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Lady of Shalot View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Lady of Shalot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hackamores
    Posted: April-20-2006 at 4:56pm

Hello! I'm new to the forum.. found you guys on Google, and saw some of
my questions already answered while browsing through!

I'm curious about hackamores. My colt turned two in April, I've already
had a bridle (bitless) on his head and saddle on his back. I just
barebacked him at a walk around the pasture today, and he was SO good.
Didn't care at all! (Please excuse my proud gushing, lol.)
Anyway, I like the idea of a hackamore better than using a bit for him,
even though I ride with an english saddle. I don't do a specific discipline
and I don't believe I will. In any case, do any of you know a good place to
buy a complete one for him? I've read that they need to be carefully fitted
for individual horses and have seen mostly just the nosebands for sale.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

-Victoria
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Sarcastique View Drop Down
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Posts: 79 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sarcastique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April-27-2006 at 4:12am

I would think you'd need to go to a tack store for a custom fit.  But I warn you, the bosal type hackmore really isn't for the inexpereinced horse.  You need some good solid training (with a bit) before using one.  Your horse must be able to neck rein and work off your leg.  If you have to get harsh with a hackmore, you're really getting harsh on the horse.  It is better to start off with a bit.  The horse is young and accepting to new things (and if not you're still big enough to get him to accept).  Have to bit train a horse at 4 (the age most breed associations require a curb bit) is not a fun project. Start with a big old rubber covered D and then once your horse is going well, then you can use a hackamore.

Unless this horse will always... I mean without a doubt... live with you it should be bit trained.  If you ever have to sell him, rides in a hackmore is not a selling line, especially if it's all he goes in.
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equestrianohsix View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote equestrianohsix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April-27-2006 at 11:03am
Actually, I wouldnt start with a rubber covered Dee... most of them are too big for a young horses mouth and make it uncomortable for them. A simple single or double jointed snaffle with copper inlay or of sweet iron are usually good starter bits (Dee rings or Full cheeks are most common).
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Wild Fit View Drop Down
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Posts: 130 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Wild Fit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-29-2006 at 4:47am
Your horse doesn't necessarily need to know how to neck rein to use a hackamore.  Laura Chapot rides Little Big Man in competitions in a hackamore and definately isn't neck reining that guy.  I was the judge at a cross coutnry fence at the horse trials for my stable and several people were using hackamores for cross country.
 
If you wanted to try a bit I would use a single jointed D-ring snaffle with the copper inlay, or even without.
I did not see Secretariat. I did not see Affirmed or Seattle Slew. I did not see Man O' War. I did not see Citation. I do not remember Cigar. But I saw Barbaro, and love him for his gallantry. RIP
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Posts: 706 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dream_Merchant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-29-2006 at 8:17am
Hackamores can be great for some horses - although others cannot accept them too well.
 
If you have been riding around with a bitless bridle, then it sounds like he is comfortable without having a bit in his mouth at all, which is a good start.

Having a bit in to get the steering set in concrete would be a good suggestion I could make, just use a soft bit, even a copper one to help encourage saliva and to "mouth" the bit to keep their jaw relaxed.

If you really want to steer clear of bits altogether, then I definately suggest starting off by using the hackamore in a small area and get your boy used to the simple commands. Remember though, you don't have a good solid turning aid with a hackamore as you do with a bit in their mouth. Hence why training with a bit first off to get your boy used to leg aids to help turn etc would be helpful.

Horse's do adapt to them pretty well - as long as you keep in mind that they are a powerful piece of tack and you need a light hand on them - they also don't give you very much of a "feel" of the horse's mouth so it makes it hard to judge the level of contact you have on the rein. So you could be pulling away quite heavily and not realise it as easily as you would with a bit.
 
Once he gets used to the turning signals and using your legs to help him to turn and understands that, you can slowly take him out into bigger areas.

Good luck!

