Hackamore's - Do you use one?

M

moneypit1

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 January 2007
Messages
2,246
Location
North Devon
Visit site
As title really, do you use one and what were your reasons for doing so? Fly has always snatched at a contact and sometimes won't open his mouth to accept the bit. I have spent a year trying different bits. (teeth fine by the way). Have tried hackamore for last two days hacking out and he has been so much more relaxed. Mind you, did spook when I put it on, silly s**. Early days though, not convinced on brakes issue for one. Interested in all your experiences.
 
I have just started using a Dr cooks bitless, found it really good helps with pickles hacking a lot. In the school I still use a bit as he won't work correctly in a Dr cooks
 
sorry to hijack post but .....

I have a similar problem, H is a nightmare to bridle, sadle and teeth are fine, he puts his head high in the air as soon as he sees a bridle and then tries to wriggle head away once bit is in !!! he also leans and trips a lot when riding, would this help me ?? bridle is fine in size and bits do not pinch

Have tried the libbys scrawbrig before but did not trust it, for breaks or turning so would really like to try a normal hackamore, other issue is he has a very big head and nose, would they adjust enough to fit him ?
 
I had the exact same problem with Penny. It got to the point where I literally couldn't get her bridle on. Vet came out the next day and guess what... two wolf teeth to come out. So I got a hackamore so I could keep riding her while her mouth healed. I could technically put a bitted bridle on her again but much prefer how she does in the hackamore. Breaks are certainly not an issue but you do need to ensure that you have very soft hands as it is a harsh 'bit'. The only minor issue I have with it is steering isn't as great. This is a renowned problem with hackamores so we are doing lots and lots of steering with legs exercises. I will put her back in a bit at some point but not till she is totally happy with having the bridle put on (we're getting there slowly).

So all in all, I think they are great if used by the right people and for the right reasons. Just be aware that you have to have independent hands to use it. All in all my girl is a much happier Penny in one.

PS: And yes, they are fully adjustable.
 
I had this prob with my lad for a while,thought hackamore was the only option,on speaking to few people,i hadnt really given him chance to adjust(when i backed him he was brill with the saddle but hated the bridle,No probs with him at all i.e teeth etc)!!It took a long time for him to accept the bit but he has now(well he has for a long time as he is 12 now,lol) and will only have a french link,hackamore was ok but i personally didnt like it!!
Have you not got a bit bank locally???There are hundreds of bits out there!!!Trial and error,snatching may just be because he dosnt like the particular bit he has in!!!
smile.gif
 
Have you checked mouth conformation???ie:does he have thick tongue or low pallet etc???
Tried h in a rubber straight bar and he couldnt close his mouth,lol!!
 
he can't have happy mouth or the other ones as he chews them and they are thicker than wha he has at the moment

which is either a NS Tranz or demi loose ring lozenge or a jeffries revolver eggbut
 
Understand the chewing through thing,lol,but before opting for a hackamore,have a good look round,obviously the thinner the bit the more severe,but too thick may not fit in mouth???This is why i asked about mouth conformation??Have you tried a french link???Alot of horses really like these and there are lots of different varients,one i have just bought is fab,cant remember what you call it,lol,will have to look it up but it dosnt matter which way it is fitted as it has the same shape all round,horse loves it!!!
 
I use a hackamore (english one) on my pony. He was always a pain to ride with a bit - the stronger the bit the harder he pulled and when I first bought him he was in the bottom ring of a dutch gag and still had no brakes. He'd throw his head around in transitions, hold his head up permentantly and wouldn't go in an outline for anyone.

He was ridden in a snaffle up until February when my vet suggested I tried a hackamore since I said that he always went better in a headcollar than a bridle. I'm so pleased I did as we've gone from this:

Image7-5.jpg


to this:

Image3-12.jpg


In literally about 1 1/2 hours schooling just through changing from a loosering snaffle to a hackamore.

I've jumped, hacked out and been out in the lorry with him in the hackamore and I've had better brakes, better steering and an overall far, far more willing pony than I've ever had. Definitely worth a shot in my opinion
smile.gif
 
I have ridden in english hackamores on and off for around 20yrs. the lady who taught me to ride and who I later worked for had one for nearly every horse, so we could ride in either that or a bit. I found that some on the stronger horses worked better on the flat in them than when they were bitted as they did'nt have a bit to fight against.
We were always careful about who rode who in what bridle and we only had a select few who were hacked out in them.
I personally think they are a very useful piece of kit to have, Idespite my experience with them I have ridden my boy in one once and have said never again!
 
I had a mare a few years back who would not accept the bit so I rode her in a hackamore (English) She went fantasticly wel in it. Like others have said the rider has to have good hands, they can be very severe if used poorly. I didn't find I had stearing problems in it and even though she could be a bit mad at times, especialy cross country, I had brakes as she never felt strong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top