hackamores?

Question

are hackmores more comortable for horses than eggbutt snaffle bits?

Answer 1

I rode my Arabian in both a snaffle (eggbutt French snaffle bit with somewhat fattish links) and a hackamore (rawhide bosal without the usual metal cable inside), and he seemed equally comfortable in each.

I think the two more crucial factors in the comfort for the horse, assuming that the bit and hackamore both fit correctly, are the rider's hands and whether the horse responds properly to the bit and hackamore.

If the rider is not light-handed then it doesn't really matter what kind of bridle is used, it's going to be unpleasant if not actually painful for the horse. A properly adjusted hackamore can cause a horse a lot of discomfort to the jawbones and nasal bones if it isn't used with discretion; the fact that it doesn't have a bit doesn't mean it isn't capable of causing a lot of discomfort-- particularly if it's a mechanical hackamore or a cable-cored rawhide hackamore.

I think you also have to take into account what your horse responds best to. If a horse tends to "run through" a certain kind of bit or a hackamore, obviously the rider is going to have to use more powerful aids to get the message through, and this is not a good thing. Some horses just don't do well with certain kinds of bridles, and it is not a kindness to use a milder bridle or bit than the horse responds well to. To some extent this is a training issue, but it can also be an individual thing. I've known horses that were aggressive enough and willful enough that you just couldn't ride them tactfully with a snaffle bridle; you'd be hanging on their mouths all the time, whereas if you used a curb bit of some kind, you got their attention and needed to use the bit much less severely to get an appropriate response. It all depends on the horse.

I think what you have to do is try things out on your horse and see how he responds. He'll let you know, through the relaxation you feel in his jaw, neck and body in general, how he feels about what you're using. Good luck!

Addendum after I read Starlight's response: a rubber snaffle sounds like a good idea, but apparently some of the black-rubber coated snaffles must taste hideous. This is the only kind of bit my horse ever refused to allow into his mouth. He would raise his head so I couldn't reach his mouth, whip his head from side to side, and generally raise hell and make it impossible for me to get him to take the bit.

I remember reading a little snippet in Equus magazine about treating a black rubber bit to make it taste less awful, but I cannot for the like of me remember what the treatment involved. Anyway, after the fuss my horse put up over the rubber bit, I'd hesitate to try one of those again. Maybe the while plastic ones that are supposed to taste like green apple are better.

Answer 2

Hackamores are bitless bridles that work by putting pressure on 3 places on the horse's head- the nose, the jaw, and the poll ( the top of the head between the ears). They are effective training tools for horses who cannot be ridden with a bit because of mouth problems, or for horses that are very sensitive and shouldn't have anything in their mouths. However, hackamores DO pose problems of their own, including great potential for teaching horses bad habits such as running away, rearing (hackmores should NEVER be yanked on hard, as they will cause the horse great pain) and in some cases, bucking and spinning. Hackamores are not suitable bridles for beginner riders, and are usually not a good idea for young horses in training or just starting out. An eggbutt or rubber snaffle is a better choice for a young horse in training. Hackamores can be just as bad as bits, when it comes to the issue of abuse. If one does decide to use one, care must be taken to make sure it fits the horse properly- they can cause painful sores if this is not done. The longer the shank on the hackamore, the more power you have for pulling, and the greater the potential for abuse, so it is important, critical, in fact, that the rider have kind, sensitive hands. Hackamores are training tools, NOT a substitute for proper handling and care.

Answer 3

I think a lot depends on the horse and the rider. and the type of riding that you do.

I work at a therapeutic riding center, and for the students they use hackmores. The students are children with special needs, who may suddenly yank on the reins. The hackmore doesn't put any pressure on the horses mouth. Rather, it puts pressure across the top of their nose.

However, when I ride the horses for exercise or training, I use a snaffle. I prefer the added level of control that I have, that the snaffle gives me.

I have always ridden in a bit. I think if you have a very well trained horse, a hackmore would be plenty. If someone has active hands and is always pulling on the horse's mouth, a hackmore would be better, as it causes less discomfort for the horse. There are also certain medical conditions that would require a hackmore as a bit would cause the horse a lot of pain.

If you have a more high strung horse, or one that is in training or is nervous, a bit is better. As it is a bit more "harsh" it gives you a bit more control.

Hehe, I am sure if you ask the horse, the horse would say "buy the hackmore!". :-P

Answer 4

Well this answer won't be that long but anyways...

My horse has a hackamore and when I first got her I was not

use to it at all! So over the summer I tried to teach her to

neck rein. She was learning pretty well but she still needed

that pull on that one side. So one day I was riding her well

trotting because I had to use the horn to stay on but I had to

let go to turn her and I noticed that I wasn't holding onto the

horn! So then after that I tried it again from just a stop and I

could do it. But the lady said when we got her that if I wanted

to try to neck rein to use some of these bits, but I didn't use

any bits and it was hard to teach her, but the lady said she

trained her as a hackamore because she would not work

good AT ALL in bits, any kind! She said she tried almost

every kind that would be good for her but nothing worked so

she tried to train her into a hackamore and that worked very

good.

SO it really would depend on the horse and how the rider

handled her/him and if the horse was responding to it and

working okay with it. Aparently my horse was not okay with

the bits but of-course your horse is probably different, but

he/she might be the same! So just see what your horse likes

better and if your horse likes it see if you do to!



♥hOpE i HeLpEd!!!♥

Answer 5

depends a lot on your horse. a hackamore will give you a lot of nose pressure so you must be light handed with it. I train quite a few and i've found that your goin to have some problems getting them used to it at first but most will come around to it after a while. honestly you should probably just stick with the eggbutt if this is what the horse is used to and their not giving you any problems with it.

Answer 6

anyone who answered this question actually know what a hacakmore is? its a bittless bridel of course its gonna be more comferable on a horse. an eggbutt is a prtty soft bit too so if you need something a bit more than a hackamore a full cheeck snaffle or eggbutt are you best bets.

Answer 7

no