Okay I had to be told what these were, but a friend of mine is trying to find one. I’m an arena person but I told her I would ask here.
We tie belly-dancer bells onto our dogs when we hike in the national forest, if that’s what you mean.
I think they came from World Market or someplace that sells imports.
ETA: I’d think you’d have to habituate the horse to them pretty well before going out, or bears would be the least of your problems.
REI sells them, although I am not sure how helpful they are against bears.
Most of us use bear bells to warn hunters that we aren’t dinner coming down the trail! I got mine at Rei and they have a web site. Mine are large bells attached to a web/velcro strap so are nicely ready to use on a saddle D ring.
Turkey hunters really despise hearing them coming (heck they despise horse riders) so I take them off at the end of Deer season.
Bonnie S.
I love this joke:
The Forest Service has issued a BEAR WARNING in the national forests for this summer. They’re urging everyone to protect themselves by wearing bells and carrying pepper spray.
Campers should be alert for signs of fresh bear activity, and they should be able to tell the difference between Black Bear dung and Grizzy Bear dung.
Black Bear dung is rather small and round. Sometimes you can see fruit seeds and/or squirrel fur in it.
Grizzly Bear dung has bells in it, and smells like pepper spray!
Thanks I will pass along the REI info. I like the bear joke myself ;0)
The first time I came across them was when I went to test ride my mare who was up in the Sierras. The trainer had them attached to the cinch. Said it was just an alert to the bears, if they were ahead. I haven’t used them though-so don’t know how effective they are…
Oh, and another option that is popular with the barrel racers and trail folks are rhythm or speed beads.
A cheap version:
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RBN895&Category_Code=
Or just make your own out of bells and fishing line. After the holidays you can usually get jingle bells on clearance for next to nothing.
One hint for big bells is to stick a magnet to them when you don’t need them to jingle so they don’t drive you nuts.
I got mine at REI, but rarely have used it. I trail ride with at least three other women on shod horses. Sometimes there are seven or eight of us. Between the gabbing and the clanking of shoes against rocks I figure the bears hear us coming a mile away.
Try http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/bear-bells.html.
My hubby used to go on a guys’ fishing trip every year in Alaska. They had to wear bear bells so they wouldn’t inadvertantly “sneak” up on and startle a bear.
Rhythm beads are another option… they make a nice sound and aren’t too overwhelming… but I am thinking a bear bell’s sound would travel better.
I don’t use them, but I can certainly hear them.
They drive me crazy on the trail, and I will conciously make an effort to pass a rider/horse wearing them and get ahead in order to get out of hearing range 
Very distracting.
I don’t know if they work or not though. This is bear country, and I’ve seen in 30 years, 1 bear on the trail.
I have rhythm bells and they are bear bells (i.e. jingle bells) mounted on a leather strap that drapes around the horse’s neck.
I did a lot of back country back packing and yes they keep the bears away. at least, they know you’re coming vs. surprising them (which is bad!)
I have a small strap of sleigh bells that I use if I am riding on a public trail during hunting season. A little louder than rhythm beads but not too obnoxious. It’s more to warn the hunters than warn critters.
[QUOTE=rainechyldes;3902924]
I don’t use them, but I can certainly hear them.
They drive me crazy on the trail, and I will conciously make an effort to pass a rider/horse wearing them and get ahead in order to get out of hearing range Very distracting.
QUOTE]
Me, too. There is a gal who will come up to our group when we are getting ready to ride in a certain place. She stands around and stands around hoping I know that someone will invite her to ride with us. We don’t because every move her horse makes jingles and jangles. I can’t stand it. I don’t want to hear that whether I’m alone or with a group.
Each to their own I guess.
I often ride, sometimes pack in bear country (black bears mind you)…no one in our merry band uses bells to deter bears. Several do keep them on the horse, especially in camp, so that if for any reason the horse gets away, the horse becomes easier to find out there in the boondocks.
