Hi there, I was wondering if someone can give me some help/tips. I have just bought a QH. He appears to be well educated in Western style. ie: Neck Reigning, great on the leg aids etc. He is terrific on the ground, listens well etc. I was wondering if anyone can help with training him to a Hackamore. I put one on him and for the first 30 minutes he fussed around, throwing his head around, but settled down. I rode him in a round yard with a loose reign, he was good, however I really want to know the best way to ensure I am using the Hackamore properley. I understand the principle about Hackamore's, but I need to ensure I do not do any damage to him.
Has anyone got any tips / help etc on how I can achieve this. Would much appreciate it.
Hi there, I was wondering if someone can give me some help/tips. I have just bought a QH. He appears to be well educated in Western style. ie: Neck Reigning, great on the leg aids etc. He is terrific on the ground, listens well etc. I was wondering if anyone can help with training him to a Hackamore. I put one on him and for the first 30 minutes he fussed around, throwing his head around, but settled down. I rode him in a round yard with a loose reign, he was good, however I really want to know the best way to ensure I am using the Hackamore properley. I understand the principle about Hackamore's, but I need to ensure I do not do any damage to him.
Has anyone got any tips / help etc on how I can achieve this. Would much appreciate it.
Longrein. Question? If your horse is already trained and going so great, why do you want to fuss with his tack. You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Longrein. Question? If your horse is already trained and going so great, why do you want to fuss with his tack. You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I started mine with a hackamore, one outing walking her up to my backyard. Found out that it is harsh on a horse, and did not want to do anything like that. Took it back, got a snapple bit. I just can not do anything forceful to them. And with no resistance training, have found it is as effective as a hackamore. Also, I know in shows, there are restrictions against using a hacklemore. Once in a while I do use a knotted rope bridal, if she is giving me problems and when she settles down, during a walk for example, I then exchange it. Have used it only twice. No resistance training I believe in.
I started mine with a hackamore, one outing walking her up to my backyard. Found out that it is harsh on a horse, and did not want to do anything like that. Took it back, got a snapple bit. I just can not do anything forceful to them. And with no resistance training, have found it is as effective as a hackamore. Also, I know in shows, there are restrictions against using a hacklemore. Once in a while I do use a knotted rope bridal, if she is giving me problems and when she settles down, during a walk for example, I then exchange it. Have used it only twice. No resistance training I believe in.
Happy2wonder thanks for your comments, I am planning on doing my work with Mack using a Snaffle bit. This way I want to get both Mack and I used to each other and trusting of each other.
I have taken your comments on board and will raise it on his nose and see how we go. Once again..... thanks. PS:- Will keep this blog updated on how we went.
Happy2wonder thanks for your comments, I am planning on doing my work with Mack using a Snaffle bit. This way I want to get both Mack and I used to each other and trusting of each other.
I have taken your comments on board and will raise it on his nose and see how we go. Once again..... thanks. PS:- Will keep this blog updated on how we went.
One suggestion I have for your hackamore is raising it slightly(about a whole) on your horses nose. That particullar hack I find alot in the english world. I use the very same one on my Jumper gelding and on him in western. I have found that a double chain(curb strap) and a very light touch is all u need. I find it is really good to collect them and keep them in a frame while staying off their face. Dont worry my guy about 2 days to settle into his hack before he was really comfortable. My gelding has gotten so respnsive that ii use my pinkys in the jumper ring. Hope this helps.
One suggestion I have for your hackamore is raising it slightly(about a whole) on your horses nose. That particullar hack I find alot in the english world. I use the very same one on my Jumper gelding and on him in western. I have found that a double chain(curb strap) and a very light touch is all u need. I find it is really good to collect them and keep them in a frame while staying off their face. Dont worry my guy about 2 days to settle into his hack before he was really comfortable. My gelding has gotten so respnsive that ii use my pinkys in the jumper ring. Hope this helps.
