Hi there,
I currently hack Arnie out in a Dr Cooks. Although he is happy with this arrangement, its occurred to me that I am possibly not! He has started pulling his head down and yanking the reins out my hands. He is getting very heavy in it. I believe this can be a problem with Dr Cooks.
I tried hacking him in a hackamore and he was much much nicer. No pulling (although this is not a braking problem, he stops fine - even from speed) and much more pleasant trot. The only thing was, no matter how much I adjust it, the shanks of the (English) hackamore touch his mouth. I wouldnt even go so far as to say rub his mouth but they touch when I am on a loose rein. Tap tap tap, and its starting to irritate him. Its okay when I have a contact but I prefer to hack on a loose rein.
Any ideas on different styles of hackamore to avoid this? Does the "S" hackamore touch the mouth?
Or, any suggestions for any other bitless solution to the heavy in the hand?
Due to past mouth problems he is not happy bitted and although I am trying to reintroduce a bit for schooling I prefer bitless for hacking.
thanks
Kirsten x
I currently hack Arnie out in a Dr Cooks. Although he is happy with this arrangement, its occurred to me that I am possibly not! He has started pulling his head down and yanking the reins out my hands. He is getting very heavy in it. I believe this can be a problem with Dr Cooks.
I tried hacking him in a hackamore and he was much much nicer. No pulling (although this is not a braking problem, he stops fine - even from speed) and much more pleasant trot. The only thing was, no matter how much I adjust it, the shanks of the (English) hackamore touch his mouth. I wouldnt even go so far as to say rub his mouth but they touch when I am on a loose rein. Tap tap tap, and its starting to irritate him. Its okay when I have a contact but I prefer to hack on a loose rein.
Any ideas on different styles of hackamore to avoid this? Does the "S" hackamore touch the mouth?
Or, any suggestions for any other bitless solution to the heavy in the hand?
Due to past mouth problems he is not happy bitted and although I am trying to reintroduce a bit for schooling I prefer bitless for hacking.
thanks
Kirsten x