Are hackamore's harsh?

[katie_and_toto]

I know it's a bit of a 'a snaffle can be just as harsh as a pelham in the wrong hands' sort of thing But my mum used to ride her pony in an English hackamore and says it was fab!

Toto is very fussy in his mouth, he's only really comfortable in a Myler. He's in a hanging cheek low barrel snaffle for everything at the moment, and a drop noseband. For fast work or xc he has a D ring correctional port with a grackle. I'd like to try him bitless for jumping, he would probably stay in the Myler for flatwork though, as he does dressage with my sister and you cannot compete bitless. Toto isn't strong at home but can be sharp and spooky out and about, and with hacking. He tries to get his mouth open when he's in a silly mood, and crosses his jaw when xc'ing, hence the drop/grackle.
I've been riding for 6 years now and have quite light hands. Toto is pretty sensitive and I ride him mostly with voice aids, I don't really use my reins that much at home! I thought about the Dr.Cooks cross under bridles, but I can't imagine him liking the 'head hugging' action of it. Would you say I should English Hackamore or an Dr.Cook/Scawbrig etc?

Thanks

 

[katie_and_toto]

Bump

 

[jinglejoys]

Malaga's is a rope hackamore and he gets on with it

 

[Boysy]

No not harsh at all, my mare does everything in hers, i've yet to find a bit that she is happy with and i've tried quite a few over the last 6 yrs. I do pad out my noseband with another fleece to make it even more comfy for her. She works very well in it, has excellent brakes and makes lovely shapes in her lateral work with it. She has xc, sponsored rides, showjumped and enduranced in it, only thing she hasn't done is dressage and thats because we can't do it bitless, mores the pity.......

 

[spotty_pony]

As your mum said, a Hackamore is only as strong as the rider using it. I wouldn't have thought he would like the poll and nose pressure though if he is sensitive, although you could give it a try. I'm personally not a fan of Scawbrigs as they can be very fiddly to fit, etc! Have you ever tried him in a pelham or a small gag?