My 15 year old gelding is grey, so he has many melanomas. The dentist came earlier this week and said that he now has them in his mouth. The bit could be hurting his mouth, so I wanted to see if I could switch to a hackamore. I didn't know which kind of hackamore to look at. Here is some background info:
Ash retired from eventing this year. He wouldn't be showing higher than elementary level, in which case, he would probably have a bit (he gets a little energetic when he sees cross country). I've been riding him in just a halter with lead ropes, instead of a bridle, and he's been great. I took him on the trail, and jumping. The only thing I can't do is dressage, which is fine because neither of us like it very much. Ash IS NOT the kind of horse you can just wiggle a rein and he starts turning. You have to be firm in your asking, or else he just ignores you (thanks to him being a lesson horse for beginners...) I don't want anything big and nasty that will force him into doing what I want. At this point in his life, we will just be doing trail rides and a little bit of jumping, since he loves it. What kind of hackamore should I use? Sorry if I didn't give enough info- I'm not sure what else is important : ) Is there anything else I need to do before finding a hackamore?
Have you tried a soft sidepull as a first option? If speaking stricktly of hackamores, then I prefer the LG Zaum bridle (or its' ripoff - "the flower hackamore"), and I've been recommended to try the Little S hackamore. I also always choose soft, flat leather nosebands over rawhide or rope nosebands, and simple leather or padded chinstraps over curb chains.
I've been looking into this a lot lately, and I bought a bitless bridle that I love. I got it for cheap and had to do some modifications, but the most common one that I've found that everyone seems to love is Dr. Cook's bitless bridle.
I used to use a mechanical hackamore, and it works awesome for stopping, but as for turning, it sucks. And, the more I read, the more I came to understand that hackamores can be very harsh on the horses nose, sometimes even breaking the nose bone if pulled hard enough.
If turns are your main area for a strong cue, I agree with Saranda, about a sidepull, or a bitless bridle.
I haven't used a bit on any horse in over a year. I don't think I'll ever go back to a bit, because every horse I've used a bitless bridle on has been amazing.
My preference for a hackamore is the traditional one with a rawhide bosal and horse hair mecate, having said that however I will say that if your horse has always been ridden in something like a snaffle bit something like a side pull would probably be your better option. I have never used one but from looking at them and guessing at the mechanics off them they probably resemble a snaffle bit more than a traditional hackamore would, I'm sure there’s plenty of people on the forum who could give you good advice in how they work. But my guess would be that even if they resemble a snaffle bit in their action you will probably still need to introduce the new piece of equipment reasonably gradually; expect to have to start off from some pretty slow and basic work. Also if you have had some trouble with the horse being a bit heavy headed due to it being a lesson horse you might be able to take the opportunity to lighten it up in the new bit of head gear. As for breaking a horses nose with a hackamore, anyone who goes and does that deserves to have their hands broken; if anyone ends up pulling that hard on a horses head to get it to do anything they have made some pretty catastrophic mistakes further back down the line.
As for breaking a horses nose with a hackamore, anyone who goes and does that deserves to have their hands broken; if anyone ends up pulling that hard on a horses head to get it to do anything they have made some pretty catastrophic mistakes further back down the line.
I totally agree with what you said. I wasn't trying to say that it is common for people to break noses with hackamores, but I have read that it has happened a few places. I can't imagine how hard you would have to pull, or why you would EVER pull that hard...but sometimes people just....don't get it, I guess.
Thanks for all the input! I'll be looking into a side pull since turning is important. Stopping isn't a main concern because he would rather stand all day than walk any where. You take leg pressure off for more than a few strides, and he's stopping, except for on cross country- then he never stops. I think he will stay in the gag bridle for cross country, just because I don't trust him that he will stop.
I own the Micklam competition bridle, and I'm pretty sure that can turn into a bitless bridle. What is the difference as far as control on a bitless bridle vs. a hackamore? I don't want to spend lots of money on a new bridle because he is only being ridden 3-4 times a week and is no longer competing or in training. I'd just pick up what I find on consignment, but I want to know what to look for if I have choices.
What do you mean by control exactly? I've never had problems turning or stopping or backing up, cuing with the reins the same as with a bit. However, I don't do dressage or any specific riding. I just play for fun. I don't know how precise it is for more advanced riding.
I wanted to know what the difference is between bitless and hackamore. I know some bits do different things like they taste different, or they move a diffreent waay, and it gets the horse to drop it's head. I was wondering how bitless was differnt that hackamore. It turns out that my bridle can turn into a bitless bridle, so I think we will try that. My friend also has a jumping hackamore. What is your opinion on jumping hackamores because I'm going to try it this weekend
I've seen jumping hackamores that are mechanical and some that are not. If it is one that is not mechanical, I bet it will work lovely...something like this
That picture is exactly what it was. My friend offered to let me try it tomorrow, but I'm going cross country schooling, so I'll have to wait untill Saturday or Sunday.
I've seen international jumpers using an english hackamore. It has shorter swept back shanks than the western hacks and uses a wide leather with fleece noseband which is adjustable. I think Chick's sells them so at least you can get an idea of what they look like.
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Horse Forum
3.4M posts
92.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!