Training Methods for New Foals: Breaking a Horse on a Bit or a Hackamore

It can be a difficult decision to start a new foal on a bit or a hackamore. Making an informed decision starts with being well-informed on both types of tack.

Bits are fitted at the bottom of a headstall; together these two parts make up the bridle. There are a wide variety of bits, but the basic type is a snaffle bit. A snaffle has a “broken” mouthpiece—it is made up of two joined parts that fit inside the horse’s mouth between his teeth.

Snaffle bits are used on foals that are just being broken because they are gentler on a horse's mouth and makes it easier for the horse to understand the rider. The construction of the snaffle bit makes commands obvious—when the rider lifts the right rein to ask the horse to turn right, the mouthpiece’s right half will shift in the horse’s mouth, teaching him that this means to turn right.

Bits with copper mouthpieces are recommended, because copper will keep the horse’s mouth much more moist and comfortable than other types of metal.

The Benefits of Hackamores

Hackamores can also be used after a horse is more experienced, although they are less common than bits. A hackamore is made up of a hard rounded piece of rawhide or leather, called a bosal (pronounced boze-AL), that is fitted around the horse’s nose and comes together behind the horse’s jaw. A horsehair rope, called a mecate (meck-AHtay), is used with the hackamore to rein the horse.

Hackamores are well liked because they teach the horse to turn his nose better than a bit does. When asked to turn, stop, or back up, the horse must tuck his nose in to accomplish these things with a hackamore; in other words, a hackamore inspires correct form from a horse. With a bit, there’s much more of a chance that a horse might throw his head up when asked to stop, turn, or back up.

When a horse is in correct form, his nose is tucked down and his neck is slightly arched (this is called “flexing at the poll”). This form enables a horse to make his body more compact, swifter, and more powerful, and gives the rider more control. Both the bit and hackamore can be used to help the horse achieve this form.