Lucas Truax If Fappani is using a hackamore I guarantee there's something to it.  That guy is a horseman!  I have a couple of 2 year-olds to start, maybe I should do an ES20 series with a hackamore.  What do y'all think?  It's been a while, but I think I can pull it off!😀

Stephen Gowling I think one of the drawbacks to the California tradition is that it attracts a lot of folks that aren't handy enough to handle all that steel in a horse's mouth.  It is very attractive but takes many years to master.  I fear that I'm not savvy enough so I steer clear of the heavier bits.  The guys that are proficient with a spade bit are next level good, but there aren't many of those guys around anymore, unfortunately.  

When the left rein is pulled the hack rotates to the right so that the horse must interpret the meaning and learn to turn into the pressure rather than come off the pressure.  Of course most horses are smart enough to figure it out.  For this reason, I want my colts to neck rein a little before I transition into a hackamore.  This is a deep rabbit hole and we could spend all night talking about how the hackamore came into being, why it's a part of the tradition, and what type of horses and riders can benefit from it.  The spade bit is another subject entirely!😅

I'll preface this comment by saying that I am not a hackamore man.  I have used them and I think I have a cursory understanding of their origin and function, but I am limited to a couple dozen hackamore horses where some others have trained many more.  I know this though, the hackamore is only necessary if one is concerned with adhering to the California traditions.  That being said, a hackamore has a lot of value and a well rounded horseman should have a few in his tack room and he/she should understand how a hackamore works and when to use it.  "The Hackamore Reinsman" by Ed Connell is a good resource for info.  It's old, but the principles are timeless.  It's important to remember that a traditional hackamore functions opposite from a snaffle.  In other words, when we pull on the left rein in a snaffle the right side of the bit contacts the right side of the horse's face and pulls the horse to the left.  The hackamore is opposite.  

Stephen Gowling Snow here and frozen arena sand.  I guess we hug the heater and drink coffee.  😁

Lucas G Truax I'd say that looks about right.  How's your speed control?

You're welcome!

Great work!  Keep us posted.

Katherine Cosper How are they bred?  

Katherine Cosper 😱😂. Oops