Happy Mouth Hackamore Bit

A few weeks ago a group of us girls went to the Estes Park Grand Prix and one girl asked about a bit one of the prix horses came trotting out in...it was the Happy Mouth Hackamore Bit.  I should know because it made my now retired horse a superstar!

What is it?  A hackamore and bit in one.  Some people say it may be too much, but it really is not. What is so great about it is it cradles the horse's head and applies even pressure on nasal bone and mouth. The action of the bit stops the hackamore from being overused and the use of the hackamore stops the bit from being overused- it's just even pressure all the way around.

This combo bit places pressure on the mouth, poll, and nasal bone.  It comes with a leather chin strap, but you can use a curb chain if you need more power.  Whichever chin strap you choose make sure you keep one on this bit to help the bit stay in position.

I have seen riders use two reins and sometimes just one attached to the curb piece (bottom hoop). I would strongly recommend using two reins, that way you have the option to "back off" and just use the top/snaffle rein, but ultimately is up to you. Using the curb rein will enhance the action of the bit on the bars of the mouth therefore increasing the pressure.  Just using the snaffle/top rein will apply more of the hackamore and just a little on the bars of the mouth.  Obviously, using more of the curb rein should only be applied when more leverage is necessary.

Use of the bit with a bit converter and running martingale

This bit is great for cross country, jumpers, show jumping, etc.  The bit is stable in the mouth, so the rider doesn't have to worry about going along at fast speeds or turning sharply.  The application of poll, nasal, and bit pressure is great for horse's that tend to invert, get strong, or stiff.  This bit could be used with a running martingale as well.

The bit goes for $90, buy here.

Mandy Porter winning the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix on Con Capilot with the Happy Mouth Hackamore! Jan 2013.

@Piper Klemm

How did I choose this bit?  It's a very long story but Paddy has neurological issues, which weren't diagnosed until later after a few years of owning him.  One of these being a chronic headshaker due to trigeminal neuralogia (people can have it too).  Certain things like barometric pressure changes, rain or snow on his face, and pollen up his nose cause a violent twitch response leading to rearing, headshaking, inverting, taking off, stopping to itch his face (like mid canter or between a fence line), etc.  It physically causes pain in his face due to misfiring of nerves.  It can get better as they get older or worse, some horses have to be permanently retired even put to sleep due to the problem.  There is a procedure to cut the nerve and lessen the pain, but at Paddy's point the surgery would probably do no good.  I found that the hackamore piece relieved some of that pain and itchiness.  It was like someone constantly itching his face and provided relief.  I also moved barns and placed him out in pasture 24/7. This has improved it so much.  Some say an allergy to a local weed can trigger an attack, the barn I was at had a severe mold problem.  I found myself constantly sick in the indoor riding arena, so I can only imagine how he felt.  On a side note, if your horse has this problem I would strongly suggest changing the living arrangement ASAP.

19 years old and still loving the bit, Paddy and I hacking in the field