What does hackamore mean?
A hackamore is a bridle-like piece of horse tack used especially in Western riding. It has no conventional bit; instead, a stiffened noseband lies across the horse's nose, and the arrangement of straps and cheekpieces allows a handler to apply pressure to the nose and jaw. In modern equestrian use, “hackamore” most often refers to the complete bitless headgear, while historical descriptions sometimes use it more narrowly for the noseband or for equipment used in training young or difficult horses. The word entered English through Spanish hacamorre, ultimately from Arabic. It belongs chiefly to American Western and equestrian vocabulary, though the term also occurs in British historical writing. Knowing it is useful because a hackamore is not merely another word for an ordinary bridle: it identifies a distinct form of control that works without a mouthpiece, making clear what equipment is being discussed.
nounA bitless bridle or headstall used especially in Western riding, typically fitted with a stiffened noseband and cheekpieces that allow pressure to be applied to the horse's nose and jaw. Historically, the term could also refer more narrowly to a noseband used to control or train a horse.
- A bitless bridle or headstall, especially one used in Western riding, with a stiffened noseband and cheekpieces that can apply pressure to the horse's nose and jaw.
- Historically, a noseband or similar headgear used to control, restrain, or train a horse.
"The trainer fitted a hackamore to the young colt before beginning his first lesson."
"The trainer fitted a hackamore to the young colt before beginning his first lesson."
"The auction catalogue described the old Western saddle together with its matching hackamore."
The plural is used when referring to more than one hackamore.
"The outfitter displayed several antique hackamores alongside the saddles."
From Spanish hacamorre to Arabic, the hackamore is horse control without a bit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hackamore
The word entered English in the early 17th century from Spanish hacamorre, a term for a horse bridle or noseband. Spanish had borrowed the word from Arabic ḥakāmūr, likewise meaning a bridle. English later established the form hackamore in descriptions of Western and colonial horse tack.
Related word forms
How hackamore is actually used
The word belongs chiefly to equestrian vocabulary and is particularly common in the United States, especially in Western riding. Modern usage generally denotes the complete bitless headgear, although older texts sometimes use it more narrowly for the noseband.
Easily confused with hackamore
A cavesson is a light headstall or noseband used for control and training, whereas a hackamore is a fuller, typically Western-style bridle with a stiffened noseband and cheekpieces.