Advice on Hackamores

[immybailey]

I've had more horse now 6 months and I'm still struggling to find the correct bit for him. Before I had him he was a barrel racer and never rode English so I had to find new tack for him. When flat work and dressage he is happy in a simple D ring snaffle but when I jump he doesn't respect it. I've had him in happy mouth full cheek bit too and he doesn't respect it and runs away with me. I have also tried more severe bits like a rubber mouthed Pelham and he was better in it for a few weeks but he hated it due to it being a severe bit. Currently he is in a 3 ring snaffle bit (elevator bit) and he is happy in that but I know he isn't comfortable with a bit in his mouth all the time no matter how soft my hands are. I've ridden him without a but before and he went really nicely. SO I would love anybody's advice on hackamores and weather it's worth exploring it.
He has had teeth, back done recently so that isn't a problem.

 

[GirlFriday]

You might want to consider a few different bitless options... A hackamore can be quite severe if he and you get into a disagreement jumping. Personally I like sidepulls (not very different to a headcollar with reins!) as they do very little but they are also unlikely to give you the extra control you are looking for jumping. You might get a few replies says school more and stick with the D ring snaffle too.

Edited to add: one of the 'head hugging ' type bitless options might be useful but I'm not best placed to advise as I've only used those in a RS.

Also... Might it be possible to ride English in whatever his Western bit was if he liked it?

 

[Sleipnir]

Check out the Orbitless. They're a lovely piece of tack, you can switch between various settings of the hackamore or just use it as a sidepull, and the company owner is very responsive and helpful regarding sizing and other questions. My horse has always been bitless, but we switched to the Orbitless about a year ago - horsey and me are now much happier with a shankless hack.

Bitless is definitely worth exploring. When the bridle is fitted correctly, the rider has soft hands and the schooling is good, there's nothing a bitted horse can do that a bitless cannot.

ETA: What is the shape of his mouth? My gelding is very uncomfortable with any bits I have tried and the vet, upon inspection, concluded that his jaw is narrow, his palate - low, and his tongue - very thick. There's simply no room for a bit to sit comfortably there.

 

[Hepsibah]

I use English hackamores with all my horses and have never known any of them to have a problem with it from the word go. Even my youngster goes nicely in one. They don't have quite the finesse of a bit but if you aren't using it for dressage, it shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you fit it correctly: use your usual bridle with cheekpieces a size smaller than usual so the nose strap is not on the nose bone.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...xIzNAhXFyRoKHUXSAegQ_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=619 In this search, the first is correctly fitted whereas the second is not.
Fitted like this, there is no reason it should be considered harsh; it would take a heck of a yank to cause consternation to the horse.

 

[Rhandir]

Do you happen to know what type of western bit he was ridden in ...

 

[huskydamage]

I use an s hackamore for everyday and an english one for fun rides etc. They are stronger than some other bitless stuff so if you are going to try it probably best to go for gentlest one first like a sidepull and see how that goes. (my pony hated the sidepull and cantered down the road with it lol) but each horse is different i guess. Mine hates bits so me for bitless has been an instant cure for chewing,rein snatching, head tossing and annoying faff she did with a bit

 

[immybailey]

I don't think the bit fits comfortably in his mouth, you can always see his tongue even when it's closed, which I need thought about but thank you!!!

 

[immybailey]

I have no idea all I know is he was barrel raced

 

[Rhandir]

I'm guessing that he probably was ridden in a curb bit .. hopefully on a very light contact, by taking a normal contact on the reins you may have unintentionally put too much pressure on his mouth and scared him a little.

Depending on who exactly owned/trained him he may have been ridden either with a very light contact or hauled around the barrels quite roughly.

English and western riding are poles apart, so you might have to consider going back to square one to the snaffle bit and re educate him to fit into his new job description ... stronger headgear may not be the answer.