Mechanical hackamore

File:Pinto in Hackamore.jpg and longer shanks, a more severe design]]

A mechanical hackamore has a partial noseband, usually of leather, sometimes covered with fleece for extra comfort. However, the noseband can also be very harsh; some are made of rubber-covered cable, stiff metal, or even bicycle chain (though usually covered in plastic). The curb chain is usually a flat-linked chain, though it may be made of anything from a relatively mild flat leather strap to very severe designs with heavy chain or even solid metal bars. The noseband and curb chain are connected by a metal link that also includes the long shank that applies pressure to the nose, chin groove and poll when the reins are tightened.

The mechanical hackamore is unrelated to a hackamore except to the extent that both are headgear that control a horse with some form of noseband rather than a bit in the horse's mouth.{{cite book|author=Thomas, Heather Smith|title=Storey's Guide to Training Horses: Ground Work, Driving, Riding|publisher=Storey Publishing|location=North Adams, MA|year=2003|isbn=978-1-58017-467-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/storeysguidetotr0000thom/page/203 203]|url=https://archive.org/details/storeysguidetotr0000thom/page/203}} Because the mechanical hackamore uses shanks and leverage, it is not a hackamore. A mechanical hackamore works similarly to a curb bit. The shanks and curb chain serve to increase pressure on the nose, jaw, and poll

The mechanical hackamore may be a relatively modern invention. In the United States, a device with shanks and a noseband, called a "hackamore bit" was mentioned in at least one western riding-based horse training book by the late 1930s.{{cite book |author=Gorman, John A. |year=1939 |title=The Western Horse: Its Types and Training |publisher=The Interstate Publishers |page=80}} Early patent applications were filed in 1940 for a "Hackamore bit"Ray, Frederick A. (1940) "Hackamore bit." United States Patent 2225232. [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2225232.html Free Patents Online] and a "leverage hackamore bridle".United States Patent 2186350. [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2186350.html Free Patents Online] Additional patent applications were filed during the 1940s, and a significant increase in patent applications for various mechanical hackamore designs occurred from the 1950s forward.Ensminger, M.E. ''Horses and Horsemanship, The Interstate Publishers, Inc., Fourth Ed., 1969 (First Ed., 1951) Descriptions of the mechanical hackamore appeared in general interest books on horses during that decade.

File:Barrel racing.jpg in barrel racing]]

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Mechanical hackamores often used in competitions where there are no specific bitting rules, such as rodeo and O-Mok-See events, and in the show jumping arena. They are seen in endurance riding and competitive trail riding because they allow a horse to easily eat and drink without removing headgear. They are not permitted in most other horse show disciplines.{{cite book |author=Kirksmith, Tommie |title= Western Performance: A Guide for Young Riders |publisher=Howell Book House |location=New York |year=1993 |isbn=0-87605-844-6|page=84}} They are also used by casual riders, especially for trail riding, and are particularly popular with hunters who must ride and camp in freezing weather where a frozen bit can injure the horse's tongue.

Mechanical hackamores lack the sophistication of bits or a bosal, cannot turn a horse easily with direct reining, and are primarily used for their considerable stopping power.Ambrosiano, Nancy "[http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/bitlessbridles_092206/ All About Bitless Bridles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119181809/http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/bitlessbridles_092206/ |date=2008-01-19 }}" Equus, March, 1999. Web page accessed February 25, 2008 Horses ridden in these devices quite often develop a bad habit of head-tossing.Jahiel, Jessica. "[http://www.bitlessbridle.com/Article-5.pdf What is this new Bitless Bridle?]" Horsecity.com, 2001. Web page accessed February 25, 2008 The longer the shanks, the more severe the action. Similarly, a thinner noseband is also more severe. Occasionally it is used for a horse that has learned to ignore bit pressure on the mouth, or for horses with an injured mouth.{{cite book|author=Thomas, Heather Smith|title=Storey's Guide to Training Horses: Ground Work, Driving, Riding|publisher=Storey Publishing|location=North Adams, MA|year=2003|isbn=978-1-58017-467-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/storeysguidetotr0000thom/page/205 205]|url=https://archive.org/details/storeysguidetotr0000thom/page/205}}

It is incorrect to assume that a mechanical hackamore is milder than a bitted bridle, it is not. The device has potential for abuse at the hands of a rough rider, similar to that of a curb bit.Miller, Robert M. and Rick Lamb. (2005) Revolution in Horsemanship Lyons Press {{ISBN|1-59228-387-X}}, p. 227 While mechanical hackamores made entirely of leather with short shanks can be relatively mild, the addition of a longer shank and chain or metal under the jaw or over the nose can make this device a very severe piece of equipment that borders on animal abuse, thus making the device quite controversial in some equestrian circles. If adjusted too low, it can also put excessive pressure on the horse's nose cartilage, possibly even breaking it, and low placement may also obstruct the horse's breathing. In cases of a severe mechanical hackamore with long shanks, abusive use has been claimed to risk breaking the horse's jaw.[http://www.horse-sense.org/archives/20060326134125.php Jahiel, Jessica. "Hackamore noseband or mechanical hackamore?" Web page accessed February 25, 2008] For example, a 20 lb. pull on the reins of a mechanical hackamore with 8-inch shanks will result in 160 pounds of force applied across the bridge of the horse's nose.[http://www.kbrhorse.net/tra/bits01.html Lamm, Willis and Sharon. "Bits and their Proper Use" KBR Horse Training Information, 1997. Web page accessed February 25, 2008]

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{{Horse equipment}}

{{Short description|Variety of bitless horse headgear}}

Category:Headgear (horse)