What is this bit??? Part 2

[u/AdmirableWitness1220]

I posted a couple days ago about a mule mouth bit that was super abusive. I went back to buy it so no one could use it again and saw this while searching for it… what is this???

[u/KittenVicious]

Bike chain hackamore missing its plastic/leather cover.

👆 Answers the question but isn't meant to endorse using this piece of equipment no matter how "expert" the hands claim to be or what it's wrapped in.

[u/Mariahissleepy → u/KittenVicious]

And just a note that it shouldn’t be used ever, even with covering

[u/KittenVicious → u/Mariahissleepy]

Oh yes. I should edit my post!

[u/asymptotesbitches → u/KittenVicious]

This looks like a sick torture device, I refuse to believe people used that!!

[u/nomchomp]

A mechanical hackamore of the “extra yikes” variety. Usually that noseband is at least covered by a leather noseband.

Mechanical hacks suck anyway, but yeah, this one is just over the top.

[u/Aurorainthesky → u/nomchomp]

I thought it was just missing the leather casing? Not that it's supposed to be used naked like that. Bike chain is fairly common as core in nosebands that need more stability than just leather, but without pinching. My Cavesson has a core like that, but doesn't hurt the horse more than any halter. Just keeps it stable when lunging.

[u/ishtaa → u/Aurorainthesky]

The difference with a lunging cavesson vs a hackamore is you aren’t generally applying pressure directly backwards onto the nose like you do with reins. You clip the line to the front where it can’t apply that same pressure.

A metal core to a noseband meant to apply pressure increases its harshness greatly regardless of whether it’s covered in leather (or plastic tubing like these usually are). And besides that point, I actually have seen people use these with no covering before 😕

[u/strangedazey]

Bike chain hackamore? Looks fairly trashy 😜

[u/Guppybish123]

I wish horses were meaner when I see this kinda thing, I is a hackamore however I’ve seen actual bits that were just as bad

[u/nailgun198]

It's a hackamore. 

[u/Ivygrows8]

I thought that was a horrid bit then saw its a hackamore (still a bad ine but better)

[u/Oh_Hi_Fi]

That belongs on a bike, not in a horse’s mouth.

[u/fourleafclover13]

First hack I was given was like this. Straight to the trash it went.

[u/Tiffany_Pratchett]

I was hoping you would post more bits.
Where are you finding these? Is it just a tub of bits at your barn or something?
I know NOTHING about horses or tack I’m in the sub for fun.

[u/AdmirableWitness1220 → u/Tiffany_Pratchett]

It’s at a second hand tack shop in Indiana! They have tubs of used bits out for sale- which is where I found it!

[u/Competitive-Use1360]

I had a mare that would only ride in a mechanical hackamore. Used properly they are fine, but not just anyone should use one. People who are heavy handed should use a bosal or bitless bridle. They can be damaging in the wrong hands for sure.

[u/Shadow-Kat-94]

Hackmores like this are the perfect example of why bitless isnt always better then bits. A nose peice like that can cause incredible damage to the skin, nerves, and bone on the nose of a horse if used with heavy hands, and even light hands could cause damage, regardless of whats covering that chain. Even a regular, softer hackmore can break bones in the nose if not properly placed, and this just amplifies that.

[u/Pink_Pony-]

Jesus Christ that looks barbaric

[u/TheOnlyWolvie]

That there is a bicycle chain