Is an English hackamore a severe piece of kit?

S

scewal

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 June 2008
Messages
497
Visit site
I am interested in trying my mare in an English hackamore. However there seem to be some very divided opinions of this bit. So is it as severe as some say? Or is it the same case of most bits are severe in the wrong hands?
 
YES in the wrong hands ! I ride Shy all the time in one, as he hates any bit, and he goes really well in it. I would perhaps have lessons with it to start with, as they are as strong as your hands, and also need to be fitted really well. I use a leather curb strap for every day riding, and only use the chain version for something VERY exciting - eg pleasure rides... he knows it's there, and I hardly need to use it.
 
Thank you for your replies, she works well off my seat and certainly not heavy with my hands. I have borrowed on to try as she isn't keen on a bit either.
 
ANY bit is severe in the wrong hands, BUT a lot of people think that because something is "bitless" its necessarily kind. It isn't basically. It works on a totally different way to a bit (sorry, being obvious here!) - I was advised to have a lesson with someone who could help advise with the sort of "hands" you'll need to effectively communicate with the horse as it is quite specialised.
 
I had an English (Blair Pattern) one for my Arab. It had leather straps, no chain and I padded both the nose and chin strap well with sheepskin.

She went fantastically in it, but you need to have a good secure, independent seat and remember that you'll be steering with seat, weight and legs :)

Just like a bit, you can't afford to lean on it, or use it to balance.
 
Thanks again for the replies, the one I'm borrowing has sheep skin on the noseband and is a plain leather curb without any chain. I ride with my seat mostly already.
 
Good luck :) Obviously have a play in an enclosed space first!

If you do think the Blair is too much, maybe try with a Daisy pattern one as it has less poll pressure.
 
Will you let us know how you get on ? Since we went bitless full time, I am really interested to see how it works for other people. It's just works so well for us. x
 
I use one for my 5 year old , but I have recently bought some pony size cheek straps so now it sits really high up on his nose so not to hurt the nose cartilage , I also would suggest teaching a halt and half halt from a cordeo it is really good for an emergency stop
 
Yes of course shysmum. gwniver, interesting you have fitted yours higher, that is how i want to fit mine. The correct fit is slightly lower than a normal noseband isn't it? Would think at that level it would be lay right on the facial nerves?
 
scewal said:
I am interested in trying my mare in an English hackamore. However there seem to be some very divided opinions of this bit. So is it as severe as some say? Or is it the same case of most bits are severe in the wrong hands?
Click to expand...

Depends on who's hands they are in, also how its fitted


My late mare was very light mouthed so I used a hackamore pretty much full time. She was very light in the hands in it.
 
I have ridden several horses in the English hackamore. They all went really well in it. In fact, I trained my horse up to medium level dressage in one, and only used the bit for competitions. I find that most horses prefer it to having a bit in their mouths. All I would say is to go really gently with it the first couple of times. Once the horse is used to it, I would say it is far gentler than a snaffle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top