How to Fit a Hackamore

A hackamore can be harsh or kind and forgiving if used properly.

A hackamore is a bitless bridle that doesn't exert pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth. It provides an alternative form of control by applying pressure to the nose, chin and poll. It's typically used on a horse that won't accept a conventional bit, has a sore on the corner of the mouth or an injury to the jaw (see Reference 1 and 2). It's most effective with a horse that is strong in the bride and sensitive in the mouth (see Reference 4). Although a hackamore sounds gentle, it can be severe, painful and damaging to the horse's cheeks or nose, depending upon how the rider uses it (see Reference 1 and 2).

Things You'll Need

• Hackamore (thick leather and fleece bosal with 3- to 4-inch shanks)
• Curb chain or strap

Instructions

1. Bring the bosal (nose band) gently over the horse's nose, stopping half-way up, approximately two inches below the jaw.

2. Rest the nose band snugly on the boney portion of the nose. Ensure the bosal isn't too low on the horse's nose and near the cartilage. That will restrict breathing and cause pain.

3. Adjust the curb chain so that the cheek shanks rotate at a 45-degree angle, allowing you to easily insert two fingers between it and the horse's chin. The curb chain should be tight enough that the shanks move freely when you pull on the reins.

4. Examine the cheek pieces (shanks) so that they rest approximately 3/4-inch below the bottom edge of the cheekbone. Ensure they rest near the soft portion of the nostrils near the upper edge.

5. Pull on the reins, making certain that the shanks rotate and put adequate pressure on the bosal and curb chain, which connects the shanks under the horse's chin. The shanks engage the sensitive areas below the cheekbones and exert pressure on the poll.

6. Maintain slight to no pressure on the reins as you ride.

7. Use both reins when turning your horse at all times. If you pull on one rein independently, the hackamore will slide around your horse's nose.

8. Be cautious not to apply excessive pressure in your horse's mouth. Unnecessary rein interference can negatively affect your horse's confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a knowledgeable trainer before using a hackamore. The trainer will help you decide if the device is recommended for your horse and which type will be most beneficial.

• A hackamore with long shanks exerts a great deal of pressure on the horse's face and is the harshest.

• The bosal (nose piece) takes a majority of the pressure. The general severity of the hackamore will correlate to the material the nose piece is made of.

• Perform gentle groundwork with your horse when using a hackamore for the first time, allowing your horse to adjust to it gradually.

• Do not use a mechanical hackamore that encircles the whole nose with metal. It's severe and can cause considerable discomfort and pain.

• If fitted improperly or used regularly for long periods of time, a hackamore can result in permanent injuries along the chin groove.

• A hackamore is not recommended for novice riders. It should be used only by experienced riders with especially sympathetic hands.

References

• HorseAdvice.com: English Hackamore-Bitless Bridle
• Equishopper.com; Happier in a Hackamore?; Amy Tryon et al
• "Horsepower"; Select the Right Bit; Rosanne Boettiger
• Horses and Horse Information; Handy Hackamores: Bitless Bridles Fill a Gap; Rebecca Colnar; 2000
• AJ Horses: Training Tips
• "Western Horseman"; Hackamores; Suzanne Drnec

Resources

• The Ultimate Horse Site: The Hackamore
• The Bitless Bridle; Traditional (Pain-Based) Bitless Bridles; Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD; July 2005