- Fiador (tack)
A fiador (IPAEng|'fiədɔɹ) is an accessory on some
hackamore s andbridle s, and use of its characteristicfiador knot is also sometimes seen on certain designs ofhalter s. It is used as a type of throatlatch. A fiador runs from the poll, under the jaw, and attaches at thenoseband orbosal . It is generally characterized by the presence of thefiador knot used at the point where several cords come together. [http://www.freewebs.com/lodgeropes/customwork.htm Example of a fiador.] Web site accessed March 19, 2008]tyles
The fiador has distinct styles in different parts of the
western hemisphere .North American styles
In Mexico and in English-speaking North America, the fiador is attached to the bridle headstall via a common (shared) browband, and its extension piece always is tied to the bottom of a noseband on the bridle. Although in Mexico this fiador is used on both bitted and
bitless bridle s, in the United States and Canada it is used only on a bitless bridle known as a hackamore (jaquima). This style of fiador functions also as a throatlatch, and its leading function is provided by the "leading rein" of themecate . This style of fiador is often made of cordage and tied in afiador knot at the throat. [http://www.freewebs.com/lodgeropes/customwork.htm Commercial web page illustrating a fiador.] Web site accessed March 19, 2008]outh American style
In South America, the fiador often has its own
browband and is worn over a bitted bridle; the extension piece is either a short loop or a long lead rope. The browband, if present, is the only part of the fiador to touch the bridle, and the fiador is not in any way attached to the bridle.Fact|date=May 2008Origins
The word "fiador" in Spanish has numerous senses, all related to safe-keeping.Fact|date=May 2008 In the equestrian sense, it refers to the component incorporated into a bridle or halter, but always fitting closely around the neck and having a portion by which the horse can be held. Fact|date=August 2008 Although this equestrian sense sometimes is regarded as originating in Mexico, [Watts, Peter Christopher (1977) A Dictionary of the Old West, 1850-1900; Knopf, 399 pages. Page 131.] it may have originated in Argentina. The word appears in a 1911 dictionary of "argentinismos" [Segovia (1911) page 414.] and the fiador is described in wide use in Argentina prior to 1860. [Terrera, Guillermo Alfredo (1970) "El caballo criollo en la tradición Argentina." Plus Ultra. 484 Pages. Page 256.]
Construction
In South America, a fiador is usually made of the same material as the rest of the halter or bridle, or of rawhide, and is fixed with a knotted button and button hole.
In North America, a fiador is usually made from rope or cordage. Materials used may include horsehair, rawhide, cotton sash cord, or nylon. Cotton or nylon rope of approximately 6mm diameter is the most common material. It runs behind the ears, over the poll of the horse, then joins under the cheeks with a
fiador knot , or occasionally aMatthew Walker's knot . There are two loops on the front end, and a loop and two tails on the back. The double loop runs forward to the heel knot of the bosal, where it is traditionally attached using what sailors call thebottle sling . [ [http://www.moonrakerqh.com/tack/gfx/breaking-hack.jpg
] ] [ [http://www.knotworkn.com/knots_Lashings.html Knots and Lashings: Fiador Knots] ] The double tails from the backside of the knot pass over the poll, where they are passed through the remaining loop in asheet bend near the left cheek of the horse.Uses
In North America, a fiador is used most often on the
bosal -stylehackamore to stabilize the bosal on the horse's head. It is most often used when starting young horses with a heavy bosal within the "California" or "vaquero" tradition, and used throughout the hackamore phase of training horses within the "Texas" tradition of Western style riding. [Miller, Robert W. "Horse Behavior and Training" Big Sky Books, Montana State University, 1974, pp 125-134.] Adding a fiador to a hackamore stabilizes the equipment on the head of the animal. [William Foster-Harris (2007) "The Look of the Old West: A Fully Illustrated Guide," Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 316 pages, page 252.] Abosal adjusted low on the horse's nose requires the fiador for proper balance, [Miller, Robert W. "Horse Behavior and Training" Big Sky Books, Montana State University, 1974, pp 125-126, 134.] and also makes it easier to handle the horse on the ground when using the lead rope end of the "mecate" three rein system. A horse is not tied with a hackamore, even with a fiador, but rather, the fiador prevents the headgear from falling off the horse's head.In
Argentina , a fiador is often used on both halters andbridle s, [ [http://www.laquerencia.com.ar/site/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=877 Argentine online tack catalog] ] often together with afrentera . InSpain it is also used on bridles. [Boletín de la Real Academia Española, volume 8, 1921, Page 361. "FIADOR: ... Es la correa que, unida a las laterales de la cabezada, envuelve la garganta."]On rope
bitless bridle s, the fiador is used with amecate or reins are attached to thenoseband and the fiador forms a free loop, left hanging below the chin, to which a third rein can be attached. [ [http://www.nungarknots.com.au/Pages/content/Catalogue/catalog.pdf Australian online tack catalog] ]References
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