Hacking in a double bridle?

[Foxaunt]

Hello all, double bridle query:

I dare say I may be opening up a can of worms, we are breaking in a new double bridle for showing, my mare is going reasonably nicely in it, but we have only ridden in it a handful of times.

Perhaps a silly question, but does anyone hack in a double bridle? I've heard some people say "it shouldnt make a difference" and others say "a double bridle is only for when you are asking for something specific, and should only be used when schooling". I can see the logic behind both arguments, but wanted to ask if anyone had any first hand experience or useful insight?

 

[milliepops]

I have hacked out in it when just getting a horse started with a double. if you know how to use it then it shouldn't matter what you're doing tbh. it can be a low key way for them to get used to it.

I hunted one horse in a double, was used entirely for the chucking-the-anchor-out kind of control that nothing else gave me. about as far removed from schooling as you can get!! I don't think these made up rules really serve any purpose.

 

[Mule]

I've ridden a very strong one in a double bridle for control too. Horse was used to it so he was fine.

 

[Velcrobum]

Hacking is a good way of getting a horse used to the two bits in its mouth. You do not even need to pick up the curb rein let alone use it.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I school on hacks. What on earth do some people do when they are hacking, just let the horse decide what to do? If you want to use a double bridle, a bitless bridle or something in between, it's entirely up to you. Why do you care what others say/think?

 

[PapaverFollis]

I don't see why not.

 

[Mule]

I school on hacks. What on earth do some people do when they are hacking, just let the horse decide what to do? If you want to use a double bridle, a bitless bridle or something in between, it's entirely up to you. Why do you care what others say/think?

I must admit, other than a few transitions and leg yields, the beast and I usually stroll about on a loose rein.

 

[catkin]

If the rider knows how to use it, and the horse likes it/needs it then what is the problem?

 

[Red-1]

Yes, I have done. No problems, the bit is just a bit, nothing special. More important is how the rider rides.

 

[rabatsa]

I would hack in it. At the most it is a bit of extra leather to clean afterwards.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Once I introduce a double or a Pelham I will hack and school on it a few times a week to get them used to it, then once they are happy I tend to just put it on very occasionally or just before a show to make sure thet are still happy.

 

[scruffyponies]

All of mine have been hacked at least a couple of times in a double bridle, just for the experience. None have paid it the slightest mind beyond an initial chomp of confusion when it first goes in their chops.
No reason not to.

 

[daffy44]

I hack in a double bridle when I first start horses off in them, its a nice low pressure way for the horse to get used to the double, no reason not to hack in it.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I sometimes hack in a double bridle, I can't see any reason why not save perhaps handling two reins + a gate?

 

[ycbm]

I school on hacks. What on earth do some people do when they are hacking, just let the horse decide what to do? If you want to use a double bridle, a bitless bridle or something in between, it's entirely up to you. Why do you care what others say/think?

I think it depends on whether you have easy access to a school PaS. Being lucky enough to have a school of my own, I school in the arena ride more than i hack these days, and I ride very differently, including different tack, out on a hack, where I just want the pair of us to relax.
.

 

[marmalade88]

I school on hacks. What on earth do some people do when they are hacking, just let the horse decide what to do? If you want to use a double bridle, a bitless bridle or something in between, it's entirely up to you. Why do you care what others say/think?

i agree! I don’t school as I would for dressage on a surface necessarily but the horse is expected to work into a contact and hold himself. Letting the horse slop along is just as bad for their posture as over schooling. The number of people I see with no contact just bumbling around, it’s terrible for the horses back but if their happy I can’t say anything. Don’t get me started on the what they do if the horse spooks and they have no control. My equine osteopath and I were chatting about the topic recently.

As for OP, I don’t see why you wouldn’t to get the horse used to it. it’s you’re horse so up to you. Assuming you’ve used a double yourself previously then I’d just crack on.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

i agree! I don’t school as I would for dressage on a surface necessarily but the horse is expected to work into a contact and hold himself. Letting the horse slop along is just as bad for their posture as over schooling. The number of people I see with no contact just bumbling around, it’s terrible for the horses back but if their happy I can’t say anything. Don’t get me started on the what they do if the horse spooks and they have no control. My equine osteopath and I were chatting about the topic recently.

As for OP, I don’t see why you wouldn’t to get the horse used to it. it’s you’re horse so up to you. Assuming you’ve used a double yourself previously then I’d just crack on.