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txcowgirl View Drop Down
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Posts: 12 		Post Options Post Options   Quote txcowgirl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January-04-2008 at 10:41pm
and by the way if you use a Hackamore in the wrong way on a horse it can cause a horse to lose teeth
txcowgirl
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cowgirl_20 View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote cowgirl_20 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January-07-2008 at 9:36am
I, like you, never liked the idea of bits. I started training my 5 yr old, (then 2) in a hackamore, and I have to say, I'm not making much headway. She turns (neck reins, turns around leg pressure), backs up, walks, trots, and lopes a little. And that's about it. Trying to teach her balance, control, and all that is getting frustrating. I don't feel like I'm gaining control of her at all. When she lopes, her head is up high, instead of down and relaxed.

So, I decided to switch to a snaffle. I've had many recommendations on this. The contact of a bit teaches the horse control, balance. A hackamore just does not do that. I haven't started my mare in the snaffle just yet, but as soon as it warms up I will. But while your horse is in training, I strongly advise a snaffle. While I don't have any experience with it, I do have experience with a hackamore, and I can tell you, it doesn't work for training. But, I do ride my 14 yr old gelding in a hackamore. And he's awesome with it. I guess he was trained in it. But, he doesn't have much suppleness in his body. Like, in giving to pressure. And that can only come through contact with a bit.

Start training your horse in a snaffle. Teach him to give to pressure, teach control, and balance, then and only then, when he can control himself and keep balance throughout his body at all gaits, and when he is listening to your body commands, switch back to a hackamore.
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kitkatbar93 View Drop Down
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Posts: 31 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kitkatbar93 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February-14-2008 at 12:23pm
people think that a hackamore is nicer than an actual bit but honestly it isnt hackomore are not bad but you have to learn how to use them and plus a bit is only as bad as the hands behind it.  hackamores are nice if you horse is always good but if you hold it you can cut off the air flow and restrict him from breathing.
yes i probably do like my horse more than you
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Picapepper View Drop Down
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Posts: 389 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Picapepper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April-04-2008 at 7:19am
I'll throw my opinion in here, too. 
 
Start your horse in a snaffle bit.  But, don't use a 'cheap' one!  Purchase the best one you can find.  (I've paid $65 to $85 for a good snaffle.) 
 
Some people think a $24.95 snaffle is OK for their horse.  But, I don't.  And since you can ride a horse their whole life in a snaffle, why not purchase one that will last that long and that the horse likes better?
 
Since there are multiple types of snaffles and riding disiplines, you may want to get some individual help with the style and fit of a good snaffle.
 
Don't use a rubber covered snaffle bit.  Most of them are large, clumsy and taste aweful to the horse.  Thus, they fuss with them way too much to be learning.
 
I have 4 rubber covered snaffle bits.  I use them to hang potted planters around the barn!!
 
Once your horse is supple and safely responding to pressure, control and listening to you, then you will be able to make a choice about hackamores or riding with a halter, for that matter...
 
You can train your horse to be VERY soft in the mouth with a snaffle bit.
 
Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.
 
Cheers,
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Jazz3314859 View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jazz3314859 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-16-2008 at 1:25pm

hi i really need help, i have an 8 year old arab gelding and hes great, he has alwys been really soft in the mouth and i have frequently rode him in a halter.  We recently moved to a new barn that has 300 acres of riding area, including huge open areas.  My hold barn was really small with only an outdoor arena to ride in, so i never had to worry about him taking off but with all this room he has already done it once.  I dont want to use a bit because i find him alot happier and willing to work when we ride in a halter but for saftey reasons i want somthing a little stronger than a halter.  Any help would be great

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
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LadyLilo View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote LadyLilo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-21-2008 at 10:49pm
Hi there Jazz,
I do a lot of ground work before I ride, so I currently use a halter as well, but I also have some rope hackamores that I love.  You can get them from pretty much any tack shop that sells Natural Horsemanship stuff or order them in from online.  They're essentially a rope halter with reins.  They usually come with mecate reins and a lead, but can be transfered into two reins if that's preferred.  Here is a page where you can see them.
 
I know what you mean about the horse being much happier without  a bit.  I rode a mare one winter that spooked at everything and was impossible to catch when I rode her in a snaffle, but when I switched her into my gelding's hackamore she was really relaxed and happy to work for me and would come when she saw me waiting at the fence.
 
Hope that helped some!
-Lady Lilo
"If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you always got." -Unknown

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