Barrel Racing Questions??

Question

Can you use a hackamore to train your horse to barrel race? Or in a barrel racing competition?

Answer 1

its your choice a hackamore is only good if your horse has been taught to use one instead of a bit if your horase is able to be ridden in one you can train it to do barrels in it if you like to its your dicision  

Answer 2

I always barrel race in a hack. You CAN damage their noses, but only if you are an idiot about adjusting it, it has to be above the fleshy,soft portion of the nose.  If you arent sure about positioning, ask your trainer or someone who knows :)  Hacks are useful for stopping, turning & making your horse light on its face. If used correctly (like any other piece of equip.) they are useful & awesome for barrel racing.  You can use them in training & competition. I've won 4 championship trophies barrelling in a hack, my horse is fine, perfectly healthy & she has been ridden in a hack since day one, she is 14 now & still barrel racing

SIDE NOTE:  I am sick of ppl saying hackamores are evil & harmful....what about a twisted wireor a cow horse bit , or a correction bit?? All of the above can be useful and effective IF you use them correctly...it is inexperienced riders, and idiots who give these bits bad reps.  

Answer 3

you can train them but u cant show in one.

Answer 4

hackamores are not a good thing to use on a fast running horse because if you pull back the wrong way or too hard, you can break their nose

try a wonder bit

Answer 5

yes you can use a hackamore to train your barrel horse.  I have several horses that i started with hackamores.  I don't particularly race with them though.  they don't help your horse rate and bend and that is important when you add speed to your runs

Answer 6

I use a martha josey but my friend uses a hack.

Yes you can just make sure it works with your horse.

And once and a while slip a bit (with indide of mouth) so he rememberes so just in case he runs through it.

Answer 7

Yes, you may use a mechanical hackamore in gaming events. you can not use a bosal, however.

Just mechanical hackamores.

I feel they are very nice tools to use in the event and i am training my barrel horse in a hackamore as well.  

Answer 8

Thank you Barrel Racer I was hoping that someone would say that hackamores dont necessarily damage the horses' nose. It takes a lot to break their noses. Horses are pretty tough creatures.

There are some horses that respond badly to bits. I had an experience with one that when we put a bit in his mouth he bucked like crazy to get it out. We've had him on a bozel ever since. :) If your horse doesn't like the bit, work on it if you want him on a bit, but use a hackamore to keep training.

Answer 9

I LOVE that handle - Pony Potato, it's great!

You can use a hackamore in barrle competitions as long as your horse is trained to respect and respond to it.  I have seen lots of people and know many who use the "Little S" hackamore and others that use other mechanical hacks.

keep in mind a mechanical hack can be just as dangerous as a bit - depending on how they work, the leverage can damage the horse's nose.

But if the horse is light enough, properly trained and enjoys it, a hackamore can be very good.  Heck, I've seen people run barrels with a bridle.  They don't win big prizes, but the fact is the communication to the horse is the important part.

The bit or hack is nothing more than a communication tool - ite depnds on your knowledge and experience using at as to how well the horse hears the message you are sending and responds properly.  A bit can't really make or break your success singly but they sure can mess ya up if you don't have the right one and know how to use it.

Good luck!

Answer 10

hackamores aren't the greatest when barrel racing. especially with the short reins, it'd be too easy to bust your horse's nose.

train you rhorse with whatever you will use for the actual competition.

Answer 11

yes, and yes.

Answer 12

i have always used a hackamore for training barrels and poles but i only in training when they know the patter  i switch to a bit that they respoud to and makes them bend in barrels and sway in poles.but that is just me but i usally use long reins and walk and trot them threw it

Answer 13

you can use any bridle when training. I don't barrel racing, i jump, so I don't know if you can use it in a competition. Be careful when using a hackamore though! It can break your horses nose!

Answer 14

As others have already stated yes you can train and compete in a hackamore.  Realize thought that there are many different kinds of hackamores out there.  I know several people that like the Little "S" Hackamores and some that like the hack /gag bits that are a combination of a gag bit with a hackamore nose band.

To the person earlier that said you can not do barrels in a bosal, The only limitation on a bosal is that the horse be a junior horse.  I am not saying that it would be smart to run a horse in one, just stating that I have never seen a rule in the two breed associations that I show in stating that you cannot game in a bosal.

As for training your horse, I would consider how much training the horse already has before I decided what to use for a bit or a hack.  Is it a young horse just starting out, then start at home doing slow work in a snaffle, work your way up to a wonder bit (gag bit), they prove to be a good transition bit for teaching poll and curb pressure.  If your horse is older and knows how to carry a bit then you are open to all kinds of bits and combinations.   Don't rush into anything, take it all nice and easy, your patience will be paid off in the end.  

Hope this Helps and Good Luck!