How to Train With a Hackamore
A hackamore is a harness that allows you to train a horse while leading it. The horse must already understand basic commands before training it with a hackamore because this type of headgear does not have a bit. Hackamore training also assumes the horse can wear a saddle.
Things You'll Need:
- Hackamore
- Saddle
- Reins
- Surcingle
- Train the horse to follow simple commands, such as how to move forward, backward and stop.
- Place the hackamore onto the horse so that it is close to the nose cartilage without actually touching the cartilage. Tighten the nosepiece, known as the bosal, so that the hackamore does not shift when the horse moves.
- Push the bosal gently while commanding the horse to back up. This exercise teaches the horse to back up when it feels pressure against its nose.
- Place a belt, or surcingle, around the horse's body. Run reins through the surcingle and attach the free ends to the hackamore.
- Place a saddle on the horse, and mount the horse. Instruct an assistant to lead the horse with the hackamore.
- Pull the reins to place pressure on the horse's nose while applying pressure to the horse's sides. Use the left rein to train the horse to turn left. Train the horse to turn right in a similar manner. The objective of these exercises is to train the horse to respond to the pressure from your legs and the reins instead of the hackamore.
- Remove the hackamore when the training is complete. The horse should respond to your commands without the hackamore.