| The hackamore is unique among bridles
for having no bit. Control is exerted by pressure on the nose and
underside of the head, as opposed to through the various parts of the
mouth. As it has no bit in the mouth, the hackamore is often
considered to be the kindest of all bridles, but this is not necessarily
the case.
When the reins are pulled, pressure is applied not only to the nose, but also to the underside of the head, thus holding the horse in something of a vice-like grip. At the same time, this is what makes it so effective. With pressure applied to upper and lower parts of the head simultaneously, the aid or signal is very clear. |
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Where it is less clear is for the horse with a tendency to raise his head and poke his nose through the bridle. When this happens, much of the effectiveness is lost. Equally, the turning aid (pressure on one rein only) is less effective than a bitted bridle. In some situations and with sufficient pull, the shanks may turn inside out and render the turning aid virtually useless. The hackamore then, is not suitable for the horse who is resistant to turning. |
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| Fitting the Hackamore
To ensure a perfect fit, the hackamore normally comes with adjustment buckles on both top and bottom sections, with top strap adjustment often hidden underneath the fluffy (and removable) nose-band. It is most effective when the nose-band is fitted in the same position as a normal nose-band. It should be a snug fit, being neither too tight, nor too loose. The side - or cheek-pieces should lie as they normally do, in a straight line between brow-band and bit, keeping them comfortably away from the eyes. The underside strap is where the real power of the hackamore lies. In simple terms, the tighter it is fitted, the stronger and more powerful the action. It must therefore be adjusted to suit the nature of the horse. |
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Uses Where the hackamore is most useful is for bridling problems. The hardest part of the bridling process is getting the bit into the horse's mouth. By losing the bit altogether, the process is simplified, which brings the bridling problem to a quicker conclusion. Equally, if by chance the horse has a sore mouth, the hackamore allows the horse to be ridden normally during the healing process.
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