A horse bridle is an essential item for those who are engaged in professional horse breeding or equestrian sports. This device must be such that it is convenient for both the horse and the person who drives it. A horse headband can be purchased at specialized stores, or can be made at home.

What is a horse bridle

A horse's bridle, or bridle, is one of the most important components of a harness - a device needed to harness and control an animal. The bridle is the first thing worn on a horse's face.

A horse is an animal with a fairly high level of intelligence, however, due to highly developed instincts, it often becomes uncontrollable. Therefore, despite the fact that this animal understands well the meaning and intonation of human speech, in order to rule a horse, a bit is used. Bits are rods made of durable metal that are fixed in the horse's mouth so that it does not hurt, but remains sensitive to metal.

Important! If the bit is not secured, it will wobble, causing discomfort to the horse. To prevent this from happening, they are fixed in one position. That's what a bridle is for.

Thus, the bridle helps:

  • ensure a stable position of horse bits;
  • drive a horse while riding;
  • give the animal a signal that it needs to stop or, conversely, move away;
  • regulate the speed of movement of the animal.

Horse bridle

Also, the bridle performs an important decorative function, which is especially important for those who are engaged in professional equestrian sports or perform with circus acts as a rider.

The structure of the bridle

The bridle is not a monolithic object, it is made up of several components connected together.

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The structure of the bridle for a horse is as follows: the main components are the rein, the primer and the bit. The reins are necessary for the rider to turn the horse in the right direction while moving. The simplest bridle is attached to belts. The belts are located in the following locations:

  • on the head;
  • on the forehead;
  • on the chin;
  • on the cheeks.

The most popular is the snaffle bridle, which is ideal for beginner horse breeders and athletes. This type of bridle helps to completely control all movements of the horse, without causing any inconvenience to the animal. The main plus of this bridle is the presence of additional straps, thanks to which the lead strap does not slip over the horse's eyes and does not interfere with it.

The bridle bridle can be either strict or not strict. The stricter the bridle, the more rigidly the rider controls the movement of the animal. To weaken or increase the severity of the bridle, it is enough to replace one type of capsule with another. Detachable capsules are available at equestrian accessories and equestrian equipment stores.

Note! Professional riders always have a few primers in stock and change them as needed.

Types of bridles

Horse running way

In addition to the classic snaffle bridle, there are many other types. In Russia, the following varieties are most popular among professional athletes and horse breeders:

  • mouthpiece;
  • cowboy;
  • hackamor;
  • sidepool (or bridle designed for runs).

The reins have an additional mouthpiece and a reins attached to it, thanks to which the rider can give very precise commands to the horse. This variety is usually used by members of the mounted police.

The cowboy bridle consists of belts made of genuine leather. The straps are intentionally made very thin so that they can be quickly repaired if damaged. There are two types of cowboy bridle - with a common loop for two ears or with a separate loop for each ear. The second option (in professional language it is called "slotted") is more convenient, since the belts do not slip off the ears.

Mouthpiece

Hakamor is a bridle without iron elements. The main load falls on the bridge of the nose, and there is practically no pressure on the mouth. This type is usually used if the horse has oral diseases.

A running bridle, or side pool on a horse, resembles a halter. It has a simple shape and is very easy to remove.

What is a halter

Caring for the horse's mane and tail

A halter is a type of bridle without bits. This type is worn on a horse every day. Usually the halter is made of a dense woven material (wide rope, braid, coarse belt, even an elastic band) that does not rub the animal's skin. However, there are also more decorative options. The halter is especially brightly decorated by gypsies. For decoration, it is customary to use:

  • gold and silver chains;
  • precious and semi-precious stones;
  • embroidery in various styles;
  • lace.

Usually, a product decorated in this way is worn on those horses that participate in various exhibitions, circus performances, demonstration shows and sports events.

Halter

The halter is used to facilitate their work by people assigned to care for animals. For example, it can be used to move a horse to another stall.

Important! The halter is simply pulled over the animal's head and a rope lead is attached to it. However, it is impossible to give precise commands to the horse with this device. The most that can be done with the halter is to keep the horse in the required position (for example, if the groom is combing his charges or being examined by a veterinarian). It is also an irreplaceable item during saddling.

Features of using a rope halter

The simplest halter made of rope has many advantages over the classic bridle options. This variety is the most humane for a horse. The animal almost does not feel a foreign object, so it behaves calmly. The skin of the animal is not rubbed with rough belts. Also, no corns from metal buckles appear, because the halter does not have metal parts at all. However, the halter allows you to control the horse quite effectively. When the horse deviates from the desired trajectory, the rope halter gives him discomfort, and the horse changes direction to get rid of this sensation.

How to wear bridles and halters correctly

It is easiest for a beginner horse breeder to get used to the simplest rope halter. You need to use it as follows:

  1. The rider or breeder should check the strength of the carabiner.
  2. Next, you need to take a stable position on the left side of the horse.
  3. You need to find a common language with the animal: pet the horse, talk to her affectionately. The meaning of the words is not important, the main thing is intonation. Before putting on the halter, you need to make sure that the animal is not aggressive.
  4. A leash is thrown around the neck.
  5. The rider takes the harness in his left hand, with his right hand takes the head of his horse.
  6. They put on the halter, then the head strap is pulled.
  7. The carabiner snaps into place. Now the halter is fully clothed.

Having successfully mastered this most primitive type of harness, you can begin to master the bridle itself. When putting on the halter, all movements must be calm and smooth, otherwise the horse may get scared and behave aggressively. In no case should you pull the reins. The bridle is worn according to the same principle as the halter.

Important! Before using a halter for a horse, you need to look at the condition of the carbine and chumbura every time. Damage to these parts, not noticed in time, can lead to tragedy while riding: the horse will simply get out of control, becoming uncontrollable. In the presence of even insignificant, at first glance, damage to harness the horse is strictly prohibited.

How to make a bridle and halter for a horse with your own hands

It is useful for a horse breeder to know how to make a halter for a horse. You can make a bridle and halter yourself, from scrap materials. This is exactly what the Roma do, as well as many rural residents.

How to wear bridles and halters correctly

You can sew the product according to the ready-made scheme. First you need to measure the horse's muzzle and neck. The correct size is very important. Next, you need to master the technique of performing double knots. It is not difficult to tie a double knot, but it is very durable. The correct design of the halter, made with a double knot, is in the shape of the letter X. You can use an ordinary rope as the material. The only condition is that it must be as strong as possible.

A metal or plastic ring is sewn at the bottom of the structure. Then it will be possible to attach to it the junctions necessary to keep the horse in the same position for a long time. It will be much easier to keep the horse by the bridle. It will also be possible to attach a cord to this ring.

The ready-made halter can be decorated as desired. The main thing is that the decor does not cause discomfort to the horse during movement (for example, stones with sharp angles cannot be used for decoration). The decor must not cut into the skin or cause irritation. Do not arrange decorative elements in such a way that they obstruct the horse's view of the road.

In modern stores there is a huge selection of goods for horse breeding and equestrian sports. The choice of bridle must be approached especially carefully, then the horse will easily cope with its tasks, and the owner will be pleased with it. If the bridle is of good quality, nothing will give the animal any discomfort while moving.