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Bitless Control with a Hackamore | Emmers Equestrian
A hackamore lets you ride without a bit in your horse’s mouth. Instead of working on the tongue and bars, it uses a padded noseband, a chin strap or chain, and shanks on each side to apply pressure to the nose, the chin groove, and, to a lesser extent, the poll. That makes the hackamore a popular choice for horses with mouth problems or dental issues, horses recovering from a mouth injury, and show jumpers that go better without a bit.
Our hackamores
- We stock hackamores from trusted brands such as Dy’on, TRUST, Sprenger, Stübben, Jump’In, Metalab, and Feeling in a range of designs: Classic mechanical hackamores with shanks and a padded leather noseband, such as the Sprenger, Feeling, and Dy’on New English hackamores.
- Hackamore nosebands from TRUST, which combine the hackamore action with a stylish noseband that matches your bridle.
- Short-cheek and full-cheek hackamores from Jump’In, which give a more direct feel and work well for show jumping.
- The Stübben Flower Ring hackamore, which lets you attach the reins at different points on the ring to adjust how much leverage you use. Our hackamores come in Pony, Cob, Full, and X-Full, in black and brown. To keep your horse comfortable, add a padded hackamore cover such as the Dy’on Hackamore Protection to the noseband or chin strap.
You’ll also find matching bridles, nosebands, and bit accessories in our range.
Not sure whether a hackamore suits your horse? You’re welcome to visit one of our stores for personal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hackamore?
A hackamore is a bitless headpiece that controls your horse through pressure on the nose, chin groove, and poll instead of the mouth. The type in this collection is a mechanical hackamore, which uses shanks on each side to create leverage when you take up the reins.
Is a hackamore milder than a bit?
Not necessarily. Because the shanks act as levers, a mechanical hackamore can be quite strong, especially with long shanks or a tight chin chain. It’s gentle on the mouth, but the nose and chin are sensitive too. Always use soft, light rein aids and adjust the hackamore carefully.
When should I use a hackamore?
A hackamore is often used for horses with mouth or dental problems, horses that are recovering from an injury to the mouth or tongue, and horses that simply go better without a bit. It’s also popular in show jumping, where many riders find their horses are more relaxed and responsive in a hackamore.
What is the difference between short and long shanks?
Longer shanks give more leverage, which means a stronger action with less rein pressure. Shorter shanks give a more direct, lighter action. If you’re new to riding with a hackamore, a model with short shanks is usually the best place to start.
How should a hackamore fit?
The noseband should sit on the bony part of the nose, about four fingers’ width above the nostrils, so it doesn’t press on the soft cartilage or restrict breathing. The chin strap or chain should allow two fingers between it and the chin groove when the reins are loose. Check the fit carefully the first few times you ride.
What is a flower ring hackamore?
A Flower Ring hackamore, like the Stübben Flower Ring, has a round ring with several attachment points instead of fixed shanks. Depending on where you attach the reins, the action ranges from mild and direct to stronger with more leverage, so you can find the setting that suits your horse.
Why use a hackamore cover?
A padded hackamore cover protects the nose and chin from rubbing and spreads the pressure more evenly. It’s especially useful for horses with sensitive skin or thin coats and helps keep the hackamore comfortable during longer rides.