Hackamores on Young Horses

lucky_pine · 01-02-2006, 08:04 PM

I bought a new hackamore today that fits Scoot like a dream, but I'm unsure of using it.
I know hackamores are just as dangerous as bits, and I'm not sure exactly what kind of hackamore this is. I know nothing about them other than how they should fit.

My friend rides her barrel horse in one and is commonly seen direct reining....you shouldn't direct in one should you? I thought they were made just for neck reining?? She mentioned today "You should take him out and see how he works in it." I told her no because he doesn't neck rein that great, that I should wait until he's got that down solid.

I'm right....aren't I?

Friesiangirl · 01-02-2006, 08:06 PM

your right, hacks are for neck reining, get him down pay on that, and you should be set, but have a loose curb chain on a younger horse

luvs2ride79 · 01-02-2006, 08:07 PM

Yup, you're right. A sidepull is a bitless alternative made for horses that don't neck rein. Bosals also work well for direct reining.

~Barbara

lucky_pine · 01-02-2006, 08:11 PM

I wanted a bosal and couldn't find one, so I settled on the hackamore. I think he'd work nicely in it, without the bit in his mouth to constantly think over (which, he's still a baby, he's gonna think about it no matter what) I feel he'll concentrate on me 110% more than just 100%.

Thanks for clearing my conscience!

Friesiangirl · 01-02-2006, 08:14 PM

your welcome, anytime!

luvs2ride79 · 01-02-2006, 08:52 PM

I would recommend a flat leather curb strap for a youngster. It's safer than a chain if you get into a bind and really need to haul on him for whatever reason. I like to ride my mare in her leather halter with clip reins

~Barbara

Jennygirl011 · 01-02-2006, 08:56 PM

yeh you are right..I use a hack on my 7 yr old who neck reins but not my 4yr old who doesnt neck rein. I have used a bosal on my 4 yr old though it worked good

PressForTime · 01-03-2006, 01:13 PM

hmm... I used to own a mare that had no clue what neck reining was, yet she went in a hackamore. I currently ride a gelding that is using a hackamore (no respect for ANY bit.. you name it.. you could give me the name of the harshest bit you've ever heard/seen, I've tried them all AND different techniques to go with them, and he just doesn't listen.. long story).I've found that both respond amazingly to a hackamore, whereas a bit (or anything in their mouths for that fact) they had a heart attack. And Yes, I'm positive I was using a hackamore lol. So is a hackamore designed for a horse that neck reins? Yes. Can you use it on a horse that doesn't? Well, I did and it hasn't hurt neither one AT ALL. Neither are hindered by it, both respond wonderfully, and they both are like two different horses since they've used it. So I'd have to say yeah you could, I think it depends on the horse... remember, Just My Opinion =)

-Chris

charismatic · 01-03-2006, 04:48 PM

It depends on what kind of hack.
If it's the short shanked english kind, or anything less harsh, I'd say direct reining is fine.

Harsher than that and you really should be neck reining.

cd_horton · 01-03-2006, 05:35 PM

I use a bosal to enhance neck reining, after they are soft in a snaffle and responding to all leg and seat cues. I do not see how you can break a horses nose with a correctly fitting bosal, as they remain in close contact at all times and give you very little leverage on the nose, you can not stop a horse in a bosal, if they are not stoping off your seat you will have a hard time getting them to do so in a bosal.

01-02-2006, 08:04 PM	#1
lucky_pine Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,636 Images: 640 Blog Entries: 14	Hackamores on Young Horses I bought a new hackamore today that fits Scoot like a dream, but I'm unsure of using it. I know hackamores are just as dangerous as bits, and I'm not sure exactly what kind of hackamore this is. I know nothing about them other than how they should fit. My friend rides her barrel horse in one and is commonly seen direct reining....you shouldn't direct in one should you? I thought they were made just for neck reining?? She mentioned today "You should take him out and see how he works in it." I told her no because he doesn't neck rein that great, that I should wait until he's got that down solid. I'm right....aren't I?

01-02-2006, 08:06 PM	#2
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	your right, hacks are for neck reining, get him down pay on that, and you should be set, but have a loose curb chain on a younger horse __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue I've been snowballed!

01-02-2006, 08:07 PM	#3
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,289 Images: 38	Yup, you're right. A sidepull is a bitless alternative made for horses that don't neck rein. Bosals also work well for direct reining. ~Barbara __________________ "To be an equestrian in the classical sense is not just to be a rider. It is a position in life." --Charles de Kunffy EquineFriends.com2HotToTrot.com Anti-Slaughter and PROUD! StopHorseSlaughter.com I've Been Snowballed!**

01-02-2006, 08:14 PM	#5
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	your welcome, anytime! __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue I've been snowballed!

01-02-2006, 08:52 PM	#6
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,289 Images: 38	I would recommend a flat leather curb strap for a youngster. It's safer than a chain if you get into a bind and really need to haul on him for whatever reason. I like to ride my mare in her leather halter with clip reins ~Barbara __________________ "To be an equestrian in the classical sense is not just to be a rider. It is a position in life." --Charles de Kunffy EquineFriends.com2HotToTrot.com Anti-Slaughter and PROUD! StopHorseSlaughter.com I've Been Snowballed!**

01-02-2006, 08:11 PM	#4
lucky_pine Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,636 Images: 640 Blog Entries: 14	I wanted a bosal and couldn't find one, so I settled on the hackamore. I think he'd work nicely in it, without the bit in his mouth to constantly think over (which, he's still a baby, he's gonna think about it no matter what) I feel he'll concentrate on me 110% more than just 100%. Thanks for clearing my conscience!

01-02-2006, 08:56 PM	#7
Jennygirl011 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,870 Images: 257	yeh you are right..I use a hack on my 7 yr old who neck reins but not my 4yr old who doesnt neck rein. I have used a bosal on my 4 yr old though it worked good __________________ Many people have sighed for the 'good old days' and regretted the 'passing of the horse,' but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses.-C.W.Anderson

01-03-2006, 01:13 PM	#8
PressForTime Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,101 Images: 128 Blog Entries: 14	hmm... I used to own a mare that had no clue what neck reining was, yet she went in a hackamore. I currently ride a gelding that is using a hackamore (no respect for ANY bit.. you name it.. you could give me the name of the harshest bit you've ever heard/seen, I've tried them all AND different techniques to go with them, and he just doesn't listen.. long story).I've found that both respond amazingly to a hackamore, whereas a bit (or anything in their mouths for that fact) they had a heart attack. And Yes, I'm positive I was using a hackamore lol. So is a hackamore designed for a horse that neck reins? Yes. Can you use it on a horse that doesn't? Well, I did and it hasn't hurt neither one AT ALL. Neither are hindered by it, both respond wonderfully, and they both are like two different horses since they've used it. So I'd have to say yeah you could, I think it depends on the horse... remember, Just My Opinion =) -Chris __________________ Christina Press For Time - Sassy's Sensation - Lively Legend ~High Caliber Farm~

01-03-2006, 04:48 PM	#9
charismatic Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 363	It depends on what kind of hack. If it's the short shanked english kind, or anything less harsh, I'd say direct reining is fine. Harsher than that and you really should be neck reining.

01-03-2006, 05:35 PM	#10
cd_horton Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,017 Images: 60	I use a bosal to enhance neck reining, after they are soft in a snaffle and responding to all leg and seat cues. I do not see how you can break a horses nose with a correctly fitting bosal, as they remain in close contact at all times and give you very little leverage on the nose, you can not stop a horse in a bosal, if they are not stoping off your seat you will have a hard time getting them to do so in a bosal. __________________ Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

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