Mechanical Hackamores // Versatile Horsemanship

[@clarissabusch1027]

Muffin is the perfect name for that horse. Shes so fluffy. I love shaggy winter coats.

[@JessePerez-q1s]

I love your step by step

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@jenniferlehman2464]

Any equipment you use on your horse, can be good or bad. It really is up to the hands of the rider to make any equipment work correctly or not. Best Regards from Ontario, Canada, Jenn.

[@belindanapier3845]

My horse has recently used a snafle. We have tried so many different kinds of bits. And when ever we put a bit in her mouth she will take of and buck and I loss full control of her. I couple of days ago I tried a hackamor on her and all of those problems went away I was amazed. I think there is different kind of pressure with a hackamor. Before with using a normal snafle I did not have any breaks and her bending and turning was really bad. And I could not get her to collect her head. She all ways felt uncomfortable with a snafle. I guess some horses prefer different kinds of pressure. On the other hand my other horse is the total opposite and prefers a snafle. Horses are weird LOL

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'd sure love to know more about it. Every horse is different, so is every rider. My preference is to ride a horse in a snaffle because of the simple way it works, less confusing for the horse. Anytime I have a horse with an issue with the snaffle, I get a vet involved when I think there may be pain. Dental issues can cause a whole heap of problems for a horse to carry a bit. A horses history also makes a big difference. The longer a horse is ridden with a bit in a painful manner (like rough hands from an uneducated rider) the longer it will take them to trust the next person. It would be so nice if they could simply tell us what they want. If only it could be that simple. All we can do is try our best to listen to them. Best of luck to you!

[@leahscroeder9934]

Same with my pony she has a low pallet and can't stand a bit but does great in a bosal

[@jenniferlehman2464]

A lot of horses after they transition from their rubber bit, quite a few riders have gone to the Hack-A-Bit. A combination of the Hackamore with a Bit. Some work well in it, others don't. So at that point, I already have another bit in mind to try, a Mylar Bit. Something they can play with, but can't get their tongue over. The Mylar Bit I use, is a 3 piece Snaffle. It has a smooth bar break in the middle. I first tried it on a horse I was rehabilitating. He was an 8 year old stallion who was a 3 day Eventer. The owner kept him in this bit for Dressage and Show Jumping, but then used a a normal Mylar Snaffle for Cross Country. It worked well for him. It increased his flexion, right and left. Just because he was on stall rest, training can continue. In consultation with the veterinarian!!!! You may/can do a lot of training on the ground, before you even think of adding weight to their back by bellying over. All you do on the ground, should be in preperation of when you have someone holding the lunge line, you the reins, and you laying your belly over their back in preperation of early LIGHT ridden work. Best Regards and Stay Safe, from Ontario, Canada, Jenn.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

😊

[@epona9166]

You've given a good honest description of how the mechanical hackamore works. And the bottom line is that there is absolutely no reason to use one, ever, but you never come out and say that. Also, I'm not a performance rider, but the idea of using one headstall/bit most of the time and then using a more severe one JUST for competition, strikes me as nuts. But like I said, competition isn't my world so it's just my opinion.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Thank you. I think they only have a place in the competition ring and only for certain situations. I personally wouldn’t see a reason to own one otherwise.

[@savannahromannp907]

I have a horse with pretty large wolf teeth, and I was told he was not a good candidate for a bit. I was using a non-cross standard sidepull but my cob was taking a lot of liberties and I felt like I had to use a lot of pressure which made me feel icky. I have transitioned to a well-fitting gel nose band hackamore (that I added fleece to other areas of). Initially my horse was frustrated by it but as my trial session went on, he was responding to very little pressure if any. I was able to focus on my seat and leg cues. That said, I’m getting some real bad looks from folks and it caused me to search, “Are hackamores abusive” and I guess the general consensus is yes? I absolutely do not want to hurt my horse and I try to ride with just my fingers. Any recommendations for a horse that can’t use a bit but requires some more action? He’s so insensitive, however, he’s never been mishandled. I keep getting told by trainers that’s just a common trait in cobs. I am in lessons, and I don’t want to overcompensate with equipment. However, some equipment is absolutely necessary for me.

[@marygerlach3901]

I am a disabled rider that I can use with my horse is a western hackamore because of my disability and I have to use adaptive equipment but if I could use regular equipment I would . But some equestrians have to use the hackamore or other adaptive equipment because they may have a disability .

[@joycefranco8852]

I recently bought a 10yr QH/Welsh mare who has spent the last 8 years on a family farm with little or no training. After months of ground work with her I'm finally ready to do some riding and trying to decide on a bridle. We've used a rubber bit bridle a couple of times but she's not very accepting of the bit, and she froths at the mouth during our ride, even at just a walk. Last week we tried a cross under (Dr Cook) bridle, and she was great, but I feel like the release of pressure is not immediate. I'd really like to try a side pull type or even better use reins attached to her chin ring like you would when leading. I'm not looking to ride at competition level...I'm 64, so mostly looking for quiet calm riding. Any advice?

