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Written and Illustrated by Gail Hought Although a horseman might not recognize Gail Hought's name, chances are he's familiar with her art prints, particularly her how-to, instructional series about hackamores, or maybe he's read one of her will-illustrated feature articles about such gear. Perhaps he has seen Hought's bosals and braiding on display or attended one of her workshops. No matter---the full range of her talent is on display in The Art of Braiding: The Bosal, which follows her first book, The Art of Braiding: The Basics. Hought's an artist, and it shows in every page of her book. Excellent illustrations, most in color, demonstrate every step in the braiding process, from gathering the necessary tools to finishing the product. Materials, core preparation, plaiting, nose and side buttons, and heel knots are addressed, all in an easy-to-follow manner, which is somewhat difficult to do with such a complex subject. However, the difference is in the details when it comes to such work, and Hought tries to make mastering the details as simple as possible for the reader. Throughout, she features plenty of helpful hints and special notes to call your attention to potential problem areas, and both hints and notes are boldface and easy to spot. For good measure, Hought includes instructions for tying the mecate on the newly made bosal. If you consider only that this is a spiral-bound paperback, the book seems a bit pricey. If you're looking for solid instructional material and the benefit of Hought's experience, you'll feel you're getting your money's worth and then some. |