Belts & Nameplates

[Equestrian24]

I was looking at getting a nice belt and noticed that there are nameplate belts, which I like the idea of. I’ve seen them both with the rider’s name and with one or more nameplates with horses’ names on them.

Is there a specific tradition that is typically followed, or is it pretty much up to the rider’s personal preference? Do you have both past and present horses (assuming there aren’t too many to fit on the belt) or just present ones? If you only have one horse, do you put both you and the horse’s name on it? Show or barn names?

Also, what good quality leather belt would you recommend? I’m looking at Edgewood, but also came across Bennett’s Fine Hunter Bridles, which is the son of the maker of Jimmy’s tack, and his tack is beautiful but I haven’t seen any prices. Does anyone have experience with those? Also, dumb question, but do you oil, clean, and condition a belt in the same way you would tack?

Also, are there any other neat personalized belt ideas that are also classy and somewhat traditional? I believe I’ve seen stamped ones before as well.

Thank you!

[roseymare]

Here’s another option. Plainer than you may want though. More KY style.

https://quillin.com/halter-plate-belts-starting-at/

[SolarFlare]

I’ve got a leather belt from Tory that’s also raised and fancy stitched, with some flat sections. I have two engraved plates installed (one past horse and one current), with their show names. I’ve only personally owned two so I have no trouble fitting them I don’t clean/condition or do anything with mine except wear it, which helped it soften up.

I do have a Quillin halter and lead and wouldn’t hesitate to buy any leather goods from them either.

[ExpialidociousOTTB]

I always wanted a nameplate belt when I was a kid, but never had my own horse - so last year I got a Tory leather belt with engraved plate from SmartPak, and I had my horse’s show name engraved - he’s the only horse I’ve ever owned, but if I ever get the chance to add to my horsey family, I will get an additional plate.

I only have used it to show, so I haven’t needed to clean the leather or anything.

[ReSomething]

Being that I live in Ky I have MY name on the belt,lol. Just like half the men that wore them at work and really didn’t have much to do with horses. There is no rule and the belts don’t need to be treated like tack unless you wear them daily while working up a sweat, moving hay or some other dirty task. I wore mine riding, dirtiest thing I did was catch and groom.

[Scribbler]

I have had many belts over the years, as a fashion item once upon a time (before super low waist jeans!), and cowboy belts, one 40 years old, and narrow belts that fit English breeches. I’ve never had any need to clean them or condition them because nothing much happens to them. In that way they are like leather handbags. If anything drastic happens to a leather handbag (a pen leaks over the bottom, they get scuffed or faded in wierd ways), they are basically toast as far as being part of a nice outfit. If nothing bad happens, they last forever. Also I wouldn’t put any conditioner or shoe polish on handbags or belts because it is going to soak into the clothing that it touches and make a mess.

I would just say, if you are youngish and you hope to keep the belt for a long time, get it generously sized :). Just sayin’…

[roseymare]

@Scribbler

I
I would just say, if you are youngish and you hope to keep the belt for a long time, get it generously sized :). Just sayin’…

Haha. I concur as one who has two nameplate belts size 26…

But I do occasionally condition my belts with Bick4