December 2, 2010

Adventures In Hack Land

I've always wondered if Solo would jump well in a hackamore.  They seem to work really well for a lot of jumpers and eventers, so it's been on my "Things To Try" list for some time.  Some things on that list happen more quickly than others; for example, "ride a whale shark" is rather opportunity driven.

Well, since we are now in a barn where all of us are horse accessory junkies (the SO says "hoarders" but if he owned a horse, he would totally get it), I borrowed an English hackamore last night and buckled it onto a bridle.  It is usually worn by an Oldenburg mare with a head the size of a Tyrannosaurus, but thankfully, it is highly adjustable and I got it into approximately the right place.

So, how did it go?

Solo: Ok, time to trot, let me come down onto the bit. Hey, WTF, where is the bit. Mom, I am trying to do the right thing. Mom....? How about stretching? Ok, I can still stretch, now let me return to the bit...what the...where is it, what the heck am I supposed to do?

Me: Trotting. Now I will just...uh...well, I can't keep pressure on this thing so I will use leg and...uh...WTF, I hate this.

Lifeshighway (riding in the ring with us): *laughing* Solo doesn't look like he is too thrilled about this experiment.

Pete (lifeshighway's horse): Arrrrr, I am going to bite Solo! (he never can stay on topic)

Apparently, the hack is not for us.

11 comments:

  1. I tried one of those. (Except I bought mine. Serious hoarder here.) Izzy was not so thrilled. She didn't think he princess face needed any leverage.

    Oh well. Fun to look at, right?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Worth a try - but he might get used to it after a while, or maybe not?

    ReplyDelete
  3. He might Kate, but there's really no reason to. It was nothing more than idle curiosity. The system we have works great, so I have no motivation to spend time retraining.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, it is true. Sometimes Pete sounds like a pirate.

    ReplyDelete
  5. With your new saddle clips, you could totally carry a sabre when you ride.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You two could practice sword fighting from horseback!

    Interesting about the hack...I feel the same way. I'd try one sometime just out of curiosity!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am actually training my young horse in a jumping hack, which is essentially a fancy sidepull. I've really liked it, but once we get going with a bit, I'll probably only use it to ride bareback in the fields and let her graze.

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG, lh, did you see that, we totally need to have sabre practice!!!!!

    Yeah, molly, I think I would like a sidepull better. For trail riding anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  9. *raises hand* I, too, am a tack hoarder. Despite the fact that I do not currently own a horse, I STILL dabble in recreational tack-shopping. We all have our little addictions, and in the long-run, it's certainly more healthy than, say, being addicted to crack (right?).
    Well, at least you guys got to borrow the hack instead of purchasing it -- how great to be surrounded by fellow tack-hoarders who can share your sickness! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Still chuckling over "head the size of a Tyrannosaurus" as it seems my Vannah's TWH head fits that description as well. All her tack is Oversized...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tack hoarders unite!

    LOL, Allison, maybe Vannah and Moxie are cousins!

    ReplyDelete