Trying out an English Hackamore. Any advice?

[donnamm]

Hi, My TB isnt keen on a bit in his mouth (everything has been checked), and grinds teeth, opens mouth, chucks his head in the air when I try to check him. So I borrowed an English Hackamore and have used it on him the past 2 nights, at first he tried to do his usual head chucking and had a tantrum when he saw a fence or reached a canter spot and couldnt do his usual trick, but he seems to have adapted very well, and now doesnt resist, and I only use a paper thin contact on the reins. Its amazing. No opening mouth, or grinding his teeth either.

However, I have only ridden him in it on our land and havent summoned up the courage to venture out on a hack. Does anyone have any advise/experience, good or bad? I read another thread saying that it made her horse buck! :confused:

Dont think I'll bother with that hack tonight then ;) Will wait for feedback from you guys. Thanks in advance:D

[donnamm]

Anyone have any advice?

[Rosie1994]

Sorry I dont have any advice but I'd be interested to hear from other people too. I've been thinking of trying a hackamore too. I've been using a mullen mouth pelham, but have just gone back to a snaffle but with a grackle noseband. She seems happier in the milder bit overall, but I dont have the brakes.

[mikew]

hi
i used to use a hackamore on my old mare as she was a rearer and liked to bolt .
i used it with a running martingale and never had a problem with her .i even show jumped her and done xc in it out hacking she still would rear and plung on the way home but not as high as when in a bit as she hated any contact on her mouth at any time so i found it was best to ride her with very light contact and just took up more contact when she was abit too fully of herself .
i hope that helps you .

[donnamm]

Hi, Thanks that sounds familiar. Mines much better, jumping in it and working in the arena, but can still be a sod when out hacking - but that sounds a lot loke your mare. :D

[mikew]

Hi, Thanks that sounds familiar. Mines much better, jumping in it and working in the arena, but can still be a sod when out hacking - but that sounds a lot loke your mare. :D

lol yes it does lol

she was still in work until she was 34yo and never changed but sadly was pts at 38yo .
i had her 15years but she was always a bit on her toes (walking was hard ) but any fast paces she would do lol

mike xx

[donnamm]

oh bless - 38 is a good age though. Hope mine lasts as long. Im taking mine to his 1st show in a few weeks - as you can imagine as you'v had a fizzy steed - im dreading it! He will probably go mental and show me up. Tried to bottle out but people at work have taked me into it. Think I might self medicate some of that instant calmer for myself..

[horseshoe]

I also have a horse who opens his mouth to try and evade the bit, he had VERY long teeth when i got him and am thinking of a bitless bridle with him.

So keep us posted on how you get on, especially on your first hack.

[donnamm]

Hi,

Eventually plucked up the courage to go on a hack. He was ok until two strange horses went past and he started to prance and get very excited. When i was pushing him forward he was kind of leaping in the air on all 4 legs. He looked really tensed in the neck as well. After a time and a severe case of whip lash he calmed down a bit – but I didn’t enjoy being unseated by his leaping. I think he might of felt restricted which caused him to leap. Saying that he was great jumping in the hackamore. I don’t know if yours does this but mine usually ploughs into jumps and tries to evade the bit when I steady him. Iv rode him 6 times in it in total.

I thought I would try a myler combination bit. Have you heard of those? Someone on another thread gave me the name of a website www.shop4bits.com where you can pay £5 to get any of their bits on a 30 day trial. If you like it you can pay the full amount and if you don’t you can send it back a trial another. I asked the bit specialist at the local tack shop and she recommended trying a Myler combo as well before I commit to buy. So rather than buy one and discover its no good – I borrow them from this website. Its great. Here is some info about Mylers. http://www.belstane.com/myler/myler11.htm They act like a hackamore but only up to a certain point, so I thought id give it a try.

Will let you know how we go