01/11/2025
Great read 📚
💥 .𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 💥
🔻𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀🔻
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼
Horse training is an interconnected, sometimes messy web of techniques. If it were illustrated, it would look like a conspiracy board with the messy red twine. That being said, there are a multitude of techniques that may not always agree with each other. Despite that fact, it doesn’t make any technique more right than the other. They are just a different way to get the same product. The goal is always the same.
𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗩𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗽
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗲
Old school Vaqueros (notably Jeff Sanders and Ed Connel’s book Hackamore Reinsman) often teach the “pull and slack”, also known as “bump and release”. This is a style that utilizes systematic bumps and proportional releases to keep the horse light off the hackamore. If the horse does not listen, he’ll be bumped again and potentially harder
More modern trainers (notably Don Murphy and those under his tutelage in the NRCHA) will preach “pull and bump”. This is a system where the rider pulls on the hackamore rein for a brief moment before bumping. The horse is given a chance to get off pressure with the pull before being bumped.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁
𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸
This method best disguises the rider’s strength from the horse. Because each bump comes and goes so fast, the horse never has enough time to measure the rider’s strength. A horse can always measure the rider’s strength and use that against them, but this is tenfold in the hackamore as its a relatively painless device.
This method works exceptionally well when paired with doubling, due to the prioritization of impulsion when working horses in that fashion. Old school vaquero riding would double the horse in order to get him straight, similar to Cowpunchers circling their horses to get them straight. While doubling, a pull and slack tends to get more flexion than that of a stiff pull before the rider would quirt the horse forward through the doubling.
𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗽
This method disguises the rider’s strength too, but it puts more emphasis on a black and white escalation of pressure. The first cue for any direction is a light pull, the second cue is a stiff bump on the rein. What this does is condition the horses to listen immediately, not after one bump, two, or three…RIGHT AWAY.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿
𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸
This tends to work very well for naturally light horses well versed in groundwork. A horse who comes off any pressure tends to do well with this method. The other ideal horse for this method is a smart/mischievous one, Appaloosas and Mustangs come to mind. This style prevents keen horses from deciphering rider strength.
𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗽
Tends to work well for horses new to pressure or maybe have limited groundwork. It also works well for horses who were started in a snaffle and are newer to facial pressure. It seems to be the case that strictly bumping greener horses can offend their jaw, and some drama queen horses tend to work better with this slower style of pressure. The best horses for this method by far, however, are show horses. In the showpen, horses need to listen NOW and by following this style, the horse learns to listen intently on the pull.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿
- Bump and Release can offend a horse’s jaw, it's important the rider notice and change to Pull and Bump. In doing so, the rider may help keep the horse’s head in a manageable location. Checking, driving, double bridle, and draw reins may need to be employed if the head is not in a manageable location. Prevention is key.
- Lack of Discipline in slack
- Pull and Bump can lead to the rider gradually pulling harder and longer before each bump. In doing so, the rider may accidentally expose their true strength for the horse to exploit. There are no overt drawbacks to this style with regard to the horse, it's more of a potential habit for the rider.
- Too much pressure in pulls
𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀
When riding the hackamore for the first couple years, it should be ridden with two hands. During this time, the rider may choose how they wish to hold the reins and utilize their hands. There are two choices for this and careful tact must be used in deciding which to use.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆?
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 & 𝗞𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽
This hand hold prioritizes the lateral function of the hackamore. In this, the rider's hands should have their knuckles up to the sky with their hands in front of them, as if riding a motorcycle. Usually in this hand hold, the rider’s pulls and slacks are much more lateral and out from their hips at belt level. There is little lift.
𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹 & 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗨𝗽
This is the generally accepted “correct” equitation with regard to snaffle bit riding. The rider’s hands will be thumb up, as if they were grasping ice-cream cones. Their shoulders would be a bit more back and their elbows in toward their ribs. Usually in this hand hold, the rider pulls toward the line of their shoulder, which creates more lift in the horse. There is little lateral support.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽
This method was explained to me by Don Murphy and Roy Rich. It seems to be the common consensus on hackamore riding in the cowhorse world. In a brief conversation with Don, he had explained that the hackamore was a lateral tool and pulling back on it could “trap” it on the chin. By allowing the bars of the hackamore to loosely bounce off the sides of the face, the horse could simply be taught to follow that pressure, and more clearly relate it to a bridle down the road.
Due to the simplicity of this style, I find it to work exceptionally well for green horses and c**ts, especially those with minimal groundwork education. It, of course, also works phenomenal in the showpen.
𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗨𝗽
This method is more classical in equitation, focussing on “lift” and “rise” in the horse. In this style, the horse can be more elevated when pulled upon during doubling, sliding, and turning. Training with this style typically works for more traditional bridle horses and serves to develop skating slide stops, loping spins, and a generally straighter horse.
