Bitless Bridle Styles

Bitless bridles are a category of horse tack that often causes some level of confusion for individuals who are new to horseback riding. Bitless bridles are typically used by horse enthusiasts who feel they are a gentler or more natural alternative to the traditional metal bit or by owners who have horses that have problems using a bit due to injury or mouth problems.

  1. Bit Vs. No Bit

    • A bit is a metal piece of equipment that is attached to the bridle and the reins. It goes in the horse's mouth, and the rider applies pressure to the bit via the reins to tell the horse where to go and when to stop. A bitless bridle is a bridle that controls the horse without the use of a metal bit and instead applies pressure to the head or nose band. Three primary types of bitless bridles are used: the hackamore, the bosal and the mechanical hackamore.

    Hackamore

    • A basic hackamore bridle is very similar in appearance to a regular bridle minus the bit. A wide assortment of slightly varied hackamore styles are available because hackamore is the catch-all term for a bridle that does not use a bit. Some designs are very similar to a regular bridle and work by applying pressure to the entire head while others, such as Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle (see Resources), use an entirely new or experimental design. The key component to a basic hackamore is that it uses pressure on the horse's head to control movement and behavior rather than relying on a bit for control.

    Bosal

    • The specific name for a very traditional type of hackamore is the bosal, which is a hackamore nose band that is made of rawhide. It is attached to a very simple headband, often referred to as a hanger. The bosal controls the horse entirely by applying pressure to the nose. A traditional bosal will also use thick mecate reins, which are a single-piece, braided horsehair or nylon rein that attaches to the bosal using a mildly complicated knot.

    Mechanical Hackamore

    • The mechanical hackamore uses a shanked nose band, often with a curb, to control the horse. It is a complicated device that can be very dangerous if used by an inexperienced or harsh rider. It delivers a significant amount of pressure to the nose and poll (behind or right between the ears) of the horse. If used incorrectly, a mechanical hackamore can break the horse's nose. This device is commonly used by western riders who participate in speed or precision events.