I am training my 2 yr old gelding..should I use a rope halter or hackamore?

Question

I trained my mare 19 years a go using a hackamore and she does well. This horse that I have now I want to train for my children. He is super gentle so I do not want to put anything in his mouth now. I have never used the rope halter so I do not know how much contol it gives the rider. If someone could please help me with decision i would appreciate it. He is a great little horse and I do not want to mess him up

Answer 1

Strongly recommend a Dr Cooks bitless bridle. Control with 0 pain or harm/ danger towards horse and rider. Perfect for children and experienced riders and perfect for quiet and hot horses.

I love it. :)

Answer 2

Invest in a Dr Cook bitless bridle ....it's far superior to hackamores, sidepulls, bosals, rope halters, etc.  You cannot hurt your gelding with it, but you can trust it to do the job.  I am in love with mine after a lifetime of using everything else out there.

4thehorses...thumbs up.  I just realized this is a 2 year old, so I hope the ground work will be continued while he grows up some more....the Dr Cook can be used to lead a horse, but is more designed for use while riding.

Answer 3

use a side-pull

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/search_...

Answer 4

I would say hackamoer. 1), if it worked before, it will probably work again, and 2) hackamores give more control then the rope halter :D

Answer 5

Ah, good ol' eqquus... Read my mind.

Yes, you can try using a side pull. You can also look into a Dr. Cooks bitless bridle.

Both of these tools are much better than using a hackamore *I'm assuming you mean a mechanical hack*, and will give you more control and better communication than a simple rope halter.

Here are some sites to give you an idea of what both pieces of equipment do::

http://www.bitlessbridle.com/ <Bitless Bridle

http://www.dianathompson.com/dth.s.pull.... <Side Pull

Answer 6

Well with me I usually do my first rides in a rope halter just because that's what they've always been used to everyday. Been worked in rope halters since foals so are very used to them and know how to respond to them.

After they are settled from their first rides, they move up to a side pull. To me first rides are just that, they learn to balance and walk and trot carrying a rider, I do not want anything that could scare or intimidate them. Since they've always worn the rope halter it is very familiar to them and even if they get nervous they still tend to respond well.  They learn all their basics with the rope halter or side pull.

When I feel they are ready to advance into a bit I put them into a half-breed sidepull (a sidepull with a snaffle bit attached)until they learn to carry the bit and respond to it well. Then finally move to a snaffle alone.

I always try to go in stages and keep at least one thing familiar to them.

Regarding control, with a good quality rope halter and a properly trained horse, one that has learned to give to pressure ect and is soft from the ground, you'll have just as much control as with a sidepull or with a bit for that matter. The key is proper ground training not the amount of force or leverage it can apply. Less force is always better.

Personaly, I haven't much use for hackamores, particularly the mechanical versions. IMO if you need a vice on it's face to control it you need to start re-training. Of course my opinion is the same of the long shanked harsh bits. Don't even own one. Every horse here including the stallions ride in snaffles except when they are in the show ring.