Jumping hackamore and transitioning back to the bit

[see u at x]

For the past few months, I've been schooling one of my mares in a jumping hackamore because she appears to have some psychological issues with having a bit in her mouth. Since making the switch, she's been going much better for me and we're definitely progressing with our training.

However, this horse theoretically is supposed to end up being my show hunter and/or lower level dressage horse someday, so reacquainting her with the bit is going to be a necessity soon. I'm willing to take as long as it takes, because I don't believe in pushing too far or too fast, so that isn't a problem at all. My hope is to take her into some schooling shows this year and I know that some of the shows are going to be well before I try to acclimate her to the bit again.

Now, I know that the hackamore is considered "unconventional" so I'm either NOT going to place at all in my classes or I will get penalized for it. Frankly, I just want my horse out there and getting the experience, so before someone says, "Oh, you're not going to place, etc." I just want to say that IT'S OK...winning ribbons is not my objective at this stage of the game. :) They're schooling shows that cost $6-10 a class, so no biggie.

What I'm wondering is if there's anyone out there who can offer some good advice on how to transition back to the bit when it is time? I have some ideas from my trainer, but I want to hear other ideas as well in case our plan doesn't work or maybe someone else with have better thoughts on the matter.

Also, and this is purely out of idle curiousity, a friend of mine told me that the jumping hackamore used to be OK for hunters. Is that true? And if so, why did it become unconventional?

[Prima Donna]

For the past few months, I've been schooling one of my mares in a jumping hackamore because she appears to have some psychological issues with having a bit in her mouth. Since making the switch, she's been going much better for me and we're definitely progressing with our training.

However, this horse theoretically is supposed to end up being my show hunter and/or lower level dressage horse someday, so reacquainting her with the bit is going to be a necessity soon. I'm willing to take as long as it takes, because I don't believe in pushing too far or too fast, so that isn't a problem at all. My hope is to take her into some schooling shows this year and I know that some of the shows are going to be well before I try to acclimate her to the bit again.

Now, I know that the hackamore is considered "unconventional" so I'm either NOT going to place at all in my classes or I will get penalized for it. Frankly, I just want my horse out there and getting the experience, so before someone says, "Oh, you're not going to place, etc." I just want to say that IT'S OK...winning ribbons is not my objective at this stage of the game. :) They're schooling shows that cost $6-10 a class, so no biggie.

What I'm wondering is if there's anyone out there who can offer some good advice on how to transition back to the bit when it is time? I have some ideas from my trainer, but I want to hear other ideas as well in case our plan doesn't work or maybe someone else with have better thoughts on the matter.

Also, and this is purely out of idle curiousity, a friend of mine told me that the jumping hackamore used to be OK for hunters. Is that true? And if so, why did it become unconventional?

I'm actually trying the same thing with my mare. She is sooo much happier in the hackamore. When she has a bit in, she is so fussy that it makes her not too fun to ride. I have been riding for about 30 minutes in the hackamore and once she is relaxed, I put the bit in. I just let her walk with loose contact until any chewing stops. Then I trot her with loose contact until any chewing stops. Finally (after about an hour total), she starts to frame up without chewing.

I wish hackamores were conventional tack!

[see u at x]

I'm actually trying the same thing with my mare. She is sooo much happier in the hackamore. When she has a bit in, she is so fussy that it makes her not too fun to ride. I have been riding for about 30 minutes in the hackamore and once she is relaxed, I put the bit in. I just let her walk with loose contact until any chewing stops. Then I trot her with loose contact until any chewing stops. Finally (after about an hour total), she starts to frame up without chewing.

I wish hackamores were conventional tack!

What a good idea! It sounds like she's definitely coming around for you, and I may have to try this. Thank you...you give me hope! :) I wish they were conventional, too. My mare will stretch out and come up into my hands so nicely with the hackamore that it's amazing how different she is. Before, I was riding her in a french link, but I might experiment with a happy mouth, as well...anything to make it more pleasant for her.

[cgray0983]

You can certainly try a snaffle - Happy Mouth...french, loose-ring or d-ring.

I am a huge hackamore fan - I ride at home in one all the time. Since you mentioned above that you are not so interested in the winning/ribbons aspect of showing, why not try her in some jumper classes - they start quite low these days and you don't have to go fast - some are even just clear-round classes. You can go to the show in the hackamore and have some nice rounds without having to worry about not having the right bit in OR worrying about horse happiness.

If in the future you want to get more competitive in the ring, then you can switch back to whatever bit works from schooling at home. And having gotten some shows under your belt with a happy "hackamored" horse, maybe the transition to hunters/a bit will be easier instead of throwing everything at her at once :)

I too, wish it weren't "unconventional" - I have a horse that run run runs through even a slow-twist-full cheek gag, ugh. I guess the good side is, he will no longer be able to jump due to injury, so no more pulling, plain old flat work and trailriding from now on!

[Release First]

I broke a horse in a jumping hackamore because he was uncomfortable in a bit from the time we first hung one in his mouth. After he was solid on the aids, I then started to ride in both the hackamore and the bit. I eventually rode with two sets and reins and then finally just the bit. I left the hackamore on for a while after I stopped using it so if we got in some type of disagreement I could use the hackamore to make things simpler. I eventually showed him in hunter and equitation with no problems.

[virtus02]

I also ride my horse in a hackamore because of a mouth injury. I wish it was allowed too!!! Some rulebooks claim that a hackamore and "other leverage bits and gags" are not allowed in the hunters and equitation. But HELLO aren't pehlams leverage bits and they are everywhere these days?!?! Very frustrating, just feel accomplished if you can softly ride your horse in a gentle jumping hackamore because that is something a lot of people wouldn't be able to do and if it makes your horse happy, then you should be happy :). Good luck switching back to a bit. The idea about the hackabit sounding bridle might make her comfortable.

[crosscreeksh]

Years ago I had a lovely, flashy black TB gelding with major "mouth" issues. A VERY BNT had bought him off the track and tried to make a show hunter out of him for over a year with no success and even worse experiences. They even sent him BACK to the track to try losing him in a claiming race. I went and bought him after my husband told me what a great mover he was..but he had terrible issues with his mouth - up to threatening to flip if you messed with him. I put him in a soft dog bone bit - straight rubber bar with no joint. Then I added an overcheck type rig by buckling a leather strap across his nose from the top of the bit ring on each side. I adjusted it tight enough that when I put pressure on the reins to turn or stop the strap acted like a jumping hackamore. He was wonderful in that rig and after a year I could show him with just the dog bone bit and he cleaned up in the hunters. When I evented him I did dressage in the db bit and cross country and stadium with the nose strap. We had a long successful show career, but he never tolerated any other bit.

[Beethoven]

To start getting her used to a bit again, you could just put a bit in is mouth but then keep the reins on the hackmore a ride off that. That way she will start to associate positive with a bit and not just negative then when you feel she is ready add reins to the bit and have two sets of reins as someone suggested then when she is ready go to just a bit. Maybe even go to some show with the hackmore and a bit and mainly ride off the hackmore rein. Unconventional yes, but the jumping hackamore is the one with just the noseband with rings attached, right? So it will look like you have on a normal bit and semi normal noseband. If its just a schooling show you maybe can get away with it. Also your horse will have a good experince at the show since she is more comfortable in a hackmore.