Jumping in a hackamore

[tobiano1984]

Who uses a hackamore for showjumping? Thinking of trying one tomorrow on my little eventer - he goes XC without problem in a full cheek french link snaffle, but we are having issues with showjumping. He goes hollow, head up, and drops uprights with his back legs. We do all the usual schooling - he works in a nice outline on the flat, does gridwork without touching anything. It's just round courses - especially smaller 80/90 ones. Big fences sit him back and he's much better. Over XC fences he makes a lovely shape, but SJ tends to go flat and upwards.

I'm wary of using a stronger bit (other ideas include kimblewick, universal) as he doesn't have the softest mouth as it is and I don't want to upset the good work we've done with his dressage, so I wondered if a hackamore (which I know is strong, but isn't in his mouth!) might be an idea. Although you see lots of top level showjumpers using them, most people at lower levels I know who've used them say they have poor steering.
He's a 15.1 sports cob, so easily shortens his neck and sets against you, and once travelling forward over a course there's very little flexibility in his neck.

Would love to hear experiences or anyone with a similar horse and what you use....

 

[PaddyMonty]

Steering can be an issue unless the horse responds well to leg/weight aids. Also not much use unless the rider can check and release quickly, you dont want a constant strong contact using one.
I would experiment with something like a kineton noseband. Gives you more brakes when needed but no effect otherwise.

 

[Snowfilly]

You couldn't get a much different horse but our Arab was ridden in a hackamore for jumping all his competitive life.

For some reason, he's always had a madly sensitive mouth and never settled with a bit - he was brought as a foal and we did every check under the sun, he just hates things in his mouth. English hackamore was enough brakes, and we did loads of work on weight and seat aids for steering and collection.

We actually did a few sessions with a western trainer and used some neck reining techniques for extra steering as well.

Never had any problems, he jumped up to 1.00m tracks and probably could have gone on but his heart was never in jumping, it was more something he did to be polite as we were asking.

For endurance and hacking, he went in a side pull bridle, which is milder, and now at almost 30 he sometimes plods round the fields in a head collar.

I think it's best to keep in mind there are lots of bitless bridles, and they don't all suit all horses. Try a few and see how it goes, and be open to different ways of riding and schooling to complement them.

Good luck!

 

[ameeyal]

I use to jump my pony in a hackamore no problems and turn him on a sixpence where needed, he was a very strong pony, if you can borrow one, most horse except them, but some dont like the poll pressure.