PS - I did use a Dr. Cook’s bitless bridle a few years ago and stopped using it because I felt i was constantly fighting to keep the sidepulls even and loose enough when not cueing.
G.P.;
I guess the difference between using a snaffle and using a hack, is that you you just bump softly and you don’t have to “saw” back and forth to get attention. It seems that as soon as I pick up the rein, the weight of the rein gets her attention and she knows that a command or request is coming. You don’t use constant pressure on the reins. They must be fairly loose and even.
In my case, only a VERY light hand is needed, and I really do use my legs more than hands.
( I do ride an Arabian mare, so she really does like the cues to be subtle and lite.) :winkgrin:
She is also trained to neck rein, so a lot of it is just lay the rein on her neck and press with my lower leg.
That said, you have a LOT of stopping power, and few horses will run through the hack, nor can one get the “bit in their teeth” so to speak, and pull against it.
Steve in So. Calif.
Just put it on and go for a ride. I’d tend to keep the horse in a more controlled enviroment for the first ride until you see how he responds. Meaning most horses do just fine at the walk/trot. You just want to get the horse used to it before you let him get spooked of something and become a run away. I don’t like expermenting with horses that are in high excitement mode.
I find if the horse gets a little strong and having trouble getting my Whoa, I just saw the reins a little and he’ll wake up and know what I want.
The transition is not a big deal.
Make sure the hackamore is in good shape. My daughter was riding her Appy in a bosal when the bottom of it came off and she was left with a neck rope along a river at the bottom of a canyon. A few exciting moments, even though Spot was 28 at the time!:lol:
