-- [ From: ROBERT J MORRIS * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
I find the discussion about hackamores, the use, description and all that a
bit disconcerting. A smattering of research shows that what most people are
discussing has no connection to the actual hackamore.
BOB, THE MAJORITY OF HORSEMEN TODAY ARE VERY ILL-INFORMED REGARDING THE
ORIGINS AND USE OF MOST BITS AND "HACKAMORES" I WAS BROUGHT UP UNDER THE
BASIC PRINCIPLES YOU MENTION AND UNDERSTAND, BUT WITHOUT THE BACKGROUND
KNOWLEDGE MOST RIDERS EVIDENTLY DON'T HAVE, I HAVE REDUCED MY COMMENTS TO THE
MORE SIMPLISTIC APPROACH. SORRY IF I HAVE CAUSED CONFUSION.
The word hackamore is an americanization of the jacquima. The jacquima is a
type of equine head gear consisting of a bosal (the nose piece) the hanger
(head stall) the fiodor (the throat latch) and the macate (the reins).
HARDLY ANYONE ON THE EAST COAST KNOWS OF THE HISTORY OF THESE..THANKS FOR THE
INFO.
As with any good horse, these components that make up the hackamore, serve
only to pass a signal to the horse. They are not used to STOP the horse at
all.
I AGREE, UNFORTUNATELY, MANY RIDERS DO NOT COME FROM A "SCHOOLED" BACKGROUND
AND ARE ATTRACTED TO THE SPORT BECASUE THEY THINK THEY CAN JUST GET ON AND
GO. WE BOTH KNOW THAT THE BASICS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE BEST
PERFORMANCE.
I cringed every time I see someone wanting to know what device will stop
their horse or at least slow it down. The bit is not for stopping the horse.
The bit is for signalling th eanimal that you want it to do something and
your entire body then gives the command.
BACK TO YOUR BASICS..SUCH AS DRESSGAE..COMMUNICATION DOES NOT HAVE TO BE
MERELY "WHOA"!!
Why do people think, for instance, that pulling back on the bit will stop
the horse when the legs are squeezing and the body is urging for more speed!
!! Look at a good reining horse sliding to a stop. The reins are fully
slack and the rider is out of contact with legs and has stopped riding.
YES, BITS, HACKMORES, ETC. ARE FOR COMMUNICATION..NOT FOR BRAKES. THE SIGNAL
TO STOP IS NOT THE BRAKE..THE TRAINING IS!!!
In my egotistical opinion (that means a not so humble opinion) if you cannot
ride the horse on the trail with just a halter then you need to do some more
work. Not just on the horse but also on your self.
DITTO!! I WAS TAUGHT FROM DAY ONE TO BE ABLE TO STOP A HORSE WITHOUT THE USE
OF MY HANDS!!! (I ADMIT THIS IS MORE THAN DIFFICULT AT TIMES, THOUGH)
When you can ride with the halter you will be relaxed (a bonus for the horse
) you will be trusting the horse (another bonus for the horse) your horse
will be able to eat and drink better ( another bonus for the horse) and
every one will have a lot more respect for your horsemanship (a big bonus
for you).
A HORSE TAUGHT SELF-CARRIAGE AND A RIDER WELL-BALANCED AND IN TUNE WITH
HIS/HER HORSE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
Let's take it from there, think of the horse, horsemanship and let's stop
looking for the "quick bandage".
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATIONS,
TEDDY