Types of Hackamores

[BaileyTW]

OK, so I’m thinking for my work out on the trail and when I go out with my friend, who does endurance, I would like to get my horse, Baloo, a hackamore. He does well bitless, I ride him in a halter sometimes and when I bought him, his previous owners used a long-shanked “western” hackamore on him. When I go out with my friend we sometimes do long rides so its nice to let him eat when we take a break, and he also has an active mouth that seems to quiet down when he doesn’t have a bit.

However, he doesn’t neck rein reliably and I am not used to neck reining. I get confused, like when I drive my friend’s car that is automatic. lol. I’ve only ever driven stick.

He is well behaved, I don’t have trouble stopping him (over the summer the problem is usually keeping him going!) but I need something I can direct rein with and steer with.

Can you talk to me about hackamores, the different types, what you like, don’t like, etc?
I’m thinking an “english” hackamore might be a good idea?

[LeisureRide]

Hi Bailey.

An english hack is exactly what I’d recommend for you. I’ve been using one for many years. I can get good flex and nice give with it, unlike when I tried using a long shanked hack. I just got a new one last year from SmartPak. I think you’ll be happy w/ your decision to use this type of hackamore.

[GallopingGrape]

Soft nose rope sidepull is wonderful too! No shanks (like the english hackamore) and it is direct rein.

[gypsymare]

I know a lot of folks swear by the little “S” hack for its light weight. I like my English hackamore. It’s a bit heavier, but seems to be comfortable enough.

[SharonA]

Which one for more contact?

A few weeks/months ago, someone on this forum mentioned that one hackamore – I think the English hackamore – was better if you tended to need to check in with your horse more. I can’t find this in the archives at the moment (the search function is verrrrrryyy slow right now). Could anyone comment on this?

Horse likes her bit just fine, but it would be nice for her to eat more easily and just not have something in her mouth for hours on the trail. Yesterday, I am proud to say, she drank from a stream for the first time since I’ve had her. It would have been nice had she not chosen to have this epiphany while I was leading her through a thigh-high (on me) crossing, but let’s not be picky. She was drinking. Sure I had to stand there in the swamp for 5 minutes while she blew bubbles and pondered the meaning of existentialism in the 21st century, but my mildewing was nothing compared to Her Highness’ comfort and enjoyment, procurement of which comfort and enjoyment is my only goal in life. That, and getting another cell phone, as I forgot that I had the phone in my half-chaps and cell phones don’t appreciate swimming.

[acoustic]

If your horse generally responds nicely, a beetle hackamore would work nicely. A little S hack is gentle as well. If your horse tends to get stiff when working in a hackamore, I recommend the Bozo Sidepull. That’s what I ride my horse in. It fits differently than most hackamores, but offer more flex and don’t encourage a horse to stiffen.

Here’s what it looks like: It hangs looser on the face and seems a little sloppy, but my horse loves it, and he’s a sensitive guy (I covered it in vetrap and sheepskin since this photo, makes it nice and soft).

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/caughtbuckinoff/TrailRideOct192008/trailride1019030.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/caughtbuckinoff/RonnieRiding1208/ronnieriding029.jpg

Just another option for you =)

[2Horse]

I love the Jim Warner hack. The shanks rotate for lots of flex. The nose does not drop down like any other hack does. It doesn’t make your horse stiff like most hacks do.
It’s pricey at around $75 but well worth it!

[BaileyTW]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! Its very helpful to hear from all of you so I can learn a bit more about hackamores. Hmmm, lots to think about now!

Thanks again!

[dreamswept]

I like the english hack. I trail ride with my pony in one.

[ponygrl25]

I use a modified sidepull on one of my girls and a Jim Warner hack on the other. I took the sidepull off the bridle it comes on because it was waaayyyy too big for my ponies in every way. Took it apart until it is just the rope nose, 2 rings on each side, and the leather chin strap. I covered the nose with a polarfleece cover that I sewed on for less bulk and added a ring to the chin strap for the use of a lead rope like a halter. Then put it on a bridle thet actually fit and snapped my fav reins on. I may add a fleece to the chin strap also if it starts to rub on longer rides.
The JW hack is great on my older hard mouthed mare for low key rides, but I haven’t used it on any other horses yet. Pony goes well with it - neck reins, backs, sidepasses, etc. but she is well trained to do most of this off the leg, I don’t know how she would do in a higher stress situation. It might not be enough for her, she is still quite a fireball at 27.
I would try the sidepull first, as it is cheaper( in an enclosed area). If it is not enough the next thing I would try is the english hack. I have never used one, but I have read several good reviews about them and they are not too pricey. I am planning to add one to my collection very soon. Good luck and keep us posted:cool:

[Simbalism]

I ride my Tb mare in an English hackamore. I added a piece of halter fleece at the noseband and she loves it.

