Hackamore Horse Bits

A hackamore is a bitless bridle - rein pressure applies through a noseband and (depending on the pattern) curb chain rather than through a mouthpiece. A traditional mechanical hackamore has long shanks for leverage; a sidepull or bosal works without leverage. Hackamores let you ride a horse with a sore mouth, a fresh injury, or a horse that fundamentally rejects bits.

A hackamore suits horses returning to work after dental issues or mouth injuries, horses that fundamentally reject bits, or riders training western or specific bitless disciplines. Hackamores are not "gentler" than bits in absolute terms - a long-shank mechanical hackamore can apply significant pressure to the nose and poll, so use with judgment.

The noseband should sit halfway between the cheekbone and the corner of the mouth - high enough to avoid the soft cartilage at the end of the nasal bone, low enough to provide leverage. Fit close enough that two fingers slide under without effort. Curb chain (if fitted) should sit in the chin groove and tighten to the same standard as a Pelham curb.

A hackamore is purely bitless - all rein pressure transfers through the noseband. A combination bit (like Trust's Hackamore Combi range) adds a mouthpiece in addition to the hackamore noseband, so rein pressure spreads across both nose and mouth. The combi pattern is a useful halfway point between bit and bitless.

For full hackamores, Sprenger makes the Sheepskin Hackamore and Lami-Cell makes a Leather Hackamore (in specialised bits). For combination bits with a hackamore noseband and a mouthpiece, Trust Equestrian covers Hackamore Combi short and long shank patterns across Inno Sense, sweet iron and leather lines, plus Hackamore protection and spare parts.

Wipe the noseband and curb chain (if fitted) clean of sweat after every ride. Leather nosebands clean with a damp cloth and condition occasionally with a leather balm. Inspect the shank pivots and curb chain attachments regularly - the leverage load on these points is significant.