And why?
I used a bosal for years, now i use the bit less bridle, Hackamores are commonly known as bone breakers because so many horses have had both the nose bone and jaw bones broken with them. I would never use a hackamore even on a horse I might hate, maybe on some people but never on a horse.
First off, I'd like to clarify something - hackamore was the original name for a bosal bridle, and now it is used to describe almost any bitless bridle. Parelli even claims his halter is a hackamore, just because he put reins on the EXACT same halter. (That way, he gets to sell two of them to his suckers.) * Mechanical * hackamore is the name of the curb-bit-without-a-mouthpiece that I think you're referring to. I don't like them because they are extremely harsh but they don't provide clear communication. The main users of mechanical hacks are speed-event riders whose only concern is brakes - mechanical hacks are great for brakes.
On the other hand, a couple sizes of rawhide bosal can start a green colt and bring him up to the point of starting him in a spade bit * in the right hands *. It's an excellent teaching tool, and it can be a simple thing to throw on for an easy trail ride.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Bosal wins, hands down!
Between a bosal and a mechanical hackamore, I'd say a bosal. I don't feel comfortable using a mechanical hackamore even on my barrel horse, as they can be really harsh. When I want to ride bitless, I usually choose my training sidepull with the covered rope nose, which is very easy on my horses while still giving me enough control to get a good stop and turn out of them with very little pull. The hard thing about bitless bridles is that in the wrong hands, they can be just as destructive as a harshly used bit, if not worse. A lot of damage on the pressure points of the nose and chin, and a rider with rough hands can severely hurt their horse.
I would use the bosal rather than a mechanical hackamore.
I used to work at a western store and when folks would buy a MH I would ask if they wanted to get a tie down now or come back and get it later after the horse has started throwing his head. They usually have a lot of leverage and a chain chinstrap, a lot of horses just hate the way they close down on the muzzle.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com You can get a fine light work out of a horse by using a bosal if it is used correctly.
Bosal! Hack break bones.
And the tie down thing is correct. The barn I used to ride at has started using hackamores on every horse, because it's easier for the kids to put on.-_-
Every horse now needs a tie down because they all toss their heads. The hackamore cuts off breathing and breaks bones. I would take a Bosal anyday.
I've ridden in Mechanical Hackamore's for the past 20 years or more. Would I put most people on a horse in one? No. But then I dont feel most people have any business with bit in a horses mouth either. The advantage is I can adjust out the hackamore so it has no effect and is almost like riding a halter if someone is hard handed. You just cant do that with a bit, the poor horse has to tolerate the jerking and pulling no matter what.
There are many different kinds of mechanical hacks. With different amounts of leverage and strength, just like bits of different severity. The length of the shanks determine the severity of the hack along with the material used for the nose band, as well as how tight the band is made.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I prefer a short shank english mechanical. The shanks are less then 6 inches, it has a 3 inch wide sheep skin lined nose band and a adjustable leather curb strap. This gives a great amount of adjustment. My horses have trail ridden, fox hunted , jumped, jousted, done up to level 2 dressage, reining patterns and other disciplines. I am a full body rider. I use seat, weight, leg cues as well as reins and do not require reins to balance myself. For the animals I have had, the hackamore was the last resort. ex trotters, run aways and barrel racers with mouths of steel that no bit can communicate with any more. Teaching them to feel and respond to pressure on their nose was easy and done swiftly. there are more facial nerves the oral ones in the mouth (thus the knots on the natural horsemanship hackamore .. they hit facial nerves). There is a skill to the use of one, that most bit riders never bother to investigate or explore as well as benefits . A horse can easily eat or drink with a hack, there is nothing to bother sensitive teeth or lips, nothing freezing cold to injure a mouth in the winter or hotter then a frying pan in the summer sun. I have never had a head shy hackamore horse, since no one is banging things on their teeth.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
It irks me the amount of hubris and stupidity professed by people who spout rote on here about hackmores all being jaw breakers and dangerous. They are no more dangerous then a curb bit in bad hands and far more gentle in skilled ones. And as a side note, you can break a jaw with a curb bit, destroy mouth tissue, and cut lips with a bit.
