Im new here - please help -

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VoyPor

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Hi every1 - i am new here - i hope you can help me and lend me some expertise please.

I am a fairly experienced rider but i am riding out for a couple that havent got the time to ride their horse - he is a 17hh thoroughbred.

He is quite a stubborn horse and not a novice ride - i was aware of this fact from the start. His owners have commented that he is better with me than other riders that have ridden for them but i am still feeling quite uncomfortable rather than enjoying riding.

He has a hackamore and i have tried to get used to the horse with the hackamore for about 5 months now - ok - only riding the horse 3 or 4 times per week but i am not getting on very well with the hackamore. My leg aids are fine - it just seems that the hackamore and me dont get on.

Plz someone help - what other things can i try? anyone else had this type of problem? what kind of bridles are worth trying that are bitless?

Thank u for any help.
 
Try a Dr Cook bitless bridle, they are less severe than a hackamore, but still work with poll pressure and the 'head hug' for brakes, all horses that i know have tried it are v.happy in this bridle.
 
You say he's stubborn, but are you talking about lack of brakes or lack of oomph? Does he plant or run backwards or is he evading? Without really knowing what he's doing and how he's doing it (napping, bucking, etc.) it's very difficult to say.
 
Hi there - thanks for the reply - basically he carries his head slightly to the right as if he is trying to bite the right side of the hackamore when riding.

He will sometimes walk backwards even when you have given him plenty of leg aids to walk forward.

When you first want him to walk he doesnt respond too well - so is a bit stubborn to actually get going.

It could be me not being used to riding in a hackamore - but after 6 months i would have thought there would have been more improvement than there has been.

Thanks.
 
Thanks frb.

In what way do you mean severe?

I will have a look at the Dr Cook and see how he gets on with that one.
 
A hackamore is severe because it works on pressure and pain, putting pressure on the poll, chin and nasal bone, some hackamores shanks can work like a curb bit. Hackamores can cause a lot of damage. If this horse is reluctant to go forward and bending to one side, he sound like he is very uncomfortable, and trying to get away from the pain, and so you should go very easy if you are not used to a hackamore. I would try the dr cook, i am sure you will see an improvement.
 
In what way do you not get on with the hackamore..?
I used one on my anglo, and far from being too harsh for him, he LEANT on my hands for bloody miles through the forest on a fun ride, interspersed with canter when he felt like it - I had no control. I still have blisters
crazy.gif
 
no problem, keep me posted how you get on, The dr cook is about £98, but can get looky likeys for cheaper, though the original is best.
 
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