From: dbwebe@bb1t.monsanto.com
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: re: mechanical hackamores
Date: 17 Aug 92 15:06:14 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO

In article <1992Aug15.100216.26551@organpipe.uug.arizona.edu>, tracy@scoraz.resp-sci.arizona.edu (Tracy Scheinkman) writes:
> 
> In Article 8241 in rec.equestrian: dbwebe@bb1t.monsanto.com writes:
> 
>>>Tracy writes:
>>> I applaud the communication comment.  But if you are communicating so
>>> well then why are (were) you using a mechanical hackamore only in competition??
>>> My thought is you should be able to compete well in whatever you use
>>> to school at home and if you can't then something is wrong with your
>>> schooling or communications.
>>> 
>>> 				Tracy and Bruce (beautiful man) and
> 
> 
>>	This is true of most competitive riding events, but not in
>>	performance 'speed' events. A competitor riding barrels on 
>>	a national level will normally ride their animal at home in 
>>	a variety of "low control" hackamores and bits that encourage
>>	bending. Sidepassing, rollbacks, two tracking, circle work 
>>	(including corkscrews and tipping the nose in and out of the circle 
>>	etc.), are common exercises done when not in competition (as well as
>>	conditioning work, of course). The horses who are winning or placing 
>>	these days are those that have been trained to run the pattern on
>>	their own with little assistance, HOWEVER, it is common practice
>>	to ride with headgear that affords greater control in competition
>>	than when in practice. When you are heading at a stationary object
>>	at 30 mph 3 times in ~16 or so seconds, it is important to have 
>>	a great deal of control if needed. These days, barrel racing is
>>	so competitive, one bauble can cost you hundreds, and sometimes
>>	thousands of dollars.
> 
> 	Back when I was barrel racing my first horse, we rode in whatever 
> I happened to be using on the trail at the moment.  At different times
> that meant a mild Western curb bit, a mechanical hackamore, and a
> bosal.  I noticed no difference in my mare's performance based on
> any of those head gear choices and we cleaned up on the local barrel
> races I entered (which was limited to those I could ride her to as
> I didn't have a trailer nor did I know anyone with a trailer).  

 	Tracy, I wasn't referring to the local level. You are correct,
	the headgear used at the local level is very different from that
	used at the national/pro level.


> My point here is that many things are said to be true because that is
> what people are doing now.  So and so wins a big purse and they school
> in a snaffle and race in a curb bit and everyone thinks that must be
> the right way to do it.  

	I think, as you state later in this post, that each horse is
	an individual and many times several changes in headgear have
	to be made before you find the ideal. I have not observed the 
	people who attend national barrel races to behave like a school
	of fish, rushing to buy the bit the winner ran in. I have found
	that the winners are more than happy to talk about the experiences
	they've had in solving problems via a headgear change or any of other
	factors involved in training/showing a winner.


>Many speed sports, Thoroughbred racing for
> example, tend to use the same head gear when schooling as when racing.
> It may take several tries to see what works best for a particular horse
> but when they find it that is what they stick with.  I dare say cutters,
> who require much in the way of the same agility and speed as barrel 
> racers tend to use the same head gear when practicing as when performing.

	I disagree that these two sports have a great deal of similarity.
	Cutters do not run at a stationary object for up to 90 feet followed
	by a > 360 degree turn. For most of their event, cutters are not
	allowed to use the bit so the horse can show off his ability. Even
	the most seasoned barrel horse will occasionally need help sharpening
	a turn.
 
> Certainly eventers try to use the same head gear, though it differs
> depending on which section of the event they are doing, and that is most
> assuredly a 'speed' performance event.  
> 	While you will always find a few people who will change head gear 
> from practice to performance you should not assume that all people 
> competing do the same or even that it is the best way to compete.
> 
> 					Tracy and everybody 

	I believe the words I used regarding people changing headgear
	were 'normally' and 'common practice'. I am merely reporting what
	I have observed from attending/running in several national events
	this year.  I think that while you suggest I not assume 'everyone'
	changes headgear, you not assume a 'few' do as you stated above.

	My $0.02