[matryoshka]

Jumping hackamore

Here’s a jumping hackamore: http://www.saddleuptack.com/webcat/items/item880.htm

It’s a rolled leather noseband that has rings to attach your reins. You simply substitute it for a bit, no special modifications are necessary. I’ve used this successfully on quite a few horses, but it does not have a lot of stopping ability. I like to ride with contact, and my horses respond well to it…once I know they aren’t runaways. For horses who get stronger when they get fit, you might have to sub it out for something with more stopping power as the season progresses.

My current horse, a young Arabian, sometimes spooks and throws her nose straight up in the air. The above noseband is not a good option for such a horse. For her, I chose the Little S. I bought mine at Tractor Supply. You can line the noseband with fleece if you want. For my young Arab, I need the stopping power, so I kept flexing the noseband until it got a little less rigid, and she goes fine. The shanks are short enough not to cause a problem if you like some contact.

[Chall]

I took the bit off of my bridle, put a foam pad under the nose band, duct taped it to hold it there, re-attached the reins to the end of the bridle where the bit used to be and ride in that.
My hard mouthed Arab rides the same in that as when he had a bit in.
It looks like an jumping hackamore and it didn’t cost anything

I do check my brakes before I ride. If they not functioning I install the bit or pass on the ride. My TB I slid this contraption on, and his reaction (he got really excited) to just having it on told me I would never, ever, ever try this with him.

[matryoshka]

Whatever works.

[chicamuxen1]

English hackamore user here, for years. You can replace the nosepiece with a neoprene lined biothane strap that is adjustable in length, good custom fit which many hackamores don’t have. Put a nice wide english curb chain on it, which spreads the pressure out wider then a narrow chain does, prevents skin rubs if your horse does decide to pull. You can flex them laterally and vertically, direct rein, neck rein, short shank is milder but definitely give you much better brakes than a halter, sidepull or bitless bridle style. Better safe than sorry!

Bonnie S.

[matryoshka]

I always carried a bit when I rode in the noseband, just in case my horse got overly excited. Then again, I was riding OTTB’s.

[tpup]

Are any of the hackamores you are discussing a “Micklem?” A friend is loaning me hers - haven’t tried it yet but wondering what your thoughts are. My horse loves the break from his bitted bridle to his rope halter…so I am willing to try the Micklem. Any opinions? We do basic flatwork, are working hard on balancing canter and getting rhythm at canter, and we trail ride.

[Painted_Horse]

I’ve used the Little S on my Arab gelding for the last 10 years. Works great if your horse is wel broke. The Little S hackamore doesn’t have much WHOA built into it. So it’s not the right bit for a horse that doesn’t know how to stop.

[matryoshka]

Link to the Micklem:

http://www.williammicklem.com/multibridle.html

Scroll down to see it presented as a bitless bridle. The author claims his bridle avoids the “extreme molar damage” caused by other bitless bridles. Huh? He needs to get an editor to go over his web site. Numerous misspellings and some hyphens out of nowhere. If he’s making any money off of sales, he needs to devote some of it to the web site.

Also, the claims of “frequent damage” are not supported, other than to say it is obvious when looking at the skull.

It might be a great bridle, for all I know, but I don’t get a warm fuzzy from the web site.

tpup, will you let us know what you think of it? I’m curious, but not curious enough to search one out to try for myself.

[SharonA]

It’s heavy!!

I just received my English Hackamore (5" shanks, fleece-padded nose band, curb chain) in the mail, and it’s heavy!! I think the hackamore alone weighs as much as my whole bridle with its snaffle bit. Too much weight on Madame’s delicate teacup nose. Since the goal of trying a hackamore was to be minimal on Madame’s face, I think we’ll send the hackamore back, and get one of those Endurance bridles where you can unclip the bit after the first five miles (I’m not going bitless for the first five).