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

 

[LittleBlackMule]

A lot of people love Dr Cooks bridles, and the retailers will let you trial one before you buy if you are unsure.

A hackamore is no less severe than any bit in the wrong hands - the lever action has the potential to cause severe pain if used harshly, I have heard of horses having the nasal bone actually broken with bad riding.
Used correctly though, it can be an invaluable tool if a horse has problems with a bit.

 

[soloequestrian]

I ride one of mine in an English hackamore. He used to chuck his head up and shake it side to side when he got excited with a bit in. In the hackamore he has a much better head carriage. I suspect it would be quite difficult to do damage if it's fitted correctly - as you say, any bit in the wrong hands can be nasty and I can't see that it's any different with a hackamore.