My horses all ride in a hackamore called a Little S hack. I rarely put a bit in their mouth, and can ride them with just a halter if I want to. I tean pen with them, and they seem to "cow up" more with a Little S as opposed to a bit. A light dee ring snaffle or a full cheek snaffle is also gentle enough. ANY bit in the wrong or uneducated hands can be hurtful to horse. Clinton Anderson has some good stuff to share and I'm glad you are open minded about these things. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
My horses all ride in a hackamore called a Little S hack. I rarely put a bit in their mouth, and can ride them with just a halter if I want to. I tean pen with them, and they seem to "cow up" more with a Little S as opposed to a bit. A light dee ring snaffle or a full cheek snaffle is also gentle enough. ANY bit in the wrong or uneducated hands can be hurtful to horse. Clinton Anderson has some good stuff to share and I'm glad you are open minded about these things. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Montana2007, Thanks for your comments. It looks like you definitely know what you are talking about. It looks like I am a novice with regards to the terminology. I have posted a pic with this reply..... Hopefully that will shed more light onto what 'Hackamore' I am referring to..... Sorry about this but I am not trying to show that I know more than I do. I am REALLY interested in the Natural Horsemanship Philosophy. I find it fascinating understanding what a horse thinks and how he reacts and why. This pic is basically what I was referring to when I used the word Hackamore.
However, after reading both your replies ( thorobredrider and yours) I have re-thought my strategy. As I mentioned I was probably being too enthusiastic and as I appreciate and understand. In the wrong hands and used incorrectly this could do some serious damage to my horse. The last thing I want to do. I have also reviewed Clinton Anderson's training thoughts. Horsemanship DownUnder.
So my new plan is too follow Clinton's ideas, using a snaffle bit and get Mack to the point where we are trusting and respectful of each other. Then maybe I will look at the Hackamore idea again, but it is not a must for me to do. In fact I spent 2 hours with Mack this morning, starting the ground work with him as described by Clinton. Guys this horse is FANATASTIC, he knows it all..... He is so easy to work with. This week I plan to move into the saddle work. I do not know his background, hence starting from scratch..... It?s obvious he's done it all..... So basically I am going to see exactly what he already knows and go from there. I really appreciate your comments, I believe there is no task that this horse cannot do. So once again thanks for your comments... I love this site.
Will keep you informed on my progress.
Just realise I cannot insert Pic..So I will email you the Pic.
Montana2007, Thanks for your comments. It looks like you definitely know what you are talking about. It looks like I am a novice with regards to the terminology. I have posted a pic with this reply..... Hopefully that will shed more light onto what 'Hackamore' I am referring to..... Sorry about this but I am not trying to show that I know more than I do. I am REALLY interested in the Natural Horsemanship Philosophy. I find it fascinating understanding what a horse thinks and how he reacts and why. This pic is basically what I was referring to when I used the word Hackamore.
However, after reading both your replies ( thorobredrider and yours) I have re-thought my strategy. As I mentioned I was probably being too enthusiastic and as I appreciate and understand. In the wrong hands and used incorrectly this could do some serious damage to my horse. The last thing I want to do. I have also reviewed Clinton Anderson's training thoughts. Horsemanship DownUnder.
So my new plan is too follow Clinton's ideas, using a snaffle bit and get Mack to the point where we are trusting and respectful of each other. Then maybe I will look at the Hackamore idea again, but it is not a must for me to do. In fact I spent 2 hours with Mack this morning, starting the ground work with him as described by Clinton. Guys this horse is FANATASTIC, he knows it all..... He is so easy to work with. This week I plan to move into the saddle work. I do not know his background, hence starting from scratch..... It?s obvious he's done it all..... So basically I am going to see exactly what he already knows and go from there. I really appreciate your comments, I believe there is no task that this horse cannot do. So once again thanks for your comments... I love this site.
Will keep you informed on my progress.
Just realise I cannot insert Pic..So I will email you the Pic.
After reading Thoroughbredrider's suggestions I realize that hackamore means different things to different backgrounds or orientations. The hackamore for me is the bosal teamed up with the Mecete. An alternative definition is what I have always called the mechanical hackamore which I believe is what she is describing? In my opinion this latter is not a recommended system as it is indeed hurtfull in the wrong hands. I'm guessing that Clinton is speaking of the former? Which are you thinking of? I would be interested in your view? I think that you are really on the right track now in going back to the basics.
After reading Thoroughbredrider's suggestions I realize that hackamore means different things to different backgrounds or orientations. The hackamore for me is the bosal teamed up with the Mecete. An alternative definition is what I have always called the mechanical hackamore which I believe is what she is describing? In my opinion this latter is not a recommended system as it is indeed hurtfull in the wrong hands. I'm guessing that Clinton is speaking of the former? Which are you thinking of? I would be interested in your view? I think that you are really on the right track now in going back to the basics.
Hey guys thanks so much for your comments, I appreciate it. I have just received a book in the Mail. Clinton Anderson's Horsemanship Downunder. It has made me stop and think a bit about what I am trying to achieve ( and how I am going about it ).
