Re: going bitless

["Linda B. Merims" <lbm@ici.net>]

I went bitless with a hackamore.  This was on a 21-year old
English Pleasure Morgan who was dead broke to a full bridle,
and trail ridden in a Mullen-mouth Pelham.  I used the mildest
hackamore I could find, one of the short-shanked "jumping"
hackamores with the sheepskin noses.

The transition was almost no transition at all.  The horse
picked up on the new equipment immediately.  We direct rein
just as before.  He is equally responsive to whoa'ing.  He
collects just as nicely.  (The hackamore has an interesting
effect that is sort of mid-way between a snaffle and a
straight curb when you are trying to "set a head."   It does
not cause a straight bowed head like a curb would do (no poll
action), and it does have a raising effect like a snaffle,
but without the nose-out effect.  I think if I tried a two-rein
hack, with the top rein just working on the nose, I could get
a very creditable show-ring headset with the thing!.)

The only thing that seems to feel different to my horse is a
canter cue.  He'll sometimes pick up the wrong lead, which
is pretty much unheard of with him in a bit.

The wonderful, positive difference is that he seems to feel
free-er and happier.  If we do get into a tug-o-war on a trail
ride, it goes just as good or as bad as it ever went with
the Mullen-mouth, but the horse doesn't go sour from the
progressive pain; he stays happy and fresh throughout the
ride.

And I *can* snap him up if he makes a dive for grass just as
effectively, and I can do it without hurting him.  He is just
as controllable when in a fear or startle situation.

(Oh, and I took off the cavesson about two months ago--didn't
miss it a bit; it made no difference whatsoever in his way of
going.)

Lastly, it's lightweight and very easy to put on.  Just slide it
on and do up the throat latch and go!

Both me and my horse love it.  I am completely sold on hackamores.

Linda B. Merims
lbm@ici.net
Massachusetts, USA