Introduction to hackamore types
There are a huge range of hackamore types available, and it can be confusing to know how they all work and which are ethical to use.
I classify hackamores into four groups, which can help you make sense of this huge family of equipment.
It is worth prefacing this discussion by saying that even within these groups there can be a huge diversity of style, function, size, weight and design, all of which effects how your horse perceives their tack, and therefore how comfortable it is for them.
It's important to be informed about the tack you use and understand how it works, so that you can make the best decisions to maximise horse comfort while ridden or being handled.
Zero-shanked hackamores
The first group of hackamores is the 'zero-shanked' group, which contains all the circular or near-circular types that have no arm or extension coming off of the pieces.
These are the lowest 'strength' option of hackamore, as the very short distance between the rein and the noseband means that rein pressure amplification is almost zero.
In simple terms, the amount of rein pressure amplification is determined by how much the hackamore shank rotates when the rein is pulled. A greater distance between the rein and the noseband means that those pieces turn more with every increment that the rein is pulled.
Common types in this group include: Star, Jasmine, Ring, Flower (short), Compass, Orbitless and Wheel.
Short-shanked hackamores
'Short-shanked' hackamores are the next step up in terms of 'strength'. As with zero-shanked hackamores, they typically feature a main circular or near-circular part, but have a short extension coming off the lower part for the rein to connect to.
This extension provides a little more pressure amplification and leverage pressure, but as the distance is so short, this increase is quite low.
Common types in this group include: Flower (standard), Lily, Love and Barefoot.
Curve-shanked hackamores
'Curve-shanked' hackamores are a cousin of the short-shanked hackamore.
Some can appear to have a longer shank than they functionally do, as the curve reduces the distance between the rein and the noseband compared to if the metalwork were completely straight.
The reason for the curve design is to keep the horse's mouth clearer than in other styles of a similar length, and therefore curve-shanked hackamores are popular with endurance and trekking riders who like to allow their horses to eat and drink very easily.
Common types in this group include: Little S, Standard S and Baroque.
Straight-shanked hackamores
The final group of hackamores is the most severe group and the only type I do not recommend using as a blanket rule. 'Straight-shanked' hackamores are similar in basic design to the short-shanked hackamores, but with a much longer extension and therefore a high degree of rein pressure amplification.
They range from the moderately long English hackamore, right up to the extreme German hackamore models.
Unfortunately, this family of hackamores is also the most commonly used type and the type you'll see in traditional tack shops. They are also the reason that you'll hear many blanket statements about hackamores in general that are very negative, as the equipment in this group has a great capacity to cause harm.
