A simple hackamore or bridle can be made of a thin rope in several styles. However, it also uses shanks and leverage, thus it is not a true hackamore. A hackamore is a type of animal headgear which does not have a bit. A design called the mechanical hackamore is sometimes seen at rodeos. The rein system of the hackamore is called the mecate. It is a myth that a bit is cruel and a hackamore is gentler. The bosal style hackamore is also allowed on "junior" horses. Various hackamore designs are also popular for endurance riding. Besides the bosal hackamore, there are many other designs. The bosal is a very sophisticated and versatile style of hackamore. He portrayed Harry Hackamore in Sam Shepard's play "Seduced". McDiarmid described Hackamore as a Howard Hughes-type character.