What type of hackamore or sidepull do you use for direct reining?

Question

My horse does not neck rein. I've only used hackamores on horses that neck rein and can't see how they'd work on a horse that doesn't. He absolutely hates a bit, I've tried differnet types but when he has a bit in his mouth he gets such anxiety he can't even think, I've had his teeth checked by two different vets and they say hes' fine. He is a very sensitive horse and has had other issues due to past abuse. What would be the drawbacks of using a hackamore??

Answer 1

you should try an AB Sidepull, here's the website, be sure to look at comments and picures links, it will help explain it better. my arab is mouth shy, and i would never use a bit on her anyways, tried many "bitless bridles" none seemed to give lightness and good communication, tried the AB Sidepull, and it's a DREAM!

http://www.handcraftedjewls.com/Handcrafted%20Jewels/Side%20Pulls.htm (not the regular sidepull... scroll down to AB sidepull)

Answer 2

Just a suggestion - teach him to neck rein. A side pull is a side pull - get one and use it, but teach him neck reining as well. Does he respond to leg cues? A horse that does this doesn't need anything else, really. A rider that uses weight shifting and leg cues can stay out of the mouth more.
A side pull works off the nose and is styled more like a halter than a hackamore This should work for your horse, but I would still teach him to neck rein. Be sure you give enough slack in the opposite rein you want him to turn so you won't be acidentally pulling back.
Please don't be offended, but could his anxiety be due to you being too much in his mouth? I have a friend who was taught to ride English, and when she rides a Western horse, she tightens up too much on the reins. Could this be a problem with you?

Answer 3

A Hackamore DOES NOT cut off the horses breathing! It works on 3 pressure points: the nose, the poll, and the chin. I agree that those who use it often do not know where to place it. It is NOT placed too low on the nose as it can damage the cartilage if too much pressure is used.

You can direct rein with ANY bit. It's just a matter of pulling on one side or the other. It's gentler on the horses mouth to do it with a snaffle, but a horse CAN feel the tug. If the horse does not turn, use leg ques and/or pull out (away) from the horse- you may be confusing it by pulling back too much.

The drawbacks to using a hack to direct rein is risking desensitization of ques. When you pull on one side, you tighten the curb strap, pull at the poll, and tug on the nose-all STOP signals. If you can teach your horse to turn from your leg ques, you'll be better off.

ROUND PEN and PRACTICE. Your horse can do anything you teach it to do. With or without bits.

Answer 4

Hackamores are rarely used correctly, and are ineffective and harsh when not used right. Try using a snaffle bit with your horse, and just get your horse used to it. Ride your horse in this bit, but never take harsh contact on it. Once your horse learns you arnt going to pull on its mouth it will calm down with the bit. Hackamores are also kind of pointless because its nearly impossible to make your horse go in a correct frame useing one, and you cant show in them. To me there is no point training my horse in something that I can't use in the show ring, even if you arnt going to be showing this horse, if you ever have to sell him, he stands a better change of a good home if he is ok with a bit. You are doing the horse a favor by getting him used to the bit.

I had a horse that had the same problem. The only bit i could ride him in was a snaffle, i would put any other bit in his mouth and he would panic. I got him to the point where he was ok with the snaffle by putting it in his mouth, putting a halter on over the bridle, and leading him by the halter. I did everything with the bit in his mouth, but I never used it. when I rode i would never touch the bit more than the tiniest movement I would sometimes ride him with the halter over the bit, using a lead rope as reins on the halter. He eventually had no problems with the snaffle. I was never able to get him to go in any other bit.

I also have a suggestion for this problem, teach your horse using spur training methods. By spur training i dont mean just ride with spurs, im referring to the method of training where you ONLY use your legs and voice to control the horse, my horses are trained this way and they dont even need a bridle to be ridden. A spur trained horse will stop when you squeeze your legs, move forward when you bump, set its head when you gently roll your heel on its side, etc. Find an instructor that does this type of training, or google it. Most AQHA trainers now use this type of training. When this training is done correctly you will never need to actually use the spurs (other than light taps or rolls), and you wont need a bridle.

Answer 5

The biggest drawback of hackamores?? That 98% of people using them place them way too far down on the nose and it does more harm than usual.Hackamores work because they cut off your horse's breathing. Sound humane right? No! Make sure it is high enough you don't smother your horse when you try to stop him.

Answer 6

The drawbacks are that you have less control with a very headstrong horse and it can be hard to teach them a proper headset. What I used was a Tom Thumb which was a very low port bar bit with sidepull shanks. That way I could control my horse (he was a stallion) and teach him to neck rein at the same time. Once he learned to neck rein I quit using the bit except for showing.

Answer 7

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/bitlessbridles_092206/

This is a great article that you should read.

Personally I have not used any hackamores on horses that direct rein. I have used a Bosal but that is typically only used on neck reiners I believe. I can't think of any draw backs for the use of hackamores, they promote your horse to listen to your natural aids (seat, hands, voice, etc.) and they also help heavy handed riders get in tune with their seat and balance to control their horses instead of their hands.