Horse Bridles
Bridle Accessories

From: Equestrian And Horse Tack | Horse Bridles

See Also: Fitting A Bridle | Removing A Bridle

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Horse Bridles - Bridle Accessories

Breastplate
Made of leather or webbed material these help prevent the saddle from slipping. They usually come in pony, cob, or full size.

The Huntley breastplate is fitted with a short piece of leather which lies on the horses neck just in front of the wither in front of the saddle. It is from this strap that two further straps two at either end are fitted.

One piece of leather will attach itself to the D rings of the saddle while the other runs down the length of the shoulder and attaches itself to a central ring in the middle of the chest.

From here there is a single strap which runs through the horses front legs and attaches to the girth through a adjustable loop. If required the centre ring of a breastplate can also have a running martingale attachment added.

To fit a breastplate one hand span should be able to be fitted between the wither of the horse and the strap,between the straps that run down the shoulder and between the strap that runs through the horses legs to the girth.As a rough guide If fitting a running martingale attachment the rings of the martingale should be able to reach where the base of the jaw meets the neck. Rein stops will need to be added to prevent the rings of the martingale from getting caught up in the reins or with the bit.

Running Martingale
Traditionally made of leather in colors such as black,brown and havana this comes in pony,cob and full size.It is used to prevent the horse from lifting its head up too high. The running martingale consists of a chest strap which has an adjustable loop at the end of it through which the girth is attached. This chest strap runs through the horses front legs up to the base of the neck it is from here that it is joined by a neck strap which quite literally goes around the neck of the horse it too has a buckle for adjustment so that a distance of one hand span can be fitted.From the base of the neck strap the leather splits into two each of the two straps containing a single ring at the end,it is through these rings that the reins are attached. When fitting a running martingale the rings should be able to reach where the base of the jaw meets the neck. The reins will need rein stops added to prevent the rings from getting caught up in the bit or with the reins and martingale stops will need to be added where the chest strap meets the neck strap to prevent them from moving.

Standing Martingale
Made of leather it also prevents the horse from lifting its head up too high but does not allow as much freedom as the running martingale.It consists of a long leather strap with an adjustable loop at the end through which the girth is threaded, the strap itself will pass from the girth up through the front legs to the the base of the neck where it is joined by a neck strap which goes around the neck. From the base of the neck the central chest strap runs directly to the noseband on the bridle where it is attached via a small loop on the martingale to sit under the jaw, therefore preventing the horse from lifting its head up too high. As a guide to fit a standing martingale the small loop which attaches to the noseband should be able to reach the jaw. A martingale stop will need to be added to the point where the centre chest strap meets the neck strap, this will keep the neck strap in place.

Irish Martingale
This is made of a short strap of leather and has rings fitted at either end, it is through these rings that the reins are threaded. Rein stops are required to prevent the martingale from getting caught up in the reins and the bit.This type of martingale does not prevent the horse from throwing their head up what it does help stop is the reins from coming over the horses head in the event of a fall.It is most commonly seen with race horses.

Rein Stops
These are used with a martingale and prevent the rings of the martingales from getting caught up with the reins and the bit,if they do the martingale will be unable to prevent the horse from lifting up its head.

Bit Guards
Are plastic circles which have a central hole in them through which the bit sits.They are positioned on either side of the bit at the side of the horses face and prevent the bit from pinching the horse.

Martingale Stops
These are rubber stops about an inch in length and they are attached to where the running straps meet the central strap that runs through the horses legs, the function of the martingale stop is to secure the running straps in place.

Sheepskin Noseband
This is a sleeve of sheepskin that is fitted over the central part of the noseband and encourages the horse to lower his head, when the horses head carriage is up high they cannot see in front so they have to lower their heads.

Fly Fringes
These are used in the summer to help give relief from the flies going into the horses ears and eyes.They can also be used to muffle noisy surroundings.Made out of cotton they are ideal for the summer as they are easy to clean and lightweight,sizes range from Pony,Cob or Full and many colors are available.They are worn over the horses ears and held in place by the bridle being placed over the top and a throatlatch strap which fastens up to the fly fringe itself.

Identity Tags
Are especially useful on large yards where there are many bridles in circulation. The best place to attach a tag is on the side of the bridle or on the D ring of a saddle. The tag itself should be small and not interfere in any way to the bridle and horses way of going.

Crupper
Used to help prevent the saddle from moving forward up the ponies neck.It attaches to the saddle via D rings and then forms a loop that goes under the tail.

