Vaquero Horse Training Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about the hackamore or the vaquero tradition, it’s important to go to the right sources. You can find off-the-rack hackamores around in tack stores, and plenty of trainers have some familiarity with them. But there are only a tiny handful of masters who really understand this tool.

TRAINERS

To get the most satisfying result with your horse, and to learn the tradition in its most authentic form, I recommend going to expert trainers and clinicians. Here are three I really like:

• Garrick Pasini, Orland, CA
• Martin Black, Bruneau, ID
• Mike Bridges, Oregon and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest

LITERATURE

If you just want to read up on the hackamore, you can’t do better than these three titles:

• The Legendary California Hackamore & Stock Horse, by Bobby Ingersoll
• The Art of Hackamore Training: A Time-Honored Step in the Bridle Horse Tradition, by Al Dunning and Benny Guitron, with Deanna Lally
• Hackamore Reinsman, by Ed Connell

EQUIPMENT

Vaquero-style horse gear, including the traditional silver-inlayed bits and spurs, rawhiding, and saddles, can’t be found in your average tack store. Here are two highly reputable saddlery shops that sell the real deal. They can also direct you to other independent artisans, like Bill Black, who often don’t sell through retail stores.

• J.M. Capriola Co., Elko, NV
• Tips Western, Winnemucca, NV
• Martin Black, Bruneau, Idaho

CULTURE

The Great Basin Buckaroo culture is largely unknown, and under-appreciated. Dip into this fascinating well of Americana and learn about ranch rodeos and other events in the Great Basin by visiting the Buckaroo Hall of Fame, in Winnemucca, Nevada.