Any tips for riding in a hackamore please?

[Faro]

I've been having lots of problems with my extremely fit, extremely keen and extremely excitable endurance horse recently. Although I've got brakes and can always stop him, during an endurance ride he simply takes hold of the bit, leans, pulls and goes on and on like the Duracell bunny. He will also dive his head down between his forelegs as an evasion when I try to half halt.

This has resulted in us retiring from our most recent ride, as the corners of his mouth had become sore and I wasn't willing to risk making things worse.

(By the way, this only ever happens at events - he's as good as gold at home and I can ride him on the buckle end of the reins, and all the schooling in the world at home isn't going to change his attitude when he gets to an event!)

Anyway, I'm now looking into bitless options, and have acquired an English hackamore to try out.

Thing is, I have never, ever, ridden in a hackamore.

So, please can anyone give me any advice on both fitting the hackamore (have got a pretty good idea on this via Internet research) and also on riding in one. I understand that the rein release has to be pretty immediate, and am I right in thinking that you need to use both reins together to steer?

Any tips/advice would be appreciated please.

 

[cindars]

Not sure if this will help, but used to ride a very forward going part bred arab in a german hackamore, she hated bits, I had to improve my riding got an independant seat, must not hang onto the reins just a light contact, stopping was instant try one out in an enclosed area first, you may find an English hackamore is best I could neck rein but used to always ride two handed. I'm sure you will get better advice that I've given.

 

[ISHmad]

You are spot on re giving a release immediately. I ride one of my horses in a hackamore and he goes really well in it. Hardly ever need any contact at all but have brakes there if needed. I've never used two reins to turn him though, just the one.

 

[jumpthemoon]

I ride my horse in an english hackamore sometimes. I find it is quite similar to riding in a headcollar tbh though ( I don't use one with a curb chain). I ride pretty similar to how I would with a bit, except I have a lighter contact so as not to be putting pressure on the nose all the time. If you steer with your body/legs you should be able to ride almost the same.

I think it depends on the horse as to how effective the English hackamore is - no doubt it works much better with a curb! I find it does the job without for my horse and have done XC in it, but he doesn't pull generally anyway. Good luck!

 

[Apercrumbie]

Not hugely experienced with them but I know enough to tell you that it is essential that you have an independent seat and don't hang on the reins. (As an endurance rider I'm sure you do) You have to be gentler with hackamores than with bits as they are very harsh on their noses. Try her in the school with it, and she will tell you what works and what doesn't. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be able to give you more advice.

 

[Jennyharvey]

Just curious, why a hackamore as opposed to a bitless like a Dr Cooks or a sidepull? Just asking as a hackamore can be very severe on the horse, especially one that can pull. I dont ever like hacking any leaverage on a horse as i dont feel they need it. I feel that if there is some schooling issue whilst competing, there are some issues that could be delt with in an arena.
Just be carefull with it, some horses hate the poll and nose pressure like the way hackamores work.

 

[*hic*]

My top tip would be to try it out in an enclosed place first - arena if you have access to one. Most horses are fine with them but the odd one hates them with a vengeance. In my case it was my ultra sensible horse who went completely loopy with a hackamore on. It was correctly fitted and had extra padding and he took violent exception to it.

 

[Faro]

Jennyharvey - why a hackamore? Only because I've got the opportunity to try one without it costing me anything at present.

Not saying another type of bitless is out of the question - but funds are extremely limited at the moment - so I'm slowly working my way through one option at a time.

And yes, will most definitely be trying it out in a safe place for the first few times!

 

[Sol]

I used one on my Welsh A & then on a TBxConnie - no problems, except steering is a bit iffy. Mare was fine, as she went from weight aids, but stubborn welsh A was a bit harder!
I didn't really ride any differently in it, I like a light contact anyway so barely felt the difference with the hackamore (english) and it did what I wanted

 

[michelleice]

I rode in a English hackamore and upgraded to German mechanical one you need light contact and i found for my old horse it worked wonders (highland x connie with no breaks)

Remember the first time they may fight it but as long as you are gentle you will be fine

no having a go for no helmet this was years and years ago i wear one now!

 

[Silverspring]

I rode in a English hackamore and upgraded to German mechanical one you need light contact and i found for my old horse it worked wonders (highland x connie with no breaks)

Remember the first time they may fight it but as long as you are gentle you will be fine

no having a go for no helmet this was years and years ago i wear one now!

OMG you're lucky you never fractured your horse nose with that hackamore so low. Couldn't give a s**t about the lack of hat, it's your dense skull but I assume since you're posting such a horrific picture you still have no idea how to fit a hackamore, please learn how to or get someone with half a clue to do it for you.

 

[Silverspring]

To OP, I had the same problem with my endurance horse and use to change to the hackamore at crew points then change back to the american gag, had to interchange as the hackamore wasn't as effective and my shoulder blades would feel the brunt of her pulling.

Tip would be i) your steering won't be as good, it's not that the horse isn't listening it's that the aid isn't as clear. ii) they can learn to duck behind the pressue esp when stood still, bit of a nightmare at junctions etc but I never had any problems with her doing it when going forward. iii) as with all bits make sure it's fitted properly, if it's too low you risk serious injury to the bones or at least reduced intake of oxygen.

That's all I can think of right now, keep us updated on how you get on!

 

[jodie :)]

OMG you're lucky you never fractured your horse nose with that hackamore so low. Couldn't give a s**t about the lack of hat, it's your dense skull but I assume since you're posting such a horrific picture you still have no idea how to fit a hackamore, please learn how to or get someone with half a clue to do it for you.

dense skull? perphaps that is a rather harsh comment on someone you don't know....

i ride an anglo arab in a hackamore which is perfect for him, he's uber forward going but its more comfortable for him than a bit which hurt the sides of his mouth and caused nasty wounds Ride like you would normally ride and just get used to how hard you can squeeze etc. i hope it works for you

 

[michelleice]

yes it is low this was first time i had him on it and it was pointed out to me that it was to low! just before we set off and was adjusted accordingly however i have no other picture of him with it on and none of him in the German one as he passed away few months later

not going to lower my self to you so keep your name calling to your self