Positioning the Headstall so low that it interferes with the colt’s breathing. The When properly positioned, the noseband of the noseband is positioned too low here. should rest just above the soft part of the colt’s nose so that it doesn’t interfere with his Photo 3 breathing. It should rest in approximately the same This is what you’re looking for when positioning the spot that the noseband of the does. Just like noseband. It is resting just above the soft part of the the halter, the lower the hackamore is on the colt’s colt’s nose. nose, the better leverage you’ll have. In addition, the noseband of the hackamore should Adjusting the Length rest at a 45-degree angle on the ’s face so that Just as important as it is to get the hackamore the bottom of the noseband, where the connect, properly fitted to the colt, it’s important to adjust hangs down near the horse’s chin. If not positioned the reins so that they’re the correct length for you in this manner, the hackamore loses its leverage and to cue the colt. If you’re riding a small horse, like a makes it more difficult for the colt to learn to follow little Quarter Horse or an Arabian, the reins of the his nose when you pick up on the reins. hackamore might be too long. If that’s the case, tie a knot or two in the bottom Photo 1 of each rein to shorten them up so that they’re not If it sits too high, it’ll be easy for the colt to ignore the dragging on the ground or interfering with the colt. pressure and pull against you. This is an example of Not only will that help make the reins the proper the noseband sitting too high on the horse’s face. length, but it’ll also weigh down the ends of the reins so that if you need to use them as spankers, you can. Photo 2 If your colt is really small, you may have to tie several You have to be careful, though, that you don’t place it knots in the bottom of the reins.

If the hackamore’s reins are too long, you can shorten them by tying knots at the ends of the reins.

No Worries Journal | WINTER 2020 135