Hackamore??? My horse likes it, now what?

[Hey_Mickey]

Tell me about riding in hackamore…I’ve never ridden in one before and it does feel very different but my very optioned little mare seems to like it, so I want to make sure I’m getting us started off right.

Any tips or thoughts? I currently have her in a basic cheap one, no curb chain yet -just the leather strap. She does start to lean on it a little towards the end of the ride, but otherwise she seems to be a little more willing to stretch her topline forward.

She is a chronic overreact-er who will give you the opportunity to get “it” right but you only get so many chances but seemed over all less offended. Her bit is a lose ring nathe, she does not do metal bits in her mouth. She does not do a flash noseband but a figure 8 is okay and sometimes a micklem is acceptable. lol lol lol ugh

[Synthesis]

First off, why did you try one? How does she over-react?
I really like how my mare reacts to hers. Its the same one, but I use a curb chain instead of leather strap.

The advantage is that horses who brace through their jaw no longer have anything to brace against. Without that jaw tension running jaw-poll-neck-back, it IS easier for them to stretch out through the topline IF you keep riding forward properly.

Disadvantage, they can learn to lean on it if you ride with ‘contact’ which can turn into curling if you aren’t careful. They can also get heavy on the forehand with the leaning and stumble without enough hind end.

If its working for you, great! Make sure you school with both bridles, there shouldn’t be a dramatic difference in how you ride with one or the other.

PS If you’re having steering problems in the hackamore, its a sign you’re turning primarily from the reins in a bit.

[Hey_Mickey]

Thanks!!!

I decided to try one because, knowing her, I thought she would either really like it or hate it. She’s a bit fussy with her head all the time (she gets regular chiro, teeth, saddles fit pretty well)-its kind of just who she is, the more you ignore it and keep riding the less she does it. I probably don’t use my hands enough to begin with (if that’s possible) and ride her mostly off my seat and legs-she demands it or she won’t even consider going on the bit or doing anything in a half civilized manner. So I figured it was worth trying. She’s over all just a very sensitive, smart, most people would say she can be kind of hot, I think she’s pretty calm but I gallop thoroughbreds for a living. haha. She tends to over react because she reacts before she thinks, then she thinks, and life is good- she typically just wants to go faster, or spin but over time she’s learning how to use her brain first.

She naturally wants to curl-she’s 1/4 arabian, so I’m going to have to be careful about that.

[quietann]

My little mare went in a hackamore like this for jumping, because she was a steam train otherwise, and had a very soft mouth worth preserving for dressage.

[Simbalism]

My older TB mare loves her hackamore. I have been riding her in it for years. If we must absolutely use a bit (for dressage) I ride her in a Happy Mouth Mullen. I never school in it only use for class. https://flic.kr/p/aY92we
https://flic.kr/p/aY92ut

[dog_amp_horsemom]

I use a ‘bitless’ bridle that I bought from ‘advantage horsemanship’ website. It is basically a rope halter with a curb strap. My horses love it - I love it ( no bit to clean) and I have complete control of them. The other day my sister was riding my horse and he crowhopped and she was able to stop him easily. I ride English and canter over poles with it and will start jumping soon and feel very comfortable with it. I also trail ride with it.