Mastering Gear: Bridle Setups for Every Stage
Join Brad Barkemeyer in this in-depth masterclass as he walks you through every phase of the traditional bridle horse progression. Start with the fundamentals of the hackamore, where you'll learn how to collect a horse, fix common mistakes, and evaluate whether your horse is suited for this gear. Brad then dives into building refinement through draw-back exercises, dry work, and corner control.
Next, transition into bridle work, with a focus on preparing the horse mentally and physically for this next step. Learn how to communicate clearly in the bridle and guide your horse through clean, correct turns.
Finally, Brad breaks down the two-rein phase—a critical bridge between the hackamore and bridle. From foundational concepts and warm-ups to drills and feel-building exercises, this series helps you gain confidence in each setup and understand why the progression matters.
-
The Importance of Changing Up Your Equipment
Brad Barkemeyer explains why it's important to be able to mix up the type of equipment you ride your horse in.
-
Mastering Gear: Bridle Setups for Every Stage
1.44 MB
Join Brad Barkemeyer in this in-depth masterclass as he walks you through every phase of the traditional bridle horse progression. Start with the fundamentals of the hackamore, where you'll learn how to collect a horse, fix common mistakes, and evaluate whether your horse is suited for this gear....
-
Two-Rein Riding Drills
Brad Barkemeyer goes over how to hold the two-rein and how to properly steer your horse in the two-rein.
-
Communicating the Turn in a Bridle
As you transition into the bridle your horse needs to be comfortable neck reining. Here Brad Barkemeyer shows you how to communicate a turn to your horse one handed.
-
Transitioning a Cow Horse Into the Bridle
The final step when training a cow horse is transitioning them into the bridle. Brad Barkemeyer goes through the steps he likes to take when first introducing a horse to the bridle and how he works on neck reining, steering, and collection.
-
Corner Work in a Hackamore
Brad Barkemeyer shows you how he likes to practice corners to help his horse get comfortable going through a corner when working a cow.
-
Dry Work in a Hackamore
To get a horse comfortable in the hackamore Brad likes to include some dry work into his riding routine before putting a horse on cattle or before working the flag.
-
Helping Your Horse Draw Back in the Hackamore
Cow horses must be comfortable drawing back to successfully work a cow. Brad Barkemeyer shows you how he likes to teach it in a hackamore.
-
Is Your Horse a Hackamore Horse?
Just because you ride your horse in a hackamore doesn't necessarily mean he's a hackamore horse. Learn what Brad Barkemeyer is looking for when he finds his next hackamore horse.
-
Learning From Mistakes in the Hackamore
Brad Barkemeyer talks about learning from your mistakes when you're first starting to ride your horse in a hackamore.
-
Collecting a Horse in the Hackamore
Collection in the hackamore is a little different than it is in a snaffle bit or shank bit. Brad Barkemeyer goes over how to gain collection using a hackamore.
-
Basics of the Hackamore
Brad Barkemeyer goes over the basics of riding in a hackamore.
