The true hackamore, commonly called a bosal, does not have a bit and is often used to start young horses in training. The hackamore applies direct pressure on the nose and chin with the bosal, the noseband. The hackamore bit, which is often confused with the true hackamore, has long shanks which apply a great deal of pressure to the nose and chin groove without much pull on the reins. It is used on horses that will not accept a bit, that have mouth injuries or are deadened to the control of a bit.