I found in my few rat studies that if I first
schooled the horses in a bit, I found it easier to teach them collection,
way of going, frame etc., than if I tried to teach that in a hackamore. After
they were schooled well in a bit (Frenchlink snaffle is my
favorite) then when I put the horse in the hackamore, I could get the same
with little adjustment to the new equipment that gives such different signals..
But when I have tried to ask for it, before being schooled to do so in a bit, I
had mixed signals, and the horses did not grasp it, and often got confused..
Just seems easier for me to school them and teach them with a bit , then
changing to the hackamore had them understanding what I asked with the new
equipment easier.
