The severity of the hackamore depends on the materials it is made from and the length of the shanks. The longer the shanks, the more leverage can be applied to the horse’s head and face. A rounded nose piece made of stiff lariat rope or braided leather around stiff cord will place sharper pressure against the horse’s nose piece than will a flat wide nose piece. A chain under the chin will be a sharper aid than a leather chin strap. Pulling back on the reins will bring the nose piece and chin strap closer together, pincering the jaw.