XC in a Hackamore.....

[jumpthemoon]

Would you? If you didn't normally ride in one?

I'm going xc this weekend, mainly for fitness training but there will be some jumps I want to do. He split his mouth last night and it's a bit sore this morning, so I'm considering taking him xc in a hackamore.

I'm perfectly capable of riding round the xc with a bit and little/no contact, but I thought if I use the hackamore, I'll be able to have a bit more control, without upsetting him. However, I've never done xc in it before! Not sure what to do...

 

[kerilli]

if he's a sane sort xc, then i definitely would. depends if he's the sort who'll back off his fences a bit and listen to your weight/a light rein aid, or if he tanks on a bit! if the former, no probs. i usually forget i'm using a hackamore and think it's a snaffle after 5 mins!

 

[jumpthemoon]

Thanks! That makes me feel better, as he is the backing off type, not the onward bound! I've been working on being more positive on the approach and I kind of thought that in a hackamore, I'll have less ability to be negative and might think more about sitting up and kicking!

I did ride in it this morning and did a line of 4 bounces and he seemed to jump nicely enough.

 

[tikino]

if he has jumped nicely this morning and you feel you have enough control then i would say go for it honey

 

[DunRoamin]

Buzz goes far better in a Hackamore than he does in a bit, so now i use it for everything

 

[jumpthemoon]

Thanks guys

We'll give it a try - if the worst comes to the worst we'll just hurtle round the course and hopefully be worn out and stop at the lorry!