When is a horse ready for a hackamore?

MelissaH · 05-17-2008, 07:11 AM

I was just curious. I read in some magazine that the horse had to be completely finished. What is completely finished anyway.

cutter123 · 05-17-2008, 07:18 AM

a horse is ready for a hackamore when he knows his job and how to move correctly, when he comes off the riders leg and responds to the three reins in a snaffle (direct, indirect, neck reins) (neck rein in a snaffle is a supporting rein, not one handed riding). when he stays soft and relaxed and responsive. if there are holes in his foundation, they will show up worse in a hackamore. it is really easy for a horse to learn to be on the muscle and start running through the hackamore if the rider is not savvy on how to use one properly.

p.s. i am talking about the rawhide noseband type hackamore, also called a bosal. i do not include mechanical hackamores in this; those are completely different

CowGirlUp1833 · 05-17-2008, 07:39 AM

I don't believe any horse is "completely finished", but thats a whole other debate. I'm sure what they mean is fairly polished and not green.

MelissaH · 05-17-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

I don't believe any horse is "completely finished", but thats a whole other debate. I'm sure what they mean is fairly polished and not green.

I think along the same lines as you. For example....Dubie. I don't consider him finished or ever will be. He's ridable and he responds pretty good.

Kicks · 05-17-2008, 08:11 AM

Are you talking about a bosal or a mechanical hackamore?

Most of the people I know that use bosals start the horse in the bosal then advance to a snaffle.

Haas Horse Farm · 05-17-2008, 08:20 AM

What kind of hackamore? There are many different ones. That is unfortunately a not so great term as it does not mean just one thing. There are bosals, mechanicals, jumping, fuzzy fleecey ones, etc.

My question is why are you going to move the horse into the hackamore? I am always curious the thought process behind changing a bit or what up to now had worked. What benefit is the hackamore going to provide?

cutter123 · 05-17-2008, 09:04 AM

haas, i dont know what the op would say, but in working cow horse competition, there is a "training scale" of sorts...

a young horse is shown for a year or two in a snaffle bit, and then moves to a hackamore (bosal ) for a year or two, and then to a two-rein, which is a light small bosal under a bridle (spade or half breed curb bit) for a year and then "straight up" in the bridle.

the hackamore is considered among stock-horsemen a good transition between the direct action of a snaffle and the leverage/neck rein action of a bridle, because it has elements of both and can help the horse make the connection. a rider rides two handed in a hackamore and uses a`bump and release to direct rein the horse, something it already knows from its snaffle days. however, the neck rein becomes more important and the action of the bosal makes it so the cue is felt on the oppostie side of the horses jaw. so he, in effect, learns how to follow his nose even off a neck rein. traditional hackamore horsemen often use mecate reins made out of horsehair, which aids in the teaching of a neck rein.

in the two rein, the horse learns to pack the bridle (carry it properly in his mouth) while still receiving cues from the bosal, which he knows.

a bridle horse can be ridden one handed with very light subtle rein cues. (*in theory....im talking about a properly trained one of couse!*) which is condusive for their high precision job of working cattle, in whick the rider must ride one handed, often needing a hand free to rope or work gates.

as for mechanical hackamores, etc, i do not know too much about those. perhaps someone else can contribute?

MelissaH · 05-17-2008, 10:52 AM

I'm not changing my bit I am just asking.

05-17-2008, 07:11 AM	#1
MelissaH Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,248 Images: 163 Blog Entries: 4	When is a horse ready for a hackamore? I was just curious. I read in some magazine that the horse had to be completely finished. What is completely finished anyway. __________________ I'm real curious about how all four candidates feel about NAIS, about maintaining horse access on federal lands, and about what bit to use on a gaited horse! ~Johne

05-17-2008, 07:39 AM	#3
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Holland Lake Shore, West Michigan Posts: 16,029 Images: 384 Blog Entries: 33	I don't believe any horse is "completely finished", but thats a whole other debate. I'm sure what they mean is fairly polished and not green. __________________ www.Equine-Endeavors.com "Horses are like potato chips - You can't have just one" ~Unknown Yay! I'm down to just 3 right now!! Those meetings must be helping!

05-17-2008, 10:52 AM	#8
MelissaH Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,248 Images: 163 Blog Entries: 4	I'm not changing my bit I am just asking. __________________ I'm real curious about how all four candidates feel about NAIS, about maintaining horse access on federal lands, and about what bit to use on a gaited horse! ~Johne

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05-17-2008, 07:18 AM	#2
cutter123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Posts: 514 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 10	a horse is ready for a hackamore when he knows his job and how to move correctly, when he comes off the riders leg and responds to the three reins in a snaffle (direct, indirect, neck reins) (neck rein in a snaffle is a supporting rein, not one handed riding). when he stays soft and relaxed and responsive. if there are holes in his foundation, they will show up worse in a hackamore. it is really easy for a horse to learn to be on the muscle and start running through the hackamore if the rider is not savvy on how to use one properly. p.s. i am talking about the rawhide noseband type hackamore, also called a bosal. i do not include mechanical hackamores in this; those are completely different

05-17-2008, 08:11 AM	#5
Kicks Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beautiful Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 2,131 Images: 17	Are you talking about a bosal or a mechanical hackamore? Most of the people I know that use bosals start the horse in the bosal then advance to a snaffle.

05-17-2008, 09:04 AM	#7
cutter123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Posts: 514 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 10	haas, i dont know what the op would say, but in working cow horse competition, there is a "training scale" of sorts... a young horse is shown for a year or two in a snaffle bit, and then moves to a hackamore (bosal ) for a year or two, and then to a two-rein, which is a light small bosal under a bridle (spade or half breed curb bit) for a year and then "straight up" in the bridle. the hackamore is considered among stock-horsemen a good transition between the direct action of a snaffle and the leverage/neck rein action of a bridle, because it has elements of both and can help the horse make the connection. a rider rides two handed in a hackamore and uses a`bump and release to direct rein the horse, something it already knows from its snaffle days. however, the neck rein becomes more important and the action of the bosal makes it so the cue is felt on the oppostie side of the horses jaw. so he, in effect, learns how to follow his nose even off a neck rein. traditional hackamore horsemen often use mecate reins made out of horsehair, which aids in the teaching of a neck rein. in the two rein, the horse learns to pack the bridle (carry it properly in his mouth) while still receiving cues from the bosal, which he knows. a bridle horse can be ridden one handed with very light subtle rein cues. (in theory....im talking about a properly trained one of couse!) which is condusive for their high precision job of working cattle, in whick the rider must ride one handed, often needing a hand free to rope or work gates. as for mechanical hackamores, etc, i do not know too much about those. perhaps someone else can contribute?