Sidepull vs hackamore: what's the difference?
When you're working out the best bitless option for you and your horse, it can be confusing to navigate all the new names for bridles and pieces of equipment.
This isn't helped by the misuse of terms, which is unfortunately common in bitless circles (for more on that, check out the post on Debunking Bitless Myths). So let's look at the two most common types of bitless bridles: the sidepull and the hackamore. We'll explore what they are, how they work, and which sub-types to avoid.
Are sidepulls and hackamores different bridles?
Yes and no.
The main part of the bridle for both sidepulls and hackamores is the same: a standard headpiece, jowl strap (or throat lash) and cheekpieces. The style, shape and size of these parts will vary depending on the design of the bridle, but this does not affect the bitless mechanism.
For Inca Equestrian bridles, the noseband is also interchangeable between these types of bridle, as it has been designed to be able to fully detach from the rest of the bridle in order to swap out parts as desired.
Where sidepulls and hackamores differ is in the metalwork around the noseband.
Sidepulls
A sidepull is a very simple type of bitless bridle. It use a pair of rings on the noseband, instead of any more complicated pieces.
Standard sidepulls work by dispersing rein pressure to the upper noseband strap only, with no pressure going through the horse's poll or underside of their jaw. This is particularly beneficial to horses with a history of poll trauma (for example, from being ridden in a gag bit or from a head injury), as the absence of any poll pressure is not triggering. They also produce no rein pressure amplification. As a result, standard sidepulls are widely considered to be the lowest strength type of bitless bridle.
Standard sidepulls are widely considered to be the lowest strength type of bitless bridle, but the cross-under variants are unethical and should never be used.
A common variation on the standard sidepull is the cross-under (also known as Scawbrig or as branded versions such as the Dr Cook). This sub-type adds straps that run from the reins, through the sidepull rings and around either the horse's jaw or lower cheek, depending on the variant. These straps tighten when the rein is pulled, clamping around the horse's face. Obviously, this type of bridle is unethical and should never be used on any horse.
A zero-shanked hackamore (left) and sidepull (right) side-by-side comparison. Note the difference in the metalwork around the noseband.
Hackamores
A hackamore is not a single, specific type of bridle. Instead, hackamores are a huge family of bitless bridles, defined by their use of hackamore shanks or cheekpieces.
Hackamores are a hugely diverse group of bitless bridles. For an in-depth look at the four families of hackamores, check out this Knowledge Hub post.
To a greater or lesser degree – depending on the size, style and form of the shanks – hackamores all use some amount of rein pressure running through the poll as well as through both the upper and lower straps of the noseband. This is because the turning motion of the hackamore shank as the rein is pulled causes all the connected bridle straps to move at once, dispersing that pressure throughout the bridle.
In the three families other than the zero-shanked group, the hackamore also generates rein pressure amplification, meaning that the horse feels comparatively greater pressure through the bridle than the rider is applying directly with their hand on the reins. The amount of pressure generated in this way maps to the direct distance between the points at which the upper noseband and rein straps connect to the hackamore shank. Simply put, longer and straighter shanks are harsher on the horse.
At Inca Equestrian, only hackamores on the lower end of the strength scale are sold.
Which type is best for your horse?
There is no simple answer to this question.
If we look at a sidepull and a zero-shanked hackamore, they are equal in terms of rein pressure. The two types differ only in that a sidepull applies rein pressure to the upper noseband, while a zero-shanked hackamore applies rein pressure throughout the bridle. Some horses prefer one type over the other.
But, many zero-shanked hackamores are adaptable and, depending on the rein placement, can switch function between hackamore-type and sidepull-type action without you needing to change any equipment. For a more detailed view on how this works and where to place your reins, check out this Knowledge Hub post. If you want to try both types, or have the option to switch between the two easily, then this is a great place to start.
The Inca Equestrian bridles and noseband sets are designed specifically to be adaptable and multi-use. This means that to change your bridle type between a true sidepull and any kind of hackamore, you only need to swap out your metal cheekpieces for sidepull rings, rather than buying a whole new bridle!