You’ve seen the ads and followed the debates on Internet equine lists, but you’re still a little confused: What is the difference between The Bitless Bridle and other cross-under bitless bridles (CBBs) versus the traditional type of bit-free bridles such as the hackamore? Even more importantly, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the CBBs versus bridles with bits?

Anatomy of a Bridle

To review: A traditional hackamore is a bridle without a bit, and it consists of a bosal, a noseband that’s usually made of stiff rope or braided rawhide that is knotted beneath the chin; the knot applies pressure to the sensitive nerve endings of the nose and chin. Attached to the bosal is a mecate, an 18- to 22-foot rope woven from mane or tail hair. The mecate is tied above the heel knot of the bosal, so as to form a closed rein and a lead rope.

Other hackamores have arisen from the original concept–a wider, flatter leather version that’s worn high with two reins attached under the chin is a common type. A hackamore noseband (sometimes called a jumping hackamore noseband) applies pressure on the nose (not under the jaw) with a soft, leather-covered rope–similar to, but softer than, pressure applied by a conventional flat leather or nylon halter. A mechanical hackamore has the addition of a curb chain attached to shanks, functioning similarly to a curb bit by using leverage on the nose and behind the chin; the longer the shanks, the more severe the pressure. A sidepull consists of a heavy noseband with side rings that attach to a rein on either side of the nose; direct pressure on reins creates pressure on the nose and from side to side