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

I start them in a rope halter. I am personally not a fan of the cross under bridles, I feel like they are confusing to the horses. My preference is direct contact, like a basic snaffle bit or a halter. I don't ride them in a halter too long because they can learn to lean on it. I get them going really good in a snaffle and then don't mind switching back to a halter. Best of luck to you!

[@joycefranco8852]

@@VersatileHorsemanship Thanks Brandi!

[@leahscroeder9934]

My pony has a low pallet and does terrible with a bit and she does better bitless. I have a bosal she does good with but I struggle with the really long reins as haflingers have short necks what do you recommend for bitless?

[@AndalusiaX7]

Hi, I love your videos and watch everyone. Would you please do a video of all the types of bits and br Bits and bridles that you have and the use for them and depending on the horse that use them on for which discipline. I would love to learn more about them if you wouldn't mind during a video of them and I think it would be very good to learn not just for myself but for others that are also learning about all the different kinds and the reason pros and cons in that kind of a thing for them please consider this request if possible but I really do appreciate my love watching your videos my whole family does thank you for your time to do the videos and for your time to post videos they are appreciated thank you your subscriber.

[@queenviva2662]

im getting a stop and turn hack for my ottb mare cause she CANNOT have a bit in her mouth she just gets very scared and throws her head a lot

[@stevehuey5729]

Off topic but hey that's me😂 where did you get those reins on the little S ?

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

steve huey oh gosh I’ve had those for 10-15 years. They are probably from Smith Brothers or NRS. I really like the knots on them and they are braided leather.

[@bellahuey8032]

@@VersatileHorsemanship thank you. I loved them too!😊

[@bradsellers2053]

For a forward horse that doesn't stop on seat/leg cues alone, what's the best way to use a mechanical hackamore to get them to slow down and for a full stop. A lesson horse I rode recently pushed right through quite a bit of backpressure. I didn't know at the time not to apply equal pressure on both reins.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Brad Sellers I make sure all of my horses have a solid foundation in a snaffle bit before putting anything else on them.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

A horse can do very well without a bit. Traditional hackamore or rope halter with lead line converted to reins. Never a mechanical hackamore.

[@sherrynelson8256]

There's no reason to use a bit or a hackamore. A halter is all you need if the horse is trained right

[@evekelly7102]

Using a bridle or something more functional then a halter for competing or rodeos is actually way better then a halter. My horses are road in halters when I’m not training or in the arena but riding in a halter permanently isn’t ideal for everyone. Edit: also just because are horse doesn’t like being road in a halter doesn’t mean they aren’t trained. Some halters can cause irritation or any halter in general. Some of the best trained horses have preferences and don’t like being road in something without a bit because of their preferences.

[@amyney6517]

Sorry but I STRONGLY disagree on this. Bits cause WAY too much pain. Nut cracker effect, too much tongue, pallet, and bar pressure. My horse does WAY better in a hackamore. My horse REFUSES to ride in a bit after riding in a hack. She was trained in a bit, and after trying the hackamore she is a mess in a bit... but I’ve taken the measures to teach her verbal commands such as WHOA so I don’t need to be on her face and cause pain. If done correctly and properly, hacks are a better option per to bits.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

It depends on the horse, the rider, and their situation . It’s ok to disagree, we are not all in the same situation. As long as you are doing what’s best for you, that’s all that matters 😊

[@georgiagonzales3769]

Where is your mare and baby ? Never see any videos anymore 🤔 loved watching the journey ❤️

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Georgia Gonzales they are doing well. I will post updates when I have time to edit. There’s a lot going on at the farm in the summer.

[@geraldinerice5371]

If u were to watch think like a horse u wouldn't use bits at all.

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

gerldine rice that’s not true. I have watched some of his videos and I can say that I don’t always agree with what he has to say. Sometimes I ride in a halter and sometimes I ride with a bit. I feel like it depends on the situation, the horse, the rider, and their goals.

[@seaschulainn]

"Think Like a Horse" is very often over dramatic.

[@geraldinerice5371]

@@seaschulainn yeah but let's think about it, a big metal bit in ur mouth being pulled about, dosent sound to nice. Have u seen some of those bits. He used to work at a stable and has seen things that would make , I'll say us cry. That's why hes protective of horses.

[@dolphinjoe9809]

@@geraldinerice5371 A thin piece of rope pulling against your face doesn't sound too good either. Both bitless and bits can cause pain and damage you just need to be educated on how both interact with the horse's anatomy. If you ride properly a bit shouldn't be pulling on the horse's mouth. Rick has some good points but he is definitely not the best horseman and I wouldn't base my knowledge off of him solely.