Transitioning from the hackamore to a snaffle bit

Second Chance Equine Association - In this video Scott Downs changes out Fancy's hackamore headset to a regular bridle and snaffle bit.

[@BroganUK]

I can't believe how tame shes becoming!! You've done such an amazing job on her! Good on you xxxx

[@amyhaneycreel]

Watched all the stages of Fancy's progress - would love to know where she is now and what she's done in the years since her rescue. And Mr. Downs: more videos of you training horses from start to finish, please! You're very easy to watch and learn from, solidifying techniques that my personal horse master has demonstrated to me over the years. They work! They work on horses with previous human contact and they work on horses that are so broke that they really do fit the "dead broke" description; dead to the bit, the leg, the lead rope. These techniques and processes wake em right up again and get em thinking.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Amy Creel Hi Amy. Fancy is with me. She is the spokesperson for Second Chance. In fact we just completed a 2 hour free demo for our members on roundpenning and groundwork last Saturday. She has gotten bigger and more beautiful. In fact, we will be doing a FREE horsemanship clinic for our members this memorial day together. Thank you for the kind words.

[@lorenzowilliams1184]

Nice job, very good transition. Like your saddle.

[@Bringholz]

Thank you for your response !

[@SecondChanceEquine]

If you use the tools correctly any job becomes easier. Going to the bit allows the horse to feel you better and therefore respond better. It's easier to refine your cues with a bit. However you do not have to go to the bit, in fact a lot of people don't.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@BroganMurphy When we empower a horse with the ability to reason thru these exercises they become confident and content. Fancy and I have a bond of trust which also was established thru this method of training. It has given her the chance to revealed her gentle soul. I hope other horses out there have the same chance given to them. Thank you for your comment.

[@skylersherker3005]

What brand is that bit and where did you get it? I'm looking for a new snaffle for my horse

[@howshawthebrave]

We always just put a little black treacle on a jointed snaffle & they take to it very willingly.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Thanks kiddo, I'm having a blast with her.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@Bringholz If you are not going to be showing your horse where there are certain rules about bits, then yes it's fine to go bittless. Many people use the bosal or they now have bittless bridles which act the same way as a hackamore where the pressure is on the nose of the horse. The snaffle bit I find helps to refining the horse a bit easier and it is not difficult to make the transition for the horse. Personally I prefer going to the snaffle. Just train your horse to be safe.

[@Bringholz]

Hey Scott :)making very good progress with Destiny.I was searching on info on snaffle bit and guess who I found :) Thank you !!! As you know I am a rookie when it comes to horses . Destiny a.t.m. is in a little S hackamore, flexing in the halter is going well but flex with the hackamore she not getting it following CA and he also uses a snaffle.My riding instructor let me borrow one of her D ring snaffle.you said if one chooses to stay in the hackamore it makes no difference ?advice please :)

[@Bringholz]

Scott will you be making more videos of Fancy's progress ? I would like to watch how you teach her the different leg cues and sidepass etc . Thank you btw my name is Pia :)

[@GoldenLioness100]

If you did the thumb in mouth thing to get them to open their mouth while saying, for example, 'yawn', would the horse eventually learn to open their mouth from the verbal cue?

[@SecondChanceEquine]

I might use the verbal cue "tired?" and have the horse yawn. You can teach a horse most anything if your timing and release is right. Conditioning and response. If I say "foot" Fancy will lift her foot for me and how I trained her to do that was to apply pressure by lightly tapping her foot with a dressage whip until she lifted her foot. As soon as she lifted it I released or stopped the tapping. After awhile she associated the verbal cue with the desired action. You could apply the same principle, instead of tapping her foot you tickle the roof of her mouth and say you cue. If you can do this I want to see a video!

[@GoldenLioness100]

I'll rig up the camera and see what i can do :) might be a while, we have other things to overcome first

[@SecondChanceEquine]

It's a skin condition called Appaloosa, she has had it since birth!

[@SecondChanceEquine]

We can do that. Stay tuned.

[@TheAQHAGirl88]

Am I seeing some Clinton Anderson stuff on your horse? (: Nice video!

[@AmizadeCavalar]

whats the difference betweem sidepull and hackamore?

[@todddowns]

A sidepull bridle provides light control for your horse and eliminates the need for a bit. A hackamore headstall adds leverage and pressure to your horse's nose and chin.

[@AmizadeCavalar]

ok, tks a lot.

[@jessiebutler2554]

I have a 6 year old paintthat was a resure horse I believe she was a kid horse I've been working with her we are at the point were she will not lead herself while under saddle please help

[@SecondChanceEquine]

I would like to help but I am not sure what you mean.

[@jessiebutler2554]

Ok msybe this will help I've done all ground work she does great with takes a saddle and bit once you get on her to ride she will not move almost acts as though she knows nothing but say I'm on her you come up and lead her with a lead rope she will then move does the same thing if trailed behind a horse once you take that away she will stop and refuse to move

[@cyliefields1620]

that sounds like a horse that i have, i will get on her but she will not move when i try to get her to go, she was never taught how to turn when being ridden and when i would cluck or squeeze her sides she did not know what they meant.

[@jellop7229]

you should stay with the hackamore

[@bullantoffroad]

Hopefully you have since invested in a real hackamore set up :)

[@SecondChanceEquine]

There is a saying: Its a poor carpenter that blames his tools for poor work", This headset works for me but I can send you my address if you want to send me a real one...LOL

[@bullantoffroad]

@@SecondChanceEquine lol! It took me a couple of years of trading to get my setup haha! I'm always broke, darn horses

[@pamelasharp9294]

Loved watching you until you did the bit.

[@wishistillhadahorse6958]

if she has learned to yield to pressure and you've already ridden her with the hackamore...why change to using a bit

[@ceilidheyford5744]

wish i still had a horse for competition and refinement

[@peterk8909]

Sorry Scott but you lost me at the bit. The only things that belong in a horse's mouth is food & water...and I'm really being a lot nicer than I feel.

[@ceilidheyford5744]

Peter K why would you be so mad about that?

[@labrakadabra9026]

Bits are unnecessary. In my book they will always be abuse. That would be something they would have used on the poor slaves. You wouldn't want that in your mouth.