Equine Tack & Equipment Part I Halters and Bridles Types of Halters - Probably the safest type of halter for horses in pastures because they will break if caught on an. o Leather halters are and often used for halters. Silver decorations are often added to show halters. o Leather halters are if they are cared for properly by cleaning with mild soap and afterwards. Halter- good for restraining horses as they do not break easily. May cause if a loose horse gets caught _ and durable o Attractive and easy to for. Halters- May be nylon or cotton and are primarily used on and o Inexpensive and easy to care for, but often break rather easily. o Not as attractive as leather or nylon web halters. o The of this halter has diminished. Use of Halters A halter is a simplified bridle without a bit or reins. Halters are useful for, and horses. A properly fitting halter should fit snug, but allow enough room for the horse to. The noseband of a properly fitting halter should lie about inches below the horse s cheek bones. These should be about between the noseband and of a properly fitting halter. Haltering a Horse Pre-haltering steps: 1
o Failure in haltering most often occurs because the halter is not prior to approaching the horse. o The halter should be with the bridle and crownpiece held in the hand o A lead rope may be held with the halter. o Approach the horse (correct and speaking softly) o Rub the horse s o Place the lead around the equine s neck. Applying the Halter Reach over the horse s neck with the hand. Pass the (held in the left hand) under the equine s neck and grasp it with the hand. Keep the in the left hand. the noseband over the nose. buckle the halter. Eastern Bridle Three Major Types - the simplest form of an eastern bridle. o Includes a snaffle o Similar to a western bridle because it includes a brow band except the brow band ( ) is separate from the bridle and the bit used is a snaffle bit. or Weymouth Bridle- Also known as a bridle. o Includes a snaffle bit, reins, cheek pieces and with an additional with brow band, curb bit, curb chain, lip strap and placed on top. o Uses both a and bit together. Bridle- similar to a snaffle bridle, except that: o Has two sets of reins which attach to the Pelham bit (A combination of a snaffle and curb bit) o Includes a and lip strap. 2
Snaffle Bits A snaffle bit is a mouthpiece with on each end for attaching reins. Snaffle bits may have or mouthpieces. The rings of the mouth piece must be large enough or have additional to prevent the bit from being pulled through the mouth when one ring is pulled. Snaffle bits put pressure mainly on the of the horse s mouth with some additional pressure on the and. Curb Bits A curb bit is a mouthpiece with at each end for attaching reins. Curb bits may have a or mouthpiece. The solid mouthpiece may have a raised portion in the middle called a. The larger the port, the more placed on the of the mouth of the horse. The shanks of a curb bit act along with the chain strap or chain to create action when the reins are pulled. Curb bits exert pressure on the,, and possibly the of the mouth as well as to the and of the horse. Combination Bits The three basic combination bits are: Bit Replace the rings of the basic snaffle bit with a ring with slots for the attachment of cheek pieces and the curb chain. The curb chain and D-shaped rings act as a short shank for exerting pressure on the horse s chin 3
The Kimberwicke bit gives more than an ordinary snaffle while still using just set of. Pelham Bit The Pelham is a snaffle bit with rings that also have a shank with rings for the attachment of a set of. One set of reins are attached to the snaffle ring to provide direct pressure to the. The second set of reins are attached to the shank to provide action and curb pressure on the horse. Pulling both sets of reins at the same time gives direct action to the snaffle bit. The Pelham bit allows,. Weymouth Set sets of reins are used to provide direct pressure and/or curb pressure. Direct snaffle action and leverage curb action may be used or. Western Bridle The western bridle has The headstall includes a cheek piece, a crown piece and. A curb bit must have shanks and a curb strap or chain Some western bridles also have a sliding piece or a band to help hold the bridle in place. Uses of Bridles The function of the bridle is to hold the bit in the correct place of the equine s mouth so the rider/driver has without the horse s mouth. 4
An Eastern bridle using a snaffle bit may have a jointed or solid mouthpiece that works with action on a horse s mouth. A bridle that uses a curb bit works with action on a horse s mouth. The type of bridle to use will depend on the of riding, and of the horse, and the of the horse s mouth A stock horse requires a Western bridle. Well trained English horses with sensitive mouths require a bridles. ponies usually require a bridle. Hackmore Bit Works with action to apply pressure to the horse s nose, chin and poll The hackamore bit has n. The longer the shanks of the hackamore bit, the more pressure that can be applied to the nose and chin. hackamore does not have shanks like a hackamore bit. The true hackamore applies direct pressure on the nose and chin with a Popular materials from which to make a bosal include, and. How Bits Work All bits act on one or more pressure points on a horse s head in such a way that the horse will respond to relieve the pressure. Bits may exert direct pressure of leveraged pressure The seven pressure points are: 5
Factors Affecting the Bit s Effectiveness A larger diameter bit mouthpiece with a rubber covering puts little pressure on the horse s mouth and is considered a very mild bit. Uses of Individual Bits Snaffle bits are often used to train young horses. Curb bits are commonly used on adult horses (including stock horses) Combination bits are preferred for -style riding. Kimberwicke bits give more control than straight snaffle. Pelham bits give more control than snaffle or Kimberwicke bits. Weymouth bits are primarily used for horses, upper level, and sometimes hunters because they give control The hackamore bit is useful on horses with mouth injuries and on horses who will not receive a bit. Hackamores are popular for training horses. Care of Halters and Bridles Leather should be washed with mild detergent and oiled after they dry. Discard halters and bridles. Bridling Basic Bridling Bridling technique is different from haltering as the bridle is pulled the horse s face. Bridling should be performed saddling. Applying the Bridle 6
At the same time, use the and of the left hand between the bars of the equine s mouth to encourage the animals to open its Or Use the left hand to guide the bit being careful not to the bit against the horse s teeth. After the bit is in the mouth: Adjust the bit so there are no more than one or wrinkles in the of the equine s mouth. Adjust the throatlatch strap so fingers will fit between it and the equine s jaw. Adjust the noseband and curb strap according to directions for that particular bridle. Removing the Bridle Use the hand to hold down and tuck in the equine s face while gently sliding the bridle off over the head with the right hand. The End! 7