Books Of The West
Historical Text Books


Author - Ed Connell
Circa 1934 - Nevada

HACKAMORE REINSMAN and
REINSMAN OF THE WEST - BRIDLES & BITS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lennoche Publishers
Hackamore Reinsman
Reinsman Of The West Bridles & Bits
Vaquero Style Horsemanship
Web Site: www.hackamore-reinsman.com

 

HACKAMORE REINSMAN and REINSMAN OF THE WEST - BRIDLES & BITS are historical text books and were especially written for the cowboy and the serious horseman. My father started writing HACKAMORE REINSMAN on the Quien Sabe Ranch in Tres Pinõs, California, April, 1946 after having been urged and encouraged by my mother; without her, these books may never have been written. She encouraged him to write what he knew. Once he started, it became almost an obsession. My mother was also responsible for naming his books and felt that they needed a romantic title. I can recall him typing by candlelight on an old typewriter. It was finally completed in October 1948. It took almost three years to find a publisher for HACKAMORE REINSMAN…no one wanted to take a chance on it, as nothing like it had ever been published before. Jim Draper, publisher of Horse Lover's Magazine put well known Western Artist, Randy Steffen, in touch with my father. It was finally published in Cisco, Texas in the spring of 1952. Arrangements for publication were made by Randy Steffen. REINSMAN OF THE WEST was written while I was in high school in the mid to late 50's and was published in March, 1964. It was amazing to all of us that he never had a draft whereby he could make insertions or corrections. All his knowledge was entirely in his head, and he typed everything down one time only, step by step. Rarely did he ever have to go back to add or change anything, and he had become quite adept at typing with his index fingers.I have been told numerous times that when Ed wrote HACKAMORE REINSMAN, he made the assumption that the rider was considerably experienced and already had more than a basic understanding and knowledge of horsemanship. This is true. Those with less experience may find these books advanced…they should be with someone who understands these methods.He has stated in his books and articles that his books are for the amateur as well as the professional. It is my personal opinion that the interpretation of the definition of amateur has changed over the years. In those days the amateur had some experience and knowledge behind him. Today the amateur for the most part is a rank beginner who is in the throes of learning everything from the very beginning. These books are not for them…yet. But they can be in the future with practice, dedication and understanding. They are MANUALS OF INSTRUCTION only.HACKAMORE REINSMAN must be read, re-read, and studied very carefully. Dad wrote in a style that is conducive to understanding…he wrote as though he was talking to you personally. His English wasn't perfect, but that is the way he spoke. In 1995, I republished HACKAMORE REINSMAN, because the original publisher retired. It is the first half of the training process and REINSMAN OF THE WEST - BRIDLES & BITS is the second half. It was imperative that the hackamore book be kept on the market. Without it, REINSMAN OF THE WEST would be difficult to comprehend and understand.REINSMAN OF THE WEST is published by Wilshire Book Company in California. There had been some missing sentences and printing errors in the hackamore book, and it needed to be corrected and made more presentable. It is the same book. When I spoke to some of Ed's friends and a few cowboys, they all said that they hoped I would never change his writing. The fact is I couldn't, as I would not have known nor understood how.