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Which
bit should I use?
The
hackamore, or bitless bridle
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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 to the
nose and the curb groove, thus
holding the horse in something of a vice-like grip. 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
The hackamore normally
comes with adjustment buckles on both top and bottom sections, with top
strap adjustment often hidden underneath a fluffy (and removable)
nose-band. 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. 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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