I have actually come to the decision that I may have been a little too enthusiastic reagrding bringing him onto the Hackamore bridle. I have decided to go back to a Snaffle Bit and after I have spent some time doing Ground work, Saddle work, etc etc and we have built a trust in each other then I may look at the Hackamore. He is so responsive to voice commands on the ground, I think he is probably more educated than I am ( hee hee ). Unfortunately the lass I bought him off has only ridden him 5 times in the last year and has no idea of what/how he has been trained. Therefore I am going to start from scratch. I fugure that we will move pretty quickly throught the start of this, but at least he will get to know me and vice versa.
Once again, thank you for your comments....... I may need your help in the future.
Hey guys thanks so much for your comments, I appreciate it. I have just received a book in the Mail. Clinton Anderson's Horsemanship Downunder. It has made me stop and think a bit about what I am trying to achieve ( and how I am going about it ).
I have actually come to the decision that I may have been a little too enthusiastic reagrding bringing him onto the Hackamore bridle. I have decided to go back to a Snaffle Bit and after I have spent some time doing Ground work, Saddle work, etc etc and we have built a trust in each other then I may look at the Hackamore. He is so responsive to voice commands on the ground, I think he is probably more educated than I am ( hee hee ). Unfortunately the lass I bought him off has only ridden him 5 times in the last year and has no idea of what/how he has been trained. Therefore I am going to start from scratch. I fugure that we will move pretty quickly throught the start of this, but at least he will get to know me and vice versa.
Once again, thank you for your comments....... I may need your help in the future.
Excellent questions! What is your intention? Are you aiming to bring the horse through to straight up in the bridle? If so, the Hackamore should be considered the second step of a four step process: snaffel, hackamore, two rein, and straight up in the bridle or single rein. Used improperly the hackamore can be harmful to the horse and many well meaning folk are confused and think that it is a benign way of riding a horse since nothing metallic is in their mouths. Nothing could be further from the truth. Great pain and distress can occur on the nose when used improperly. A spade bit in the right hands can be the most gentle benign way of queuing a horse.It is generally considered that the hackamore stage should begin when the horse will do everything you would ever want when riding two handed in the snaffel (ring, or my preference the egg butt) and one handed perhaps to a lessor extent. It is very important that you have a bosal that is properly fit to the horse and that you keep it in the proper shape. Good hackamore systems can cost several hundred's of dollars. I would recommend that you get hold of the series on trainng the bridle horse by Buck Brannaman. There are probably others out there, but he will take you step by step through the entire process and open up new doors for you I'm sure. Good Luck!
Excellent questions! What is your intention? Are you aiming to bring the horse through to straight up in the bridle? If so, the Hackamore should be considered the second step of a four step process: snaffel, hackamore, two rein, and straight up in the bridle or single rein. Used improperly the hackamore can be harmful to the horse and many well meaning folk are confused and think that it is a benign way of riding a horse since nothing metallic is in their mouths. Nothing could be further from the truth. Great pain and distress can occur on the nose when used improperly. A spade bit in the right hands can be the most gentle benign way of queuing a horse.It is generally considered that the hackamore stage should begin when the horse will do everything you would ever want when riding two handed in the snaffel (ring, or my preference the egg butt) and one handed perhaps to a lessor extent. It is very important that you have a bosal that is properly fit to the horse and that you keep it in the proper shape. Good hackamore systems can cost several hundred's of dollars. I would recommend that you get hold of the series on trainng the bridle horse by Buck Brannaman. There are probably others out there, but he will take you step by step through the entire process and open up new doors for you I'm sure. Good Luck!
Hope this will be helpful. First question is, what type of bit was the horse using? Most folks are not aware that a hackamore can actually be more severe than some bits because the shank puts pressure on the horse's pole and ads much leverage. If you are looking for something lighter than a bit, consider a bosal or even a halter with lead ropes. Of course if you choose a halter, it is important that the horse respond to voice commands and is stabilized (goes at even speeds at all gaits until you tell him to change - even on loose reins) before you try to ride the horse in a halter. The answer is always more training and less leverage. Also check the horse's teeth.
Hope this will be helpful. First question is, what type of bit was the horse using? Most folks are not aware that a hackamore can actually be more severe than some bits because the shank puts pressure on the horse's pole and ads much leverage. If you are looking for something lighter than a bit, consider a bosal or even a halter with lead ropes. Of course if you choose a halter, it is important that the horse respond to voice commands and is stabilized (goes at even speeds at all gaits until you tell him to change - even on loose reins) before you try to ride the horse in a halter. The answer is always more training and less leverage. Also check the horse's teeth.
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