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  Discussion on Hackamores
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Member:
Obtunded

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 8:07 pm:

I have been riding "steel-free" (no shoes or bits)for a couple of years now. I have found that the Parelli "Natural hackamore", which is a rope halter with a lead rope and rope reins works well. I find that the rope halter tends to apply pressure better. That is of course only my opinion. Some people may object to the unfinished look of riding in a rope halter, but I love it and my horse has been very easily trained to respect it like any bit and bridle.

Kindest regards,

Ian
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 11:20 am:

I started my horse in a rope halter and lead also. I now have him in a full cheek copper snaffle and he is doing fine with it but I may go back to the halter or start him on a bosal.

In my experience, a mechanical hackamore in the wrong hands can be more severe than a bit. It puts a lot of pressure with those long shanks on the nose and poll, plus the curb chain digging in can be pretty painful. I had a horse that I rode in a hackamore because that's what he used before I got him. When out on trail even on the hottest days, he wouldn't drink. He'd put his head down but immediately pulled it back up. I figured out that he didnt' want the shanks hitting on the rocks on the bottom of the creek, thus causing him pain. One day, everytime there was a creek crossing and he wanted to drink I would dismount, take off his hackamore so he could drink and then put it back on. I went out after that and got a very short shank curb with a low port and rode him in that. As soon as he realized he could drink without discomfort, you couldn't stop him.

My QH was/is a puller but I just started him in a Mikmar bit and he no longer pulls at all. You should check it out on their website www.mikmar.com.

Good luck!
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 11:49 am:

I was urged by the woman who owns my boarding stable to switch my horse to a beetle hackamore. This is much less severe than a mechanical hackamore because of short shanks and is recommended for training. I also wrapped the nose rope in vet wrap to make it even softer. It is similar to a halter, but I do feel there is better communication than a rope halter. After using it for three months I like it very much. As a novice rider I used to hang on the bit too much and this is helping me to rely on legs and seat. It seems less severe than the Myler training bit I was using before. My horse had caps on his teeth and this caused him discomfort with a bit, which is now being corrected. I may move on to a snaffle later, but I think the beetle hackamore has helped me become a better rider, without causing my horse unnecessary pain.

Happy trails!

Linda
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 12:42 pm:

I've never heard of a beetle hackamore. Is it like a sidepull?

Holly
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 1:39 pm:

Linda,
You mention using vet wrap on the nose band. I assume that it hasn't caused irritation to your horse's nose over time? Vet wrap is tacky and creates friction when used on tack that "moves" on a horse. I have heard of folks using it on girths, and ending up with girth sores as the horses' skin rubs against it. Beware if you notice hair loss on your horse's nose. You might want to consider switching to fleece or something with less "grab" if you are going to continue with the hackamore, especially if you go on any long rides.
Is the noseband flat? braided? a rounded tube?
Thanks.
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 3:18 pm:

Holly,

Here's a link to a picture of a beetle hackamore. I've never seen a sidepull, so I can't really say if they are similar.
https://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?screen=PROD&Product_Code=246 100

Holly,
I do check my horse after each ride and I haven't noticed any rubbing on his nose from the vet wrap. I will stay observant though, and switch to something softer if it seems necessary. I don't ride for longer than an hour or so, and that may be why he's not showing any effects. The noseband is made of braided rope.

Linda
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 4:13 pm:

Nope, doesn't look like a sidepull at all. A sidepull has a single or double noseband with rings at the side for attaching reins, thus, sidepull.

Never seen anything like this though. Looks real mild.
Member:
Rhondal

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006 - 7:28 pm:

I just bought a hackamore for my 17yr old T.B. I guess I'm a little confused as to how it works. Is this something that people generally use for training purposes?

My thinking was that it would be more comfortable for him but yet still have some control.

I wanted someone to use it that is a better rider than what I am but she refuses to try it she acted almost scared to try it. I'm almost thinking on just giving up and taking it back.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006 - 8:19 pm:

Rhonda,

When you say a "hackamore" is it mechanical, or a bosal in a headstall?

A bosal in a headstall with the fidor is a real hackamore, the mechanical thing is just a torture device.

A bosal hackamore is a good training device and used properly teaches the horse direct control. It basically is used like a snaffle bit. A 17 yro might be a bit too stiff to work well with a bosal.

Good day,
Alden
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006 - 8:48 pm:

I dont know much about Hackamores other than as a kid we had one horse that we rode with it. We were told as kids not ever to use constant contact. you imediently reliese contact after a slight feel to ask for a stop etc. The trick is to release imediently. They dont work like bits. You dont have lateral control either. We hated it . Its a good stopping devise if thats all you want. We were scared of it and basicly rode on a toataly loose rein. Not wanting to hurt our beloved old horse. If all you want is stopping power thats about all its good for. A english hackamore is different you still need imedient releise but you have lateral control and can ride it almost like with a bit. It depends on whether you ride western or english also. English you need more contact in which I dont think any hackamore or side pull is good. Just my thoughts. Western its fine as you dont have constant pressure.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006 - 9:48 pm:

Rhonda, If you are talking about a true hackamore, as Alden was talking about, you need to know how to use it. You don't pull back, as with a direct rein, but instead lift up, and as mentioned in previous posts (several yrs. previous!) You ride with a loose rein, no direct contact. "True Reinsmen" the "old timey" guys that trained according to the vaquero methods, first used a snaffle bit, than a snaffle & hackamore, then a hackamore, before going to a reining bit. (I think I've got that in the right order. Alden?) To finish an old style reining horse (or reined horse) took several years. The horses eventually worked in a severe looking spade bit. However, the horses were so lightly mouthed that the bit wasn't really severe in practice. Legs, body weight, and seat are used for "lateral control" instead of the reins. To properly train a horse to a hackamore and beyond to an old style reined horse, is quite an art, and mostly a lost art these days.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Mar 9, 2006 - 8:35 am:

Rhonda,

I agree with the others, a true hackamore needs a lot of skill to use. I studied 2 books on the subject, and tried it on a few horses but didn't feel comfortable with it. Also if you don't buy a really good bosal part, as in really expensive, they are hard and not balanced. Plus you need to know how to wrap the mecate reins.

The only benefit I found using the whole shebang was that if you use horse hair reins your horse may respond to neck reining quicker because they are prickly. Hard on your hands too, so you must wear gloves.

As for the mechanical hackamore, I've seen more bucking accidents from frustrated horses being rode in one than any other device. Usually it's a green rider, a young rider, whose parents decide that the bitless device is easier on the horse. So their kid is riding with it, and the horse gets no relief and reacts to escape.

Maybe you can give us more of an idea of what you wish to accomplish and why?
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