Hackmore or bridle

mypettingzoo · 03-05-2006, 12:57 PM

I have a question my horse (arab/quarter) is more responsive to me riding with a halter and lead ropes -vs- me using a bridle. all i have my horses for is trails and work in my own ring so i am wondering do you think he would be better off with a hackmore??

thanks

Just_me · 03-05-2006, 01:31 PM

Do you ride english or western?I believe you can`t direct rein in a hackamore.If you want direct reining use a bitless bridle.
Do you want to use a hackamore just because your horse seems to like it more?if so i would go for it.If your horse has a problem with bits/bridle and that is the reason why you want to switch,you are just covering up the problem and don`t solve it.

Prince_rox · 03-05-2006, 01:39 PM

I always use a rope hackmore! Its soo much better and is painless for the horse. MY friends horse today was refusing to trot and when he did he would through his head around so I let her try my hackmore and he was trotting like he never had a problem! It was amazing! But ya, like what Just_me says do you ride english or western? Altough I ride both western and english and have no problem but if you compete sometimes there are rules about not using bits but if you dont compete I strongly suggest a rope hackmore or even something similar to a parelli hackmore, they work soooo well!

mypettingzoo · 03-05-2006, 01:40 PM

hi thanks for the reply
No he has no problem with a bit. i just feel that he responds better with the halter. so for english i need a bit less bridle and for western i can use a hackmore right.... i ride both.

lucky_pine · 03-05-2006, 01:42 PM

No, wrong. You CAN direct rein in a hackamore.
And hackamores can be just as harsh as a bit, so ride as if you are still in a bit.

luvs2ride79 · 03-05-2006, 03:09 PM

A hackmore can be very disturbing to some horses, especially one with long shanks anda chain. I would try a side pull or bitless bridle.

And a hackmore with shanks should NOT be used if the horse doesn't know how to neck rein. Yes, direct reining my work, but it's not proper and can put undue stress on the nose and chin. Just like you are not supposed to direct rein with any bit that has shanks, including Tom Thumbs or similar snaffle mouth curb bits.

~Barbara

luvs2ride79 · 03-05-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_rox

I always use a rope hackmore! Its soo much better and is painless for the horse. MY friends horse today was refusing to trot and when he did he would through his head around so I let her try my hackmore and he was trotting like he never had a problem! It was amazing! But ya, like what Just_me says do you ride english or western? Altough I ride both western and english and have no problem but if you compete sometimes there are rules about not using bits but if you dont compete I strongly suggest a rope hackmore or even something similar to a parelli hackmore, they work soooo well!

Sounds like that horse has a combination of problems. 1. His teeth are probably hurting him or he has ulcers in his mouth. 2. The rider has noisy hands making the problem worse. I would call the vet!

~Barbara

mypettingzoo · 03-05-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvs2ride79

A hackmore can be very disturbing to some horses, especially one with long shanks anda chain. I would try a side pull or bitless bridle.

And a hackmore with shanks should NOT be used if the horse doesn't know how to neck rein. Yes, direct reining my work, but it's not proper and can put undue stress on the nose and chin. Just like you are not supposed to direct rein with any bit that has shanks, including Tom Thumbs or similar snaffle mouth curb bits.

~Barbara

He knows how to neck rein. i guess I just think he will be happier with out a bit.. do you think i should just get a rope halter and use that with some leads or what type of thing is going to be comfortable for him???

luvs2ride79 · 03-05-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mypettingzoo

He knows how to neck rein. i guess I just think he will be happier with out a bit.. do you think i should just get a rope halter and use that with some leads or what type of thing is going to be comfortable for him???

I would try a side pull (without the bit option!). They come in a variety of styles and are usually easy to find. Most tack & feed stores carry them. IMO, they have more control than a standard rope halter, and those Parelli rope hackmore things are a bit pricey...

~Barbara

Just_me · 03-05-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky_pine

No, wrong. You CAN direct rein in a hackamore.
And hackamores can be just as harsh as a bit, so ride as if you are still in a bit.

I don`t agree,anything with shanks is not made for direct reining.It puts extra stress on the horse!
If you were talking about a rope hackamore you are probably right

03-05-2006, 12:57 PM	#1
mypettingzoo Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 43 Images: 11	Hackmore or bridle I have a question my horse (arab/quarter) is more responsive to me riding with a halter and lead ropes -vs- me using a bridle. all i have my horses for is trails and work in my own ring so i am wondering do you think he would be better off with a hackmore?? thanks

03-05-2006, 01:31 PM	#2
Just_me Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: europe-the wide wild world:-) Posts: 2,519 Images: 6	Do you ride english or western?I believe you can`t direct rein in a hackamore.If you want direct reining use a bitless bridle. Do you want to use a hackamore just because your horse seems to like it more?if so i would go for it.If your horse has a problem with bits/bridle and that is the reason why you want to switch,you are just covering up the problem and don`t solve it. __________________ ,.:+`The OnLy Place Where YoUr DreAms BecOme ImpoSsIble,Is In YoUr Own ThinKing`+:.,

03-05-2006, 01:39 PM	#3
Prince_rox Full Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where it is cold Posts: 236 Images: 33	I always use a rope hackmore! Its soo much better and is painless for the horse. MY friends horse today was refusing to trot and when he did he would through his head around so I let her try my hackmore and he was trotting like he never had a problem! It was amazing! But ya, like what Just_me says do you ride english or western? Altough I ride both western and english and have no problem but if you compete sometimes there are rules about not using bits but if you dont compete I strongly suggest a rope hackmore or even something similar to a parelli hackmore, they work soooo well! __________________ I love my horse! "A Horse is an angel without wings"

03-05-2006, 03:09 PM	#6
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,289 Images: 38	A hackmore can be very disturbing to some horses, especially one with long shanks anda chain. I would try a side pull or bitless bridle. And a hackmore with shanks should NOT be used if the horse doesn't know how to neck rein. Yes, direct reining my work, but it's not proper and can put undue stress on the nose and chin. Just like you are not supposed to direct rein with any bit that has shanks, including Tom Thumbs or similar snaffle mouth curb bits. ~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!**

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03-05-2006, 01:40 PM	#4
mypettingzoo Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 43 Images: 11	hi thanks for the reply No he has no problem with a bit. i just feel that he responds better with the halter. so for english i need a bit less bridle and for western i can use a hackmore right.... i ride both.

03-05-2006, 01:42 PM	#5
lucky_pine Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,636 Images: 640 Blog Entries: 14	No, wrong. You CAN direct rein in a hackamore. And hackamores can be just as harsh as a bit, so ride as if you are still in a bit.