Mike Bridges Book - The Art of Making a California-Syle Vaquero Bridle Horse

The vaquero-style bridle horse is one that is ridden in one hand for all work, and controlled without fingers through the reins. His primary job is to handle cattle, which includes herding, driving, cutting and sorting in a gate. In the roping of cattle, he serves as the engine to pull or as the anchor to hold. At all times, he should be a pleasure to ride. 

It takes five to eight years to build what vaqueros call a 'straight up bridle horse'. This time is necessary to build the strength throughout the horse's back and the rest of his body so he is able to work in a collected frame for long periods of time. His body needs to be very supple with a very high degree of balance and the ability to re-balance within a stride.  It is the training that makes the bridle horse, not the pedigree or type. 

Mike was 70 years old when he wrote this book, published in 2010.  It is no longer in print and these are the last few new copies available.  With his 70 years of working cattle, the miles ridden and the long hours in the saddle, alone or with other buckaroos, was the high school and college time he spent to learn this discipline. The last 26 years of teaching clinics in the USA and in Europe, of imparting the vaquero style, has helped Mike to think through and analyse precisely how he does things in the training of this style of horse which he thinks has made him a better horseman.

Hardback book 185 pages.