Double Bosalitas have been around as long as the standard hackamore. They were often depicted in Charlie Russell paintings of the early californios/buckaroos. The double bosalita is a bit fuzzy in it’s history, it was not the standard equipment for the Californios, nor the neighboring Charros. With the ranching industry growing in Oregon and the Buckaroos becoming more their own distinct group, the double bosalita experienced a surge in popularity. It is more of a buckaroo piece even being used in ranching outfits in Canada.
They are in a sense, all in one training tool (hackamore, two rein, and get down). Because of their sleek design, they fit comfortably as an under-bridle in a two rein. Because of the flatter nose button and more surface area, one could offer more support to their horse going into the two-rein...many bosalitas do not fit the horse’s needs nor provide the support needed.
The center strung part is not aesthetic! It breaks the horse at the poll very nicely as well as possessing an amazing release because of all the weight being behind the point of suspension. In addition, it keeps the two-rein more sleek. Side strung bosalitas can sometimes get lopsided and crowd the headstall, this one will not.
The conchos are also not just aesthetic, though they do look fancy. They hold the center strung in such a way where it can be looped over the ears. This means no more forlock tie, which can fall off...or have no forlock to tie to. They use friction to hold the leather in place and allow great, easy adjustability for different horses.
The Double Bosalita also works independently as a training hackamore. Once again, the surface area and flat nose button allow the bosal to be used as an independent training rig after the first few rides. Some trainers even use double bosalitas right after starting the colt with a loping hackamore. In a number of Charlie Russell works, double bosalitas are seen used with a fiador and browband, this was because it was the equipment of choice back then. It also made use of what the buckaroos had very nicely. Many reatas break, they just do…and now the buckaroo is left with 80ft of reatta and a 15 ft piece. What could he do? He could easily fashion it into a double bosalita with a nosebutton and heelknot. The reata is stiff and heavy, and he gets to feel better about not wasting his near and dear reata.
Written by Johnny Flores or Johnny Flores Horses - Artisan