I am in the process of reading Ed Connell's book "Hackamore Reinsman" for the fourth time. Everytime I read it, it makes a little more sence to me. After a lot of research, study and thought, I've decided that I want to start my next filly in a hackamore (bosal), bypassing the snaffle bit altogether. But I don't want to do this until I'm sure I can be fair to the horse and do it right. The foundation of the whole thing, as best as I can see, at the start seems to be "doubling", but there never really is a clear definition in the book of this. I know it's emperative it be right, because I even read in one place where it is called "the art of doubling". I have Brannaman's "Bridle Horse" series, but he seems to be using the bosal as an extension of the snaffle, and nowhere really explains what one does that the other cannot, and does nothing differant in the video with the hackamore than he does not do with the snaffle bit. I'm missing something very basic and very important somewhere, and I can't put it together, and there is no one around here to go to and have them show me.

I guess my first question is, can some one with experience give me a clear, mechanical step-by-step definition of "doubling" as described by Ed Connell.

And second, in hackamore training, am I right in understanding that the snaffle bit is basically a shortcut in the making of a bridle horse used to hurry things along a little? I want to move my horse along slowly and properly in a hackamore for a couple of years, or longer if needed, 'till she comfortably and lightly meets all of the requirement of the hackamore horse as listed by Mr. Connell. And when I finally put her in a two-rein, I want her to have a brand new mouth.

I no longer work cattle, my whole reason for pursuing this route is my desire to spend the next 6-7 years learning and producing a straight up bridle horse for a partner, based on my appreciation for the art of it, and the benefits to my self and my horse that are to be gained from an old-fashioned appreciation of time, patience and long-term goals. I consider a true straight-up bridle horse to be a work of art, and I want to produce something that beautiful.

Not sure how many replies you'll get. I know I am not qualified to tell anyone how to make a bridle horse. I'm just working on my own with whatever help I can get anytime I can get it. Good luck, I'll be interested to see the replies myself....

Doubling, as I understand it, is designed to disengage the hindquarters and put your horse in neutral. Important for the horse to know, and somebody else feel free to comment, but I think if a horse wanted to run through the hackamore he could, unless he thinks you can shut him down. Also, any problems in the bridle are usually related to steps missed or gaps in your hackamore stage.

Anybody else want to take a stab at this?

I found a couple of short video segments on youtube by Martin Black on bosal/hackamore training. I had never seen any of his work before, and knew next to nothing about him, but I was pretty excited to finally find a video illustrating "doubling" and other techniques. Until I actually watched them. Anything that makes a horse nose up and out that bad in a stop has got to be being done wrong, I don't care how hard the stop is. I'm a looooong way from California, so I'm pretty dependent upon some form of electronic media to get the training and instruction I want, but I don't want to learn an art sloppily or wrong. It would defeat the whole purpose. ranchroper, if I find anything I'll sure send it your way.

Hi, I'm in no way some one with experience but as far as I know the snaffle doesn't speed up the bridle horse training at all. I think people use the snaffle first to get a horse used to the bit and I think it starts a horse off in the bosal with some prior training and as far as I know it makes the horse more refined in the hackamore so he doesn't need to be doubled as much or at all because of using the snaffle first but there are some guys who don't use a snaffle because they think their horse "bridles up" better if he has never carried a bit before.
Just what I know and have heard. In Christ Evan

Buckaroo,

That would explain what Brannaman is doing on the videos I have. He just never did explain the logic and purpose behind it all, and I wasn't sharp enough to figure it out on my own. Thanks.

I probably shouldn't even comment since I have never made a bridle horse. Though, a few things I have picked up working with some guys who have and nice ones too. The snaffle is by no means a shortcut to a bridle horse. It is a tool to ready them getting flex, release, and movement while having steel in their mouths. The hackmore takes it a step further and allows for the same movements to be transfered through the bosal to the horse without worrying about teeth, through pressure points on the nose and jaw. At 3-5 years old the animal is loosing baby teeth and molars are erupting making a bit very uncomfortable.

The hackmore can be worse than a spade in the wrong hands. It takes 30 sec to really sore them and 30 days to heal the animal. There are degrees of hackamores same as bridles and snaffles to progress a horse through if you are going to start them in a hackamore- going from a breaking bosal through the steps to finally a pencil post so they are ready for the two-rein.

RR is right on the money about doubling. It is part of the flex process or a one-rein stop. The horse learns unless you are kicking them or asking for movement, they can rest even with their head turned. It is also a handy trick if you have a horse that is a bit cold backed. You can get on them, ask for their head without the movement of the HQs and engage their brain before you ask for movement. Nine times out of ten they won't buck because you have taken their mind off of it.

I have started horses in both the hackamore and the snaffle and have had better luck going through the steps. Just my humble opinion.