How to Train a Horse With a Hackamore

The term hackamore is sometimes used interchangeably with the word bosal. Both mechanical hackamores and bosals are types of nosebands used to control horses when a rider doesn't want to use a bit. For instance, if a horse's mouth has been ruined by bad riders and the mount no longer stops when asked, it may need to be ridden in a hackamore. On the other hand, horses with very sensitive mouths, who throw their heads or show other signs of discomfort with a bit, may also need to be ridden in a hackamore.

Things You'll Need

  • Hackamore
  • Longe line
  • Long lines
  • Surcingle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fit the hackamore properly to the horse's head. The noseband of a mechanical hackamore or a bosal should never sit on the soft cartilage of the horse's nose as it may cause permanent damage. If you are using a mechanical hackamore, there needs to be about two fingers width space between the curb chain and the horse's chin. A bosal should sit on a horse's head so that it has contact with both its chin and its nose.

    • 2

      School your horse on the longe line, teaching it vocal cues to walk, trot, canter and stop. Practice until your horse knows the commands well.

    • 3

      Ground drive the horse by attaching long lines to the hackamore and running them through a training surcingle or through fixed stirrups on a saddle and walking a safe distance behind the horse. With the aid of an assistant and preferably in the safe confines of a round ring, use the ground driving lessons to teach your horse to move forward when cued and to stop when you pull back on the long lines.

    • 4

      Ride the horse with the hackamore on and while it is being longed by an assistant. Ask the horse to move forward. If it does not, your assistant can give it the cue to go. Practice stops by lightly pulling on the hackamore and giving it the vocal cue to stop. If it does not understand, ask your assistant to stop the horse. Practice until the horse understands what it is being asked to do.

    • 5

      Work the horse off of the longe line in the hackamore. If your training has been successful, the horse should be fine moving forward when asked and stopping when cued by the hackamore. Have an assistant nearby in case you need help reinforcing a command to the horse.

    • 6

      Turn your horse to the right by pulling your rein out to the right in a much more exaggerated fashion than you would use for a trained horse. By doing this, your horse can see your hand extended to the right and feel the tug on the rein through the hackamore, giving it an idea of what you are trying to do. Repeat with the left rein. Gradually lessen the amount you have to pull the rein out to the side until you only need a slight pull for the horse to understand what direction you want him to go.

    • 7

      Pull on one rein and apply pressure with the opposite rein on your horse's neck to introduce it to the concept of neck reining. For instance, to turn right, pull lightly on the right rein, while applying the left rein against your mount's neck. Do the opposite to turn your horse towards the left. This step is only necessary if the horse will be ridden western.