Fulmer Keepers
These are short pieces of leather in a figure of eight shape. The top half of the loop attaches onto the lower part of the cheek pieces which attach to the bit, and the other part loops over the side cheeks of the bridle.

Training Devices
Training devices to aid the horses way of going, there are many ways to help your horse to work in a correct outline and these devices if used correctly and part of an already established work program can help. Such devices include:

These training aids are made of leather and/or webbing making them strong and long lasting.Some being used when ridden and some used solely for lunging.

The Market Harborough
This is a strap which attaches like a martingale to the girth and runs up inbetween the horses legs, where the neck strap joins the leather strap it splits into two much like a running martingale it then proceeds up to the snaffle bit where it passes through the bit and attaches itself to rings attached to the reins in intervals along it therefore allowing you to alter where you would like it positioned. This device acts on its own should the horse lift its head up pressure is appled to the bit and therefore the bars of the horses mouth encouraging the horse to lower its head.

More About The Market Harborough

Draw Reins
These can be made of leather or webbing material and are to be used when riding only.There should be two loops which are attached to the girth, care must be taken to ensure that they are not twisted. The draw reins then pass through the front legs with one strap going up to the inside of both sides of the bit rings and being passed along to the wither where they will now be used as a second pair of reins. The rider will use the draw rein in a similar way to that of a curb rein with the snaffle rein between the ring and little finger and the draw rein underneath the little finger allowing the rider to be subtle when they are using the draw rein. Draw reins act to lower the horses head and should only be used in experienced hands as part of a training program.

More About Draw Reins

Running Reins
Can be made of leather or webbing and have either loops or buckles at either end which allows them to be easily attached to the girth straps of the saddle. They should be fitted to go under all three girth straps then back over two and under one to keep them secure while under the saddle flap,they then go through the inside of the bit rings and along to the wither where they will be used in conjunction with the existing pair of reins. The rider will have the snaffle rein between the ring and little finger and the running rein under the little finger allowing a subtle feel on the rein. Running reins act to encourage the horse to carry its head in an outline without too much lowering action such as seen with draw reins. They should be used in experienced hands as part of a training program.

More About Running Reins

Chambon
This is to be used when lunging only.It is made up of a leather headpiece which attaches to the headpiece on the bridle by small leather closures. On either side of the headpiece are two metal pulleys through which a pulley cord of webbed material goes at the end of the pulley cord there is a clip which attaches to the bit ring. At the opposite end of the cord the cord joins a leather strap which runs down in between the horses front legs and attaches to the girth by way of a loop.The Chambon works by encouraging the horse to relax and lower his head and neck and work through his back.

More About The Chambon

De Gogue
This can be used for both riding and lunging. It consists of a leather headpiece which attaches via leather loops to the top of the headpiece.It has two pulleys on either side of the headpiece and it is through these that a webbed cord runs.One half of the cord runs from the headpiece down to the chest strap and the other half runs down next to the cheek piece through the inside of the bit and then for lunging it is attached to the chest strap which then runs down inbetween the two front legs and onto the girth.For riding the webbed cord goes from the bit to the rider via a rein. The De Gogue should be ridden with the rider holding a snaffle rein inbetween their little and ring finger and the De Gogue rein under the little finger. The De Gogue aims to lower the horses head and make it work in more of an outline by applying poll and bit pressure.

More About The De Gogue

Harbridge
This is used when riding on the flat. It is made up a leather chest strap which attaches to the girth and runs up in between the two front legs where it splits into two with a buckle at either end and these are attached to leather straps which contain an elasticated end which clips onto the bit.The buckle in the centre allows the Harbridge to be lengthened or shortened as required. Its aim is to encourage the horse to work in an otline without fixing their heads or allowing leaning on the bridle.

Side Reins
These are to be used when lunging a horse.They can be made of leather or synthetic material and some have elasticated straps added to allow some give to the contact.They are attached to the saddle by taking the side reins under all three girth straps and back over two and under one keeping them securely in place.The end of the side rein then continues to a buckle and then the rest of the strap continues on to a clip which fastens onto the bit itself. Do not attach the side reins on to the bit until you have worked the horse for a good few minutes, the best place to leave them secure is by attaching them to the D rings on the saddle. When fitting side reins as a rough guide once attached to the saddle they should reach to the where the neck meets the jaw. You can attach side reins to a roller as well by using the D rings along it for attachment.


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