Hackamores

Halfpass

Halfpass

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What kind of action do they have and what type of horse do they suite.

Thinking of trying one on my girl. She is just so sensitive in her mouth.

She is fine in the school when she is 100% listening and my contact is ultra light however out hacking if she gets a little onward bound I struggle to pull her up without the following happening.

She is not strong at all but even with just a very light half halt she throws her head up slams on the breaks and runs back wards.

My SJ trainer days she is super sensitive too and I have to be so careful not to catch her in the mouth when jumping otherwise we have the same as out hacking.

After the above has happened she calms very quickly and is straight back to her usual self - very very light in the hand and happily tracking up in self carriage.

All the relevant checks have been done (back teeth saddle etc).
 
From your description of her, I would say a cross-under style.

These work well on horses like her.

You are looking at Dr Cooks (who do a trial), Be Kind Bridle or Easytrek's rip off one.

My personal preference is for the Dr Cooks - I have leather but I replace the cross under straps with beta material so they can't stretch.

I note on the website, they have started offering them this way now as an option.
 
A Dr Cooks is not a hackamore. A Hackamore has leverage across the nose and causes pressure on both the nose, and under the face (often with a chain) and the poll; the amount of pressure differs with the length of the hackamore side pieces. Some of the German ones are very severe. I would never recommend a Hackamore for any rider with less than excellent hands.

A DrC works with pressure across the nose and the side of the face (pulling the horse in the direction you want it) and with slight poll pressure. We fit ours much higher than supposed to and have turned it into a very mild piece of equipment. You would be surprised how many horses go very well in them and also in the amount of control you have. The Dr C trial is 100% genuine, they are lovely people and very helpful, and if you have one of the few horses that doesn't like them then they won't quiblle if you have to send it back.

Would love to know how you get on!
 
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Have to agree with Ladyinred. Bitless bridles can be very severe. They must be properly adjusted as, wrongly used, they can break the small, delicate bones in the horses nose.

Have you considered changing your horse's bit to a mullen mouth or nathe. Many horses dislike the jointed bits which is why you are getting such a reaction from her.
 
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