Horse Hackamores

A hackamore takes the bit out of the equation entirely, working instead on the nose, chin groove and poll. Our range is led by Trust Equestrian combination hackamores in short and long shank, alongside the Dy’on cheekpieces, headpieces and nosebands that let you build one to fit. Combination designs share the pressure between nose and mouth, so you keep some familiar feel while going bitless.

This is the route for horses that genuinely can’t take a bit — a dental issue, a mouth injury, or one that’s simply learned to set against steel. A longer shank gives more leverage and a stronger, quicker response, so a short shank is the sensible starting point while you and the horse get used to how the poll pressure lands. Get it wrong and a hackamore can be surprisingly severe, so ease into it.

Fit matters more than usual here, because the nose pressure needs padding to sit right. The bit accessories section carries the Dy’on protection pads made for exactly that. Browse the wider horse bits range if you’re weighing up your options, and pair your choice with the right bridle or a supportive noseband.