Hackamores

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Holloa

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Hi everyone! I need some advice......
Had a manic weekend of riding.... got up at 4.45 on sat morning to get ready for a autumn hunt at 8am with my boy, he was in his usual 3 ring gag on ring 2. Had brakes but noticed when got home that it had rubbed slightly, treated it. Today took him to a sponsored ride, moved to ring 1 ie most gentle.... he really pulled and was on his toes the whole way round.... kept on having to do half halts.... got back to trailer and sores much worse and one side of his mouth was swollen. I was really concerned , need brakes but don't want to hurt his mouth, thought about a pelham or cheltenham gag, but these are only stronger and could still hurt him... and give him a hard mouth. Can anyone make any suggestions.... anyone use hackamores, or bitless bridles, pros ... cons??? Ease of use?? Horses reaction??
(Just read the post about Dr Cook's bitless bridle, had a look,. not sure what's best....)


Help!

Thanks.
 
I have just started using a hackamore on a horse I ride (VERY strong mare - the gag just made her mouth bleed and I still couldn't stop).

With a hackamore I have fantastic brakes but very little stearing and she has started rearing (properly).

Next think I am going to try (as soon as tonight) is a hackamore with a snaffle set up like a double bridle.
 
Had the same problem with a hackamore...mare started rearing. What about something like a happy mouth pelham? I use a rubber ported kimblewick to jump my mare as she's always been difficult to bit and with the kimblewick she can't get her tongue over.
 
Using it as a double worked a treat last night!

Little touch on the hackamore rein was enough to stop her leaning and she was much happer with the mouthpiece back.

So far so good!
 
Well an update:..... went to have a chat in my local tack shop and was lent a rubber straight bar pelham- tried that on tuesday at another hunt, and had a much better day, didn't have to pull so much, he listened, yet because of the different action of the pelham (it being fixed and not moving like gag) it didn't seem to hurt my boys mouth anymore than it already is, as its still healing.

So i think a result! Btw, i was told at my tack shop that before thinking of moving to a hackamore i should try one which has a snaffle mouthpiece and a pressure on the nose which would seem like a half way house, can't remember the name of that bit though, has a complicated one.

Thanks for your suggestions!
 
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