What? I don't ride my horse on contact, generally, when I hack. We usually hack in a sidepull since he's a responsive and easy hack. My reins are quite slack and he walks at a decent pace, head and neck low. How is this bad for his back?

When we trot or canter, he's on the contact/in working posture. I don't reach for his face when/if he spooks. I ride with my body and gently ease him into the contact. He sort of puts himself there with little pressure...possibly just due to his type and sensitive nature.



I've hacked in my double once or twice when I first introduced it, but now only use it for work in the school.

 

[scats]

i agree! I don’t school as I would for dressage on a surface necessarily but the horse is expected to work into a contact and hold himself. Letting the horse slop along is just as bad for their posture as over schooling. The number of people I see with no contact just bumbling around, it’s terrible for the horses back but if their happy I can’t say anything. Don’t get me started on the what they do if the horse spooks and they have no control. My equine osteopath and I were chatting about the topic recently.

As for OP, I don’t see why you wouldn’t to get the horse used to it. it’s you’re horse so up to you. Assuming you’ve used a double yourself previously then I’d just crack on.

I enjoy a no-pressure saunter out on my horses. Yes they are expected to stay straight (I don’t do crookedness) and march on, but I will let them have a longer rein contact and don’t continuously keep them ‘on the bit’ or up into the bridle. I throw a bit of lateral work in from time to time, but our hacking is my horses chill time. Mine too.

OP- I wouldn’t worry about hacking in the double bridle, you can always leave the curb alone and just let the horse get used to two bits.

 

[Foxaunt]

lovely people of H&H forum - can confirm we did indeed go out, was a bit grateful actually not that I needed to anchor down, but having the support there just in case when a herd of deer came out right in front of us was good! not its primary function but 'two birds, one stone' and all that!


I just like to check on things like this because you never know, I do things a certain way but it's only until someone educates me otherwise that I realise it needs changing. I'd rather ask a silly question and be reassured it was silly than do something wrong because I didn't question it, thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts!

she went really superbly in it on our hack, makes me feel a whole lot more at ease knowing I'm not throwing her in the deep end with something majorly new at a show, she's still young after all.

it's something I use exclusively for showing so not a tool I'm well-versed in (not against them, as you can tell!) but just not my every day equipment.

thank you all again

 

[Foxaunt]

OP- I wouldn’t worry about hacking in the double bridle, you can always leave the curb alone and just let the horse get used to two bits.[/QUOTE]

pretty much what I did! it was just there and she happily trucked along holding herself nicely. I don't brag about a lot in life, but this mare is such a good egg!!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Happy to hear it went well!

 

[silv]

I enjoy a no-pressure saunter out on my horses. Yes they are expected to stay straight (I don’t do crookedness) and march on, but I will let them have a longer rein contact and don’t continuously keep them ‘on the bit’ or up into the bridle. I throw a bit of lateral work in from time to time, but our hacking is my horses chill time. Mine too.

OP- I wouldn’t worry about hacking in the double bridle, you can always leave the curb alone and just let the horse get used to two bits.

Absolutely this, as far as I am concerned it is our time out, they work hard the rest of the time. I disagree with it being bad for for their backs, my gelding has really leaned to stretch down and use his back, his free walk is now usually an 8 rather than a 6.
Plus sometimes I ride out for hours on end, a bit much to expect the horse to be on the aids the whole time. I actually think it doesn't do harm to allow horses to make their own decisions sometimes especially when crossing rough countryside like I do that's how they develop a bit of self preservation. Also for good measure I let them graze!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Absolutely this, as far as I am concerned it is our time out, they work hard the rest of the time. I disagree with it being bad for for their backs, my gelding has really leaned to stretch down and use his back, his free walk is now usually an 8 rather than a 6.
Plus sometimes I ride out for hours on end, a bit much to expect the horse to be on the aids the whole time. I actually think it doesn't do harm to allow horses to make their own decisions sometimes especially when crossing rough countryside like I do that's how they develop a bit of self preservation. Also for good measure I let them graze!

I was actually afraid to mention that I let mine graze ? (another reason the sidepull is convenient) I have to slowly introduce him to grass every spring, and I often ride him up the hill to a good grazing spot.

I mean, maybe if your horse walks along like a tense giraffe I guess it's bad for them. But I think a long, low, and forward posture is fine and good for the back. The horse feels loose and relaxed.

I do think it's valuable for them to learn how to sort out good footing too.

 

[GinaGeo]

One of mine hacks, hunts and schools in a double.

He manages to cope with it meaning various different things, beit finesse in the school, stretching out hacking or for brakes out hunting ?