This style works very nicely on c**ts well versed in groundwork and with horses who are being re-trained in a hackamore. It also works on horses who naturally tighten their back feet close together, like a ballerina. Wide stances commonly seen in cowhorses are less ideal for this level of lift. Instead, they are more suited to flat, catty movements seen down the fence.
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽
Horses trained this way for a large portion of their education tend to be flatter in movement, that is a blessing or a curse. For the show pen, it's wonderful…but not all traditionalists would want a real flat mover.
Riders can sometimes forget that the horse needs to be eventually ridden with a bridle. Lateral direction is great, but it needs to come to the center in the end.
𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗨𝗽
The virtue of good equitation can lead to very awkward pulls on the horse where the rider focuses on thumbs up, not acknowledging that a “knuckles up” hand would work significantly better and stronger.
Sometimes this style can be too advanced for the horse as the pulls are more directed at the rider's shoulder line. Riders need to remember everything is lateral at first. Pulling back too fast will “trap” the hackamore on the chin and the horse will protest against it.
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝘃𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝘁
What they are
With regard to hackamore fitting, there are a few options but it all boils down to a Close Fit or a Round Fit
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲
This fit has no daylight between the braidwork in the hackamore and the horse’s skin, it fights snug like a sock. A close fit does not have any large pressure points, its goal is merely touching as much of the horse’s nose as possible.
𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
This fit focuses pressure to the nose and chin, it has daylight between the sides of the horse’s face and the braidwork. A round fit is not cartoonish, the daylight is there but it's not dramatic, a 1/2inch is more than enough.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲
The close fit is sold as a way to squeeze out every last bit of “signal” from the hackamore when riding. Due to the enormous amount of contact, the horse should feel every little weight adjustment. This style of fit is wonderful for young c**ts and newer horses in general. The close fit seems to make every bump more of a guiding pressure, it takes a little “bite” out of the cue. Traditional training in Vaquero circles tends to be a good place for this style of fit. Emphasis on signal and indirect pressure is huge in those training spheres.
𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
At a Versatility show a few years back, I had met the legendary Doug Ingersoll and he took a look at a bosal I had built. At the time I had it fit closer to my mare, no daylight whatsoever. He remarked that I should widen it up and make it so it can bounce easier and work off the chin. Overtime, with other trainers opinions…it seems to be the consensus when showing that the hackamore should sit slightly off the sides of the face.
This style of fit works wonderfully for shows for its very black and white nature: there is or isn’t pressure. I also love to employ it when working with c**ts who like to buck as a hard lateral bump almost smacks the side of their face and brings their head up. There is a little “bite” to this style of fit, which comes in handy for those situations.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲
- Having the hackamore so tight on the face can numb the signals and make the horse care less and less.
- Tight fit may prevent the hackamore heel knot from falling enough, taking away from the release mechanism in the hackamore itself!
𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Could focus too much pressure on one area and lead to raw skin, whether that be from thin skin, ignorance on part of the rider, or bucking/bronc behavior on part of the c**t. Not recommended for a quick handed person.
Too much movement in the horse’s action could cause the hackamore to bounce a ridiculous amount, dulling the signal.
𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘃𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲:
𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲
Just sit centered… If only it were that simple. When sitting on either side, what the rider hopes to do is be more engaged with where the horse’s weight ought to be. For cow turns, the rider will sit to the outside in order to allow the horse the flexibility to maneuver their turn and shift their weight back. For reining turns, the rider may shift to the inside to plant the horse’s inside foot and spin nice and forward. This is how it works in theory, some riders do not shift their weight at all (or at least, not consciously).
When working with a hackamore, balance will develop quickly as it bounces around on the horse's face. There is a “sweet spot” where the horse’s head will slightly tuck and their legs will all come and work together again. This balance will only develop if the rider gets out of the horse's way and allows them to stumble once or twice and develop their surefootedness. During this phase of training, the rider should concern himself with sitting back and off the shoulders
𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸
Groundwork is popular because it works, there are a few “snake oil salesmen” type internet personalities ruining the credibility of it…but for all intents and purposes, groundwork does great things.
Horses can be started under saddle with a thorough understanding of pressure to their face in the form of a halter (similar to a hackamore), pressure to the sides of the body (similar to spurs and whips), and finally pressure via vocal cues (such as whoa and clucks/kisses). They have no understanding of being ridden, but have every tool needed to be successful. First rides are done more smoothly and the horses are better for it. Why not use the groundwork? Education is powerful, if there is ever a chance to educate one's horse, they should take it in a heartbeat.
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠
Horse training is not always about who gets the blue ribbon, it more often rewards whoever has the most extensive toolbox. With the most tools, a trainer is able to meet each horse where they are and make the best ones! There are mounts that will gravitate toward certain procedures listed in one section of this article, and horses who’ll be offended by those same procedures. Every tool and training technique has a place and will get used at some point.
Learn, always
Written by
Johnny Flores
Certified AQHA Professional Horseman
Clinician & Trainer
818-939-1338
