Hackamores

[kudosirony]

So, more questions about hackamores for those that have used them - I'm considering trying this before a bitless since Cracker can get headstrong at the beginning of hacks, when she comes into heat (although, I *think* she might have stopped because I haven't noticed any in the last two months, but maybe she fell into a cycle when I was on vacation

Comments

[glenatron]

I'd agree with you about the correct one- the other three look low to me.

[vanraf]

I used a jumping hackamore along with a fat rubber snaffle on a mare who was super sensitive - I didn't have the balls to take her out on cross-country without a bit! It's basically as close as you can get to riding with just a halter.

As far as anything with a shank and curb chain, you could always use a leather strap instead, or you could wrap the chain with something like Sealtex. it's just a matter of teaching her what the leverage means.

The jumping hackamore you have that's fitted on a horse - I'd want it to be a little more tight around the nose so if you pull back on one side only it doesn't shift around. and as glenatron said, it looks a little low but i could just be being picky... I'll try to find a picture of the set-up i had with the little mare and jumping hackamore...

[vanraf]

here's one from the first time we tried going bitless - I was Clinicing with Greg Best and he basically just took everything but the noseband and reins, and hooked the reins to the noseband in a way that they wouldn't slide down if that makes sense. That's basically the feel you get with the jumping hackamore, anyhow - this mare was too sensitive to need shanks.

[dappled_dreams]

The only thing I ride my gelding in now is a Jim Warner hackamore. It was recommended to me by endurance people. These people liked the Little S, but noted that the horses tended to run through it in time. (I should mention that all of these horses are super well-broke and go through some crazy shit out in the wild blue yonder).

I was skeptical of dropping almost $80 when I had never tried my horse in a hack before.

NO REGRETS. The well-broke horse that ignored the bit and tossed his head (with good teeth) is responsive to my slightest touch. And even when I get a tad heavy-handed in scary situations, the pressure isn't breaking his nose off (because he'd be the first to tell me). It's just a rope band over the top (I put a fleece on it) and a chain under the bottom. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's somehow made me a more effective rider. I stop worrying about the top half of my body and starting using my lower half.

I could go on forever. I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but I think in some capacities it's great.

[young_modern]

for fit, this diagram shows/explains where the noseband should sit and why. http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/bitless-bridle-faq.php#fittingdiagram

[k9snequines]

Thats all I ride mine in is a hackamore. I've never used a bit on her.

I'm not sure what kind it is though, it looks a lot like the english hackamore but without the fuzzies on the nose band. It has the chain on the bottom and a harder plastic band over the nose. I'd like to get her something nicer though, I'm not sure this one even fits right. Its not really mine, its just the one I use. I don't even have a saddle.