hackamores

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nickyb

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have an established novice eventer, lovely for dressage and lovely xc in the mouth however quite funny to showjump for some reason. he tends to grab the bit and run to the fences if i take too firmer hand with him, in the school at home i can afford to ride him that bit more forward, but its on grass thats he's sharper, if i grab him too much from going to fast he just grabs the bit, sticks his head up and runs off over the fence. not all the time i have to add, have been thinking for a while that maybe a hackamore could be the answer and no pressure on the mouth, however he is rather strong and i'm worried i won't hold him. can anyone help at all
 
You can hire one from Shop4bits before you buy, a much cheaper way of testing new brakes.

Personally, the english hackamore is good for me for hacking but I don't feel safe enough jumping - but that's a personal preference with my horse.
 
Have you chatted to anyone about his bitting? I rang Heather at neue schule bits who runs a bitting helpline, and she was a brilliant source of advice - no pressure to buy either and she recommended somewhere that I could hire the bit she recommended from too.

She asked lots of questions about his way of going etc and was incredibly helpful - gave me a list of bits to try and in what order etc. I am a total convert I have to say! In fact I ended up with something slightly different from what she recommended, but only very slightly, and it works brilliantly.

Might be worth a call?

Otherwise, in terms of hackamores, I have ridden a few horses in them and find the steering can be very woolly and not up to much, especially when you first try it!
 
If steering is a prob you can always have a light snaffle for stering-as per rob whit and Finnbar!

Tho if he is just grabbing the bit thought of trying an waterford?
 
I had a mare that I really struggled to hold hunting in a Cheltenham gag - consequently she ended up with quite a sore mouth. To take the pressure off I exercised her all winter in a hackamore, even went SJ in it and did hunt in it once when her mouth was quite sore. Found the brakes as good as a Cheltenham gag, head carriage slightly higher but didn't cock her neck and set her jaw like with a proper bit in. Would have no hesitation using one BE SJ - just look at the number of professional's horses that have one due to 'fussy' mouths (albeit appreciating the fact that we don't all ride with professional's hands!).
 
thanks for all your replys have managed to borrow one, put it on him in stable this morning and took up rein contact but his face said it all, not sure if he will like it, i know i have to ride in it but needed to school today so didn't bother. will give it a go though and i will also call the bit lady. thanks once again x
 
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