S Hackamore

[phantomhorse]

I ride almost exclusively in a s-hack. While I generally neck rein, our endurance horses will sometimes have a high energy moment where direct reining is necessary and I have never had one not understand what I was asking. My DH exclusively direct reins when he rides.

Personally, we use a padded noseband (which we jokingly call a hack-a-less), but I did use a rope-nose on my green horse last season at the beginning of rides, as he got a bit hot to start with.

Many places will customize tack now, so I would think finding a noseband appropriate for a bigger-than-arab horse wouldn’t be a problem.

[DMK]

The Little S has a lot more lateral turn than a traditional hack. I’ve used them over the years to trail ride etc. and they are one of my favorite pieces of equipment. Just note that the original Little S cost around $50-$60, so it might be the cheap knock off that has a record of breaking.

Also I have put a piece of sheepskin on the nose for horses who need a little less of the hard rope pressure.

Also to the person who stole mine out of our tack room when you were dropping off a horse you shipped in from FL way back in 2009, I still hate you. It took me a few days to notice it, but I put two and two together and you suck.

[NancyM]

I’ve used an S hackamore a few times. I added a foam cover (the black insulative foam for water pipes, slit on one side) on the nose piece, and changed the curb chain to a leather strap. And added a “snaffle” rein onto the top of the S, which further lessened the curb action, and improved the steering. But no, you won’t get the same feel as using a bit, not the same sensitivity and precision as a bit. Worth a try though, if you are looking for an alternative to a bit.

[Dressage_Strider]

I have an S hackamore I use on trails, but I also use it with beginner riders. I have never had a problem with steering, even while jumping.