A hackamore is a type of bridle without a bit. It is designed to control the horse via pressure points on the nose and chin. There are three main types of hackamores, the mechanical hackamore, the side-pull, and the bosal. The mechanical hackamore consists of a stiff rope over the nose two metal shanks, and a curb chain. Like a curb bit, the severity of the hackamore will increase with the length of the shanks. The mechanical hackamore provides the most control of the three hackamores which is why it used on completion horses, especially speed event horses. . The side pull is a very mild hackamore which functions much like a halter with a lead rope clipped to each side. The bosal is another very mild hackamore which is often used on young horses in western show events. The bosal consists of a noseband with a knot at the bottom where both reins attach. Side-pulls and bosals are rarely if ever used in speed events as they do not provide the rider with enough control. Hackamore use is a personal preference. Many trainers prefer hackamores to bits because they believe that they are milder, while some riders insist that they are just as sever as bits, or that they do not provide enough control. Ultimately it is up to the horse. Some horses work very well in hackamores while others do not. Some horses however are so sensitive in the mouth that they cannot be ridden in anything other than a hackamore.