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 No Fear
Posts: 5089
 
Location: TN | I want to learn about hacks.....how many of you use them and are you racing successfully using them? I have contacted Clampitt but I want a few different opinions. I don't know a thing about them. Is it only certain horses who they work for or do any of you ride all horses using them? Any input would be appreciated. |
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Location: Texas | I ride my two barrel horses in a little s rope nose hack.
My mare is very light mouthed and if I bump her at all she gets mad so the hack fixes that.
My gelding has a shallow mouth and bits tend to aggravate him, so again problem fixed with a hack. Now with a hack your hand and cue style usually changes a bit to accommodate the nose/cheek pressure
Now remember hack are not just nose pressure they also put pressure on the cheeks, so it's important to maintain the teeth still.
Also pay attention to your curb straps with hacks just like you with with a bit
I'm fixing to change to a lighter strap
But everything that can be taught in a bit can be taught in a hack too.
:) |
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No Fear
Posts: 5089
Location: TN | Thanks for your reply. I've got a mare that has never been in anything more than a d-ring and then a wonderbit. Both very light bits and she gets so annoyed. Super light but acts like the bit hurts....bit fits and teeth good.....I think she will benefit from the hack but like I said I don't know anything about using them and this is not a horse I want to learn as we go with.... |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I find horses tend to get a little stiffer in their turns in the s shank, you loose a bit of shoulder control, and whoa.
If you have a very bendy horse, it works great |
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Location: Texas | Ya I ran my mare in a wonder bit, then graduated to a tender touch, then she decided that was to much so we went to a o ring snaffle. And that even made her mad (and id checked her teeth)
So I ran her in a rope halter one day and she smoked a pattern. So I bought a little s hack off a tack swap for $15 and it's my everyday go to!
Couldn't hurt to try it!
I had an x race horse that his mouth was totally ruined, and he needed way more than a normal hack ;( so I had a metal nose long shanked hack made and I wrapped the nose in cotton and vet wrap and he loved it! Ran like a champ, when he died I chucked that hack tho it scared me to look at. Lol I'm a less is more kinda gal |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
 
| cheryl makofka - 2014-03-16 9:35 PM
I find horses tend to get a little stiffer in their turns in the s shank, you loose a bit of shoulder control, and whoa.
If you have a very bendy horse, it works great
I agree with this. Hacks tend to stiffen a horse up, Ive found I have to change my turning style up a bit when I switch to a hack |
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Location: Texas | I agree completely.
This is why you must take your time and really teach your horse to move off your feet and listen to you.
My gelding has amazing shoulder control and will tuck his nose to his chest when I ask but it took a good while to teach it
Edited by F1NoniStephenville 2014-03-16 9:43 PM
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I love hacks. Never met a horse I didn't want to try in one. LOL.
That said, I am currently only running one of my three finished horses in a hack. My old gelding Joker doesn't want anyone pulling on his face during a run, so I use a really light hack that I bought on ebay for like $20 on him. This way if I do pull on him, it's dulled a little compared to if I pulled on him with a bit in his mouth. I've run Chance in that hack, a Little S and a Jim Warner sometimes, and like all 3 of the hacks in different situations. Mostly I like to use hacks on horses that know their job and don't need much handling during a run. If you can run one to your spot and count on them to work, a hack will usually work quite well. If you've got to get their nose at one point, lift at another, then help them finish the barrel with your hands, a hack might not be the best fit for that horse. Generally mine don't wind up in a hack until they're making consistent runs in a bit and needing a little less headgear.
Hacks generally don't help you get much bend, so if you have one that wants to get super stiff, a hack is not something I'd recommend. |
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No Fear
Posts: 5089
Location: TN | Hey sorry I haven't been back until now....I'm at work so on here real quick.....thanks so much to all of you for your replies. This is exactly what I wanted feedback on so gives me some things to think about.....  |
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