Pages

How to Tie a Bosal

11/11/2013

A bosal is usually used for controlling young horses so they won't become hard-mouthed when learning to turn their heads according to the rider's directions. However, bosals are also used on older horses and can be handy when letting an inexperienced rider take the reins. This article will teach you how to tie a makeshift bosal and rein. Practice tying this before you actually need the bosal so you don't get frustrated. Enjoy!



Edit Steps



  1. Place the middle part of the rope behind your horse's ears and let the rest fall to the ground. Make sure that the divided parts of the rope are equal in length.

  2. Bring the two ends up under the horse's chin and criss-cross the ends. Then bring the criss-crossed ends of rope up over your horse's nose and criss-cross once again before bringing the rope's ends back under the horse's chin again. Make sure you have a criss-cross above and under the horse's chin. If your horse's skin gets irritated by the rope, tie the handkerchiefs, making sure the knots face away from your horse's skin.

  3. Take both rope ends dangling and hold them both in your right hand. In your other hand, hold the rope sections that are immediately outside of the criss-cross underneath the chin. Form a loop with the rope in your right hand, making sure the rope crosses over the rope sections in your left hand.

  4. Pull your rope underneath the circle and pass the ends of it through the hole. Once they are completely through, pull the knot gently toward criss-cross under the horse's chin. (Sometimes this is called a double overhand knot.) It should tighten very snugly against it. The ends of the rope to the left are the reins; drape both across the horse's withers to use as split reins or you can tie them together.

  5. In a very traditional bosal tie, there is a "third rein" that acts as a lead rope or a lunge line if needed. Simply tie another piece of rope around the rein knot and loop the free end over the saddle when not in use.



Edit Video



Edit Tips



  • Don't make the criss-crosses in step 2 tight.

  • Only use soft rope.



Edit Warnings



  • Do not use abrasive rope; it will cause your horse to get sores.



Edit Things You'll Need



  • Soft rope

  • 2 handkerchiefs






Article Tools




Labels: