All About Hackamores
Just as there are a wide variety of bits, there are also many bitless options to consider. When riding with a bit, the bit is supported in the mouth both by soft tissue and the bone underneath. When riding bitless, the noseband sits on the nasal bone which tapers down to a very thin piece of bone that is not covered by much tissue at all. No matter what bitless option you are using, you want to ensure that it is properly fitted on the thicker part of the nasal bone.
Bitless Options With No Shanks First we will talk about bitless options with no shanks. Even though many bitless options don't have shanks they do use curb pressure in addition to nose pressure. Side pull
The side pull is a bridle with no leverage what so ever, you only have nose pressure. These bridles are often used when starting horses under saddle as they are mild and uncomplicated. The O ring leading to the noseband helps stabilize the nose band to minimize twisting. The curb strap on these bridles is there solely for stabilization. Some side pulls are sold with an additional curb on the O ring o further stabilize the bridle. You can find the nose band in a variety of materials from flat leather as pictured below to rolled leather, a single rope, a double rope, a knotted rope like a rope halter, biothane etc.I personally prefer a rolled leather nose band. I don't want to use a harsh nose band when training, but I also don't want it to be easy for a horse to lean on me. A rolled leather noseband is still quite mild without the surface area of flat leather. Jumping Hackamore
The jumping hackamore is more often seen on english horses but it functions very similar to the side pull as there no no leverage, only pressure on the nose. The main difference is that it is sold as a noseband only. This makes it easier to fit a variety of horses. However the drawback is that it isn't quite as stable. Scawbrig
The scawbrig is the first of several cross under styles of bitless options we will cover. When choosing a cross under style of bridle, really test it out as some can be slow to release and muddy the communication with your horse. On a scawbrig, the bottom curb tightens as rein pressure is applied, applying nose and curb pressure.
Lightrider
The lightrider is a modified scawbrig. On this bridle there is a curb that helps stabilize the nose band, followed by the lower curb that will tighten. Indian Bosal
The indian bosal is similar to a scawbrig, but it has two ropes that cross under the jaw. Because of the multiple ropes they can release a bit more slowly. Dr Cooks
The Dr Cooks bridle uses poll, nose and pressure on the middle of the jaw. When you pull on one rein, the leather tightens on the underside of the jaw, opposite cheek and applies poll pressure. This seems to be a bridle that a horse either likes or really dislikes. Bosal
Bosals could have an article all to themselves. They are traditionally used as the first step of training a bridle horse using Vaquero methods. A bosal should be shaped to the horses face to ensure even contact with the bosal. A bosal that doesn't fit will put excess pressure on the nose. A bosal will put presure on the nose and side of the face when direct reining. Starting out a horse is put in a thicker bosal in order to be more mild for a green horse. As the horse progresses, thinner bosals are used as the horse gets softer in preparation for going into the two rein with a spade. A bosal works like a signal. As the reins are picked up, the heel knot will raise, dropping the noseband lower. When you release, the heel knot will come back down, this gives a very clear release to the horse.Traditionally a simple leather hanger is used for the bridle to let the bosal move as it should.
Bosals are also used with horse hair mecate reins, tied to give both reins and a get down rope to use for leading. Bitless Options With Leverage
Flower Hackamore
There are several versions of the flower hackamore about but they function the same. The only difference being, some do not have the lower ring which gives a little more leverage. The flower hackamore is a mild, adjustable hackamore where you can change the amount of leverage used. It is best used for broke horses as sideways pressure can make the hackamore flip sideways, pressing into the face. As your bridle attaches above the noseband, you have a small purchase which will create very mild poll pressure. However, if your horse is green I would not recommend this bridle. If you direct rein and have to pull to the side to guide your horses nose, the hackamore can flip out. You could easily attach a bit hobble to keep the bridle from flipping however. Little S Hackamore
The litle S hack is another mild hackamore with leverage. In this version of a little S, there is no poll pressure despite the purchase. There is no poll pressure because the bridle is not held in one spot, it will move along the S shaped shank when pressure is applied. There is another version with bridle hooks that does apply poll pressure. This bridle will apply leverage to the nose and curb pressure. This hackamore is easily found with a variety of different nosebands as well.
This hackamore needs adjusted higher than you originally think. With pressure applied, the noseband will rotate lower.
