The California Hackamore Horse - The Art and Science of Making an Old Style California Hackamore Horse

The California Hackamore Horse by Jeff Sanders is a definitive guide to understanding and succeeding with the traditional hackamore, for all riding disciplines. Rooted in six generations and more than 165 years of California vaquero horsemanship within Sanders’ family, and over 265 years of combined experience on both sides, this book preserves a living tradition while making it practical for today’s horsemen and horsewomen. Drawing on firsthand work with 300 to 400 hackamore horses and riders each year through clinics around the world, Jeff Sanders offers rare insight into what truly works, what does not, and why. Blending deep historical knowledge with real-world application, The California Hackamore Horse goes far beyond theory. It provides clear, honest guidance shaped by thousands of horses, countless miles and decades of refinement. The result is one of the most comprehensive and authentic resources available on traditional hackamore use, written by a Californian Vaquero who lives the tradition every day. List of chapters: The California hackamore horse California vaqueros and the military connection How did California horsemanship become soft & light? Cultural connections Thehackamore The passing of knowledge What kind of horsemanship did the Spanish bring to America? Lateral action of the hackamore How the nose button works How the heel knot works Parts & pieces of the hackamore Materials Shaping, fitting and maintenance Myth versus reality Collection Jaw tension & release Groundwork and doubling Weight, seat and leg signals Rein handling Hand positions Rein signals Riding one handed Side movements Shoulder out Shoulder in Hindquarters in Hindquarters out Halfpass Leg yield Sidepass Rollbacks, backup, slide stops Spins, turns on the forehand and pirouettes Circles Lead changes Transitions When is it time to go to the two rein? The California Bridle Horse About the author: Jeff Sanders was born in Merced California and raised on the Central Coast, right in the heart of Vaquero country. Jeff is a 6th generation Californian. He is one of very few teaching the California Vaquero style of horsemanship who was raised in the traditions and is truly a Californio himself. Jeffʼs family has a long history of running cattle and riding stock horses in California, starting over 160 years ago. Jeff’s great, great, great grandfather started working as a vaquero in Petaluma California when he was a teenager in 1854, over a decade before the first big Texas cattle drives. Jeff and his parents took the skills of the old time Vaqueros and applied them, not only on the ranch but also in the competition arena. Jeff credits his as well as his parentsʼ success in competitions to the fundamental principles of old style California horsemanship. Jeff still day works when he is home but is steadfast in his dedication to spreading the traditions of the California Bridle Horse throughout the world. Jeff teaches this style of horsemanship in clinics around the world including US, Australia, Western and Eastern Europe, Israel and New Zealand, and it is his hope that this proud tradition that respects the rider and honours the horse will not just survive, but will once again flourish.