you find Lodge Ropes' site ?

http://www.freewebs.com/lodgeropes/hackamoresbitlessriding.htm

I have a half-bosal I can clip on to a headstall. And we also have an enduro for my mother's little pony.

I also have a "proper" bosal - but I haven't ridden in it that much as I found I needed to be much clearer with my cues, especially for turns. And Fi and I have had other things to deal with in the meantime (getting her sound being one !) so I didn't want to confuse a horse (with my cues) who was already trying so hard.

But this was a rider issue rather than horse.

[Uma]

I've seen Lodge Ropes products before and like what I've seen. Sadly I live in the USA so shipping from Australia is kind of high for me at the moment. Someday I would like to try their Enduro Bridle on Vega but I can't do that right now.

I got the rope samples from CrazyRopes.com today. I am very impressed with the quality of the ropes. She sent me three different sizes, 1/4 inch which she makes the bosals out of, and 1/2 and 5/8 inch which she makes reins out of. All three sizes are very soft but strong, I've been tugging and pulling and whacking the ropes around all afternoon and they seem to hold up very well. I dissected the ropes to see how they are made, they have two braided layers, a softer inner layer and a firmer outer layer. They are very soft and comfortable to the touch. Her 5/8 rope almost seems to mold to my hands like a gel cushion, yet at the same time it seems to care energy very well.

I'm very pleased with the ropes, now I just want to know what the bosal is like. I think I might just ask her some more questions straight out about some of the things mentioned (pressure release, etc.)

Has anyone here used Crazy Ropes products before?

Thanks for the input everyone,

Uma

[wedney]

I have a crazyropes bosal, but I also have the other one you showed with the contrasting binding.

My friend has a crazyropes bosal bridle that her horse seems to well in it. my horse doesn't though. She has to wear an Enduro as she cant stand anything tight round her head.

Uma - would shipping be any better from the UK for an Enduro?

[cvb]

I am guessing the issue with Australia is not so much shipping as the dollar conversion ? which would probably mean UK is equally bad. I know I've shipped a number of things from Lodge Ropes to the UK and it has been as cheap or cheaper than locally made stuff :D (plus I got to specify what I wanted)

[Blue_Butterfly]

I use a crazyropes bosal, I love it. It is great!
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa20/bostonianbutterfly/HorsesWeLove/SarahRebel2-2.jpghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa20/bostonianbutterfly/HorsesWeLove/SarahRebel-2.jpg
I have nothing but praise...But it is a bit different if you arent used to using one...you do need to direct rein so if your used to neck reining, it is a change, but easily done. and you really dont need very much pressure.. you must be very gentle with the hands. This is the second horse I have used this Bosal on and I have to say, it has been great with both. Neither one had a hard time catching on.

as long as you use it correctly.. as with any product, when used wrong it can have the opposite effect then intended. I love mine. so does the horse!
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa20/bostonianbutterfly/HorsesWeLove/SarahRebel-1.jpg

Debbie, from CrazyRopes was very good, the shipping was very reasonable, the price was great and the quality is VERY VERY good! I have NEVER had any issues with rope burn...I got the extra metal for easier sliding, I NEVER have a problem with it not releasing... it is VERY good. I highly reccomend this bosal to anyone wanting to go with a bosal it is very very nice and she can make it in just about any color you need. I chose black and red because I figured it would stay cleaner longer and I could use it on any horse I needed to without it clashing LOL. I also grabed a nice pair of Roping reins I had Debbie make to match the bosal and they are perfect and very comfy! LOVE THE SET will be back to buy from her again!!! GO FOR IT and get a crazy ropes Bosal I bet you will not be sorry! I am so glad I did.

[LodgeRopes]

Hi CVB & Wedney, thank you for the mention, it is appreciated.

Uma, i see you are in the USA, a good mate of ours in Utah makes a nice Indian Bosal and they are very reasonably priced and come with our persanal promise that you will get good service and quality. Johnette Curtis at www.horsearoundtack.com, vist her website and email, say Rob from LodgeRopes referred you and Johnny will say something like "tell that #*#*# he owes me $20" ......only joking. Johnny is a lovely lady.
Johnny also has some champion horses with pic on her site.

Just for the record, shipping on an enduro bridle & rein by airmail, 1-2 weeks, to your door would be US$19.10.
This time last year the aussie$ was US$0.80cents, today it is US$0.96cents, so we do know that it is dearer for you to buy from OZ due to currency exchange rates.

We had a long play with this current style of indian bosals, the design is simple, but watch for slow release of pressure on versions with rope loops instead of rings. We dont/wont make them as they have no limitation on the constriction that can be applied, so they do not meet our requirements for LodgeRopes products ( i know that sounds soo pretentious, but we feel that as a maker. we should consider what 'could' happen to a horse if the bridle is used by uneducated hands).
Any bitless bridle that has constriction aspects can be a problem for a rider that rides with contact. The constant pressure can get the horse leaning into the bridle and you can feel the horse getting heavier in your hands.

Harry, thank you for great links... I just lost 45 minutes scanning the pages :)

[Uma]

Wow, I haven't been on here forever! Thanks to everyone that posted while I was gone.

Yesterday I rode my horse for the first time in a long time. I've been gone out of state working all summer and haven't done any training with Vega during that time. So yesterday was the first time I've ridden him in months. I borrowed my friends Indian Bosal and I was amazed at how well Vega went in it. He did not resist at all. Typically the snaffle seems to worry him and he fiddles with it in his mouth. But without a bit to worry about all he had to do was focus on what I was telling him to do. I have already taught him how to give to nose pressure on the ground so he instantly knew what to do when I pulled on the reins. I was thrilled! Vega is a very green horse and is extremely nervous when there is a rider on his back, but yesterday seemed like the first truly positive ride I've had on him in a long time. I am definitely ordering my own Indian Bosal today.

I think I'm going to go with the crazy ropes bosal since I've already seen the quality of her ropes.

I'll tell you how in continues to work out.

Uma

[LodgeRopes]

Uma,
Crazy Ropes do some nice gear so you should be OK with the bosal.
One thing, CR state they use polyester braid covered with marine polypropylene outer cover. Polyprop has some characteristics that make it good for marine use but has one major problem, it has very poor UV resistance and breaks down quickly exposed to direct sunlight. The rope becomes stiff & brittle and the surface develops a whitish powdery appearance, this is the uv breakdown of the braided cover.
So do not leave the bosal in sunlight when not being used, keep in a tack box or cupboard not hanging on a post or rail.

have fun & ride safe
Rob
LodgeRopes