This is another hackamore with the potential to flip. You can buy one with bit hobbles to prevent this or easily make your own. English Hackamore
The english hackamore is a relatively short shanked hackamore that applies poll, nose and curb pressure. Because of the poll pressure this hackamore is stronger than a Little S Hackamore. Jim Warner Hackamore
The Jim Warner is most often seen on western horses and works similar to the English Hack.Both work on the poll, have curb pressure and leverage. Where you usually see an elgish hack with a flat leather noseband the jim warner has a stiffer rope nose.
Beetle Hackamore
The Beetle hackamore is a weird hackamore that dosn't function like you would initially think. As you pull back, the noseband rotates down and the purchase lifts, so there is not poll pressure. The nose also engages before the curb tightens. This is a mild hackamore that would be great for a horse that doesn't like poll or much curb pressure but needs a little leverage. Mechanical Hackamore
A mechanical hackamore has no poll pressure working solely off of the nose and curb pressure. Because of the shank length of a mechanical hackamore, you have a lot of leverage and it's one of the more harsh hackamores.
These can made more harsh depending on the noseband. A metal noseband even covered will be harsher than a material that moves. A bikechain noseband will be particularly unforgiving because it will squeeze around the nose. Quick Stop
The quick stop is a severe hackamore that features a metal curb. The metal curb is shaped to fit right over a horses lower jaw. Because of the lack of soft tissue covering the area it will be quite harsh when the reins are engaged.
Easy Stop
The easy stop is another hackamore that is quite severe. When the reins are engaged, the spoon will dig in right between the jaw bones. Noseband/ Curb Strap Materials
The material of the noseband and curb on a bitless bridle also influence how mild or severe the bridle is. Thankfully, if these are not the paterial of your liking they are easily changed out.
Noseband materials: Flat Leather:
A flat leather noseband is one of the most mild options out there. The flat leather is soft on the nose and there is more surface area to distribute pressure. For those that want to ride on contact with their bitless bridle, this is a great noseband choice. Padded Leather:
A padded noseband such as this is even more soft than a plain leather noseband. This noseband is also adjustable to ensure the best fit.
Rolled Leather:
A rolled leather noseband is also a nice option. I personally prefer this type of noseband when starting horses. Whereas a flat noseband can be more easily leaned on, a rolled noseband minimizes the surface area without being severe. Stiff rope:
Stiff rope nosebands are more commonly seen on western hackamores than on english ones. This is because this is a noseband that shouldn't be ridden with on contact. It is more abrasive than leather and can rub the hair off if you are too rough with your hands. This is a noseband that you should softly ask with, then immediately release. When first purchased these nosebands often do not have much shape and will not lay evenly across the nose applying pressure both to the nasal bone and to the soft tissue. They often take some breaking in and shaping to fit correctly. You see these nosebands wrapped occassionally to pad them and make them less abrasive. Double Rope:
A double rope noseband is stiff like the one above. However, the added surface area of the second rope makes it a touch more mild as the pressure is dispersed over a larger area. Hard braided loping hackamore:
A stiff braided loping hackamore like this will be very abrasive on the nose. Because of the stiffness of each strand, the braid does not lay flat, instead it creates pressure points of abrasion on the nose. Soft braided loping hackamore:
On the other hand, a soft braided loping hackamore will be soft. This soft noseband doesn't even hold its shape because of the softness of the rope. This braid will lay flat on the nose and is quite mild. Paracord/ rope halter noseband:
Paracord nosebands are gaining popularity as it makes it easy to convert a regular bridle to a bitless bridle. The noseband is softer than a stiff rope, however they have pressure points like a rope halter. For this reason I don't recomend riding on contact with this type of noseband as well. Wide Paracord noseband:
Paracord nosebands are also braided to have thicker, more padded nosebands. These are soft nosebands that conform to the shape of the nose and are perfect for a rider that likes customization. Leather covered Steel:
A metal noseband, even covered is going to be more severe than one without. The flat steel underneath will be stiff and unforgiving on the nose. There are a few options for covering it, but none takes away the bite of the metal underneath. Steel Nose:
A steel nose noseband is going to be quite severe. There is no give to this noseband whatsoever. In addition to being strong, because of the shape it may concentrate pressure directly onto the nasal bone instead of dispersing the pressure across the nose. Wire wrapped steel:
A wire wrapped steel noseband is incredibly severe. By wrapping the noseband it adds texture to make it even more severe by adding abrasiveness. This noseband would be uncomfortable even without being engaged and could easily take the hair and skin off of the nose.