hack or snaffle?

flutterby · 03-23-2006, 07:12 AM

I had some problems with my QH mare a few weeks ago when I asked some things about her being pushy. I don't think thats the problem now.. I have her in a hack and she just doesn't understand what the purpose is and will do what she wants. The hack gives me no control whatsoever. I'm most likely going to go buy a snaffle. Where I board, the owner told me to put her in a hack and I did and there weren't any enjoyable rides with her. I gave her the winter off and I had sports to attend to. Now that I'm finished with that, I'm going to be working her. Do you think she'll listen better in a snaffle? We're working big time on leg cues and everything, but she knows that with the hack I have barely any control! Any ideas?? Hack or snaffle?

Circle C · 03-23-2006, 07:22 AM

A hack should come AFTER the horse is trained in a snaffle.

In this order:

Snaffle
Hack/bosal
hack/bosal & a curb (the 4 rein)
the curb by itself

Most if us don't do it like this, but in general, professional reining and cutting trainers to it in that order.

I go snaffle, hack, then a gag then a curb.

flutterby · 03-23-2006, 07:32 AM

Alright. I'm going to go buy a snaffle and start working her with that. She was taking a bit before I bought her so hopefully she'll take it now.

3WishesDun · 03-23-2006, 07:34 AM

Does she know how to neck rein? Are you riding with indirect or direct rein pressure? Have you worked on your aids...seat/legs ? I would start with a snaffle... and work on teaching your horse how to respond to your aids and not the bit as much.

flutterby · 03-23-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3WishesDun

Does she know how to neck rein? Are you riding with indirect or direct rein pressure? Have you worked on your aids...seat/legs ? I would start with a snaffle... and work on teaching your horse how to respond to your aids and not the bit as much.

No, she doesn't know how to neck rein. She's only be trained to ride off of reins. We're working on leg pressures and everything right now. We have a long, long way to go with her, but I feel it will be a great bonding experience for both of us. I just wanted to get her off the hack because she doesn't respond to it because she doesn't know what is being asked of her.

JBandRio · 03-23-2006, 10:05 AM

When you say hackamore - which are you talking about? A bosal? A mechanical hackamore? Or the basic hackamore that looks like a glorified halter?

The first 2 should not be used on a greenie. If it's a basic hackamore that looks like a halter, then if you have no control, it means she doesn't understand yielding to pressure. That's where you have to start.

Blistering Winds · 03-23-2006, 10:13 AM

A mechanical hackamore (the one with the metal shanks coming down) is a CURB type applicator! And is an ADVANCED tool. NOT something for green horses or a horse who does not know how to neck rein.

Bosals are the "snaffle" equivalent of the bitless equipment.

flutterby · 03-23-2006, 12:30 PM

It's a mechanical.. Where I board, the owner told me to buy that and train her on it. Like I already said, she doesn't understand and I told him that. He said it wasn't the hackamore, but we're going to buy a snaffle anyway.. I don't care what he says.. He just wants me to go cowboy, hop on, and ride through anything she gives me.. I don't think so!

loosie · 03-24-2006, 04:44 AM

Many ways to skin a cat, but I definitely teach a horse in a hackamore(bosal or halter, NOT mechanical) first, well before I ask them to accept a bit.

I beleive that a horse should understand the basics solidly before you attempt to use something unpleasant and potentially painful on them. From a purely humane point of view, it is unfair to teach them in something that hurts them when pressure is applied. But from a behavioural/effectiveness point of view, it is also better to avoid causing pain, especially during training.

03-23-2006, 07:12 AM	#1
flutterby Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 52 Images: 5	hack or snaffle? I had some problems with my QH mare a few weeks ago when I asked some things about her being pushy. I don't think thats the problem now.. I have her in a hack and she just doesn't understand what the purpose is and will do what she wants. The hack gives me no control whatsoever. I'm most likely going to go buy a snaffle. Where I board, the owner told me to put her in a hack and I did and there weren't any enjoyable rides with her. I gave her the winter off and I had sports to attend to. Now that I'm finished with that, I'm going to be working her. Do you think she'll listen better in a snaffle? We're working big time on leg cues and everything, but she knows that with the hack I have barely any control! Any ideas?? Hack or snaffle?

03-23-2006, 07:22 AM	#2
Circle C Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Meadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 3,010 Images: 59	A hack should come AFTER the horse is trained in a snaffle. In this order: Snaffle Hack/bosal hack/bosal & a curb (the 4 rein) the curb by itself Most if us don't do it like this, but in general, professional reining and cutting trainers to it in that order. I go snaffle, hack, then a gag then a curb. __________________ "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ....and yes, I'm pro horse slaughter.

03-23-2006, 07:34 AM	#4
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 16,944 Images: 655 Blog Entries: 27	Does she know how to neck rein? Are you riding with indirect or direct rein pressure? Have you worked on your aids...seat/legs ? I would start with a snaffle... and work on teaching your horse how to respond to your aids and not the bit as much. __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost I've Been Snowballed!

03-23-2006, 10:05 AM	#6
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	When you say hackamore - which are you talking about? A bosal? A mechanical hackamore? Or the basic hackamore that looks like a glorified halter? The first 2 should not be used on a greenie. If it's a basic hackamore that looks like a halter, then if you have no control, it means she doesn't understand yielding to pressure. That's where you have to start. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

03-23-2006, 10:13 AM	#7
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,979 Images: 831 Blog Entries: 17	A mechanical hackamore (the one with the metal shanks coming down) is a CURB type applicator! And is an ADVANCED tool. NOT something for green horses or a horse who does not know how to neck rein. Bosals are the "snaffle" equivalent of the bitless equipment. __________________ HGS is a very powerful, addicting place that is just as bad as cigarettes, however healthier for you AND your horse.

03-23-2006, 07:32 AM	#3
flutterby Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 52 Images: 5	Alright. I'm going to go buy a snaffle and start working her with that. She was taking a bit before I bought her so hopefully she'll take it now.

03-23-2006, 12:30 PM	#8
flutterby Full Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 52 Images: 5	It's a mechanical.. Where I board, the owner told me to buy that and train her on it. Like I already said, she doesn't understand and I told him that. He said it wasn't the hackamore, but we're going to buy a snaffle anyway.. I don't care what he says.. He just wants me to go cowboy, hop on, and ride through anything she gives me.. I don't think so!

03-24-2006, 04:44 AM	#9
loosie Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 681	Many ways to skin a cat, but I definitely teach a horse in a hackamore(bosal or halter, NOT mechanical) first, well before I ask them to accept a bit. I beleive that a horse should understand the basics solidly before you attempt to use something unpleasant and potentially painful on them. From a purely humane point of view, it is unfair to teach them in something that hurts them when pressure is applied. But from a behavioural/effectiveness point of view, it is also better to avoid causing pain, especially during training.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hack hack bark bark wheeeeze..	SunBun	Off Topic	5	03-13-2006 08:10 PM
2 hour hack on saturday!	myhorsefrizzy	Horse Chat	8	11-18-2005 08:48 AM
Definition of a Hack	BarebackJourney	Horse Chat	24	04-05-2005 01:00 PM
bits: hanging cheek snaffle and full cheek snaffle.	minnie_mouse	Tack & Equipment	31	03-30-2005 10:09 AM
O- rind snaffle vs. D-ring snaffle......?	Midnight Felicity	Horse Training	11	02-25-2004 11:28 AM