Showjumping or XC in a Hackamore - Does anybody successfully do this?

swellhillcottage

swellhillcottage

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As it says in the title really - I have Tried my big fella in a hackamore ( Scrawbrig Variety )a few times and he really seems to appreciate the lack of a bit in his mouth - I have schooled him over intro level xc fences and he seemed very ridable in it and Showjumping he seems more forward and willing and makes such a lovely shape over his fences -but he doesnt for me with a conventional bit in his mouth - he is an Advanced ex eventer but an older chap who has been there done it and got the T-shirt - I find him difficult to jump in a normal bit snaffle bit as he just doesnt really go forward into his fences for me with out being gobby.
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Is it possible to do half halts in a Hackamore as his stride can get quite long and flat ?

I have tried lots of different bits but he just ends up with a sore mouth which is why i tried the Hackamore .

Is it possible to compete over fences in a Hackamore (Intro height - pre- novice height ) ?

On the flat he goes very nicely in a Neue schule verbindend .




Any thoughts appreciated and Thanks in advance

Sharonxx
 
swellhillcottage said:
Is it possible to do half halts in a Hackamore as his stride can get quite long and flat ?
Is it possible to compete over fences in a Hackamore (Intro height - pre- novice height ) ?
Click to expand...

don't know about half halts (as i've never ridden in a hackamore) - BUT, i've seen a fair few top international showjumpers competing at HOYS and at Olympia in the world cup qualifier etc in hackamores... and they, im assuming, would be doing half halts etc.

As for whether it is possible to compete over 90/1m fences in a hackamore... why not? these showjumpers are competing at 1m50/1m60! :D

but then again...that is sj and not xc... so, i'd probably wait for someone elses opinion :p :D
 
We have had experience of this recently with our tb. We found although sj was fine
xc was'nt!...and most instructors (one a 4 star rider)thought we were mental for trying it.

Kerilli suggested trying a Micklem which we have and he loves that so he does all in that now.
 
ML - yes that is a good combo :)

back to original post... yes i think you'll be fine for sj, no matter how big the fences get... but xc i have no idea... there are plenty of eventers on here who'll let you know :D
 
From my experience... I have a mare who was a bit sensitive in the mouth yet strong to jump and suffered from a sore mouth often, so I tried her in a hackamore, and since then have never looked back. Because she preferred it, she did not fight it, and listened considerably more so braking was never an issue.

My mare evented successfully at 1* and Intermediate in a hackamore for SJ and XC, I'm not saying it would work for all horses, but for mine it was brilliant as it completely changed her way of going.
 
Well there are some very positive replies - Thankyou so much!! - I had a super lesson with him last night and he wore the Hackamore - Trainer and I looked at each other almost mouth open after had popped the first few fences beautifully instead of tripping over them - For the rest of the lesson he didnt touch a pole or miss - I have to say we were very pleased and I thought OMG this the key ? TBH i doubt i will compete him at all XC but definately SJ - Bring it on !!
Will let you all know how we get on - Fingers crossed


Sharon xx
 
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