Instructions
Unbuckle and remove the noseband from the headpiece and brow band. If left on, the bridle's noseband will interfere with the hackamore's leverage action. Undo the buckles connecting the bit to the headpiece and the bit to the reins. If using a western bridle, there will be no noseband to remove. Because the hackamore sits higher on the horse's head than a bit, the cheek pieces may need to be replaced with shorter ones to correctly fit the horse.
Attach the bridle's two cheek pieces to the upper slots on each metal shank, with the shanks curving inward toward the horse's cheek. The mechanical hackamore will have four slots on the two metal shanks that will sit on either side of the horse's face. Attach the cheek pieces to the uppermost slots. Buckle the nosepiece into the middle slots on the upper portion of the metal shanks. Buckle the reins to the very bottom slots. Attach the curb chain only to the right hand side of the hackamore on the slot one up from the bottom.
Fit the hackamore and bridle to the horse by slipping the headpiece over the horse's ears in the same manner as a regular bridle and bit. Let the hackamore's nosepiece sit on the horse's nose. Adjust the length of the cheek pieces so that the nosepiece rests just above the tender cartilage above the horse's nostrils. It should be fully resting on bone. Ensure that the nosepiece is adjusted so that it does not cause the cheek pieces to rub the horse's eyes when the hackamore is activated.
Attach the curb chain to the left side of the hackamore by flattening out the links and running it under the horse's chin. The curb chain should be snug. Test the tightness by inserting two fingers between the chain and the chin bone. Fingers should slip easily in and out without extra room and without friction.
How to Assemble a Hackamore
Hackamores are a good option for use on horses who do not work well in a bit or who have mouth injuries, but if the rider has not used one before, putting them together properly and fitting them to the horse's head can be a bit confusing. Mechanical hackamores can be assembled for use on most bridles with the traditional English-style consisting of two metal shanks, a nose piece and a curb chain.