English Vs German Hackmore?

[xxcharlottexx]

Sorry if i sound really stupid but was wondering if you lot could answer a few questions for me?

whats the difference between the English and German hackmore?

Do they have different actions on the horse?

why would you choose one over the other?

Does anyone ride in one.... do you find them effective?

thanks

xxx

 

[aimeerose]

my mare goes in a english hackamore for hacking (or did when i had her - she out on loan atm)
i used the english one as thats what i had floating about!! i find itd a more 'in and down' action that the gernam which can be quite 'lifting'

i found it a very nice, gave good feel but required a light hand as the way the head peice and noseband attached gives massive leaverage, the german hackamores have longer straighter shanks and depending on the make can be stronger or lighter, engligh mad ones tend to be quite 'floppy' in the way the shanks are attached so that you have to pull a long way untill leverage is created, german manafactured ones tend to be tighter so less pull is needed and due to the length of shank the leverage you get it lots.

hope this helps - its only based on my experiances of using them tho so i stand to be corrected

 

[lucemoose]

I jump my boy in a german one, when I schooled in the english it felt like I was just in a headcollar! Plus the little cheeks didnt fit on his head as nicely as my german which just wraps around.

 

[pixiebee]

im sorry but i cannot stand german ones, those shanks are hideously long and my god i bet they could do some damage!! english hackamores on the other hand i found to be much more effective, ive even seen those do some damage though with rough hands!

 

[Foxglove]

The English Hackamore is considered to be the milder of the two. It does not have such long shanks therefore the poll pressure is less. It also generally has a much wider noseband which will also distribute pressure over a wider area. However, the shanks are not fixed at the bottom and will crush the jaw when any pressure is put on the reins.

The German (and there are many different types available nowadays) has always been considered the more severe. Obviously the poll pressure is greater, but you don't get the crushing effect. With an old fashioned german hackamore it is possible to put the cheek peices directly onto the noseband, therefore eliminating all poll pressure. The newer, lighter versions like the Sprenger Kombi are very effective on anything particularly strong or fussy in the mouth.

I have used both and definately prefer the german versions. They are only as strong as the hands holding the reins and it does take getting used to as you must ride more with your seat and legs. I have never found a problem with steering but again this is down to how the rider uses their seat.

The most important thing with any hackamore is fitting. If it is too low on the nose then you risk inhibiting the breathing and too high can make the action restrictive.

Not all horses take to them and they are probably one of the most misunderstood peices of equipment available.