Bridle Name Plate on Cheekpiece?

[Dappled.Hunter]

I need to put a nameplate on my hunter bridle. It is the Antares Hunter Bridle. I reached out to Antares and they they stated the following: People usually install the nameplate on the cheek piece of the bridle since the noseband is threaded up to the crown of the bridle and is too thick for a rivet. You are welcome to install a nameplate but the warranty will be voided on the bridle if you chose to do so.

Has anyone put the plate on the cheekpiece? If so, do you have a photo? Please note, I am not interested in using a tag or leather stamp. Plate only please. Thanks all!

[trubandloki]

That is an interesting response. I have not seen that done. I hope someone responds with photos.

[Training_Cupid]

I’ve always seen them on the crown piece, but that was before padded or mono-crowns. I think now mostly I see small circle hanging tags.

[vxf111]

I have seen this but don’t like it myself

[Peggy]

@Training_Cupid

I’ve always seen them on the crown piece, but that was before padded or mono-crowns. I think now mostly I see small circle hanging tags.

People were using little round tags years before putting them on crown pieces. At least in my neck of the woods.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

The tiny circle hanging tag by the throat latch has been the latest go-to that I’ve noted.
Granted, I think they’re easier to remove if someone was actively trying to steal your tack, but if it’s just to identify it vs your barnmates, it’s a good idea and doesn’t jingle or make too much fuss to distract horse, and it won’t destroy the leather or void warranties. The biggest thing is that you’re probably relegated to initials or only a few letters.

[Tha_Ridge]

I’ve seen this. You do it on the cheekpiece closer to the buckle so that the excess leather will cover the plate when it’s in the keepers. I do something similar with my standing martingales.

[findeight]

If you put it on the cheekpiece, the metal rivet base could rub the noseband strap that runs underneath or rub the horse. Its also kind of obvious and, , certainly on a Hunter, distracting.

Cheekpiece on a halter, as is often seen, is fine because its not as closely fitted and the horse is not working heavily, creating movement against other bridle parts or sweaty skin. Not on purpose anyway😳

[Tha_Ridge]

@findeight

If you put it on the cheekpiece, the metal rivet base could rub the noseband strap that runs underneath or rub the horse. Its also kind of obvious and, , certainly on a Hunter, distracting.

You cannot see the plate at all if it’s installed in the manner I describe above, so I’m not sure how it would be any more distracting than a plate on the crownpiece. Also, most metal rivets recess slightly into the leather a bit so it would still be leather rubbing leather.

[Peggy]

I typically use the horse’s barn name, so short for my horses. I’ve also used my first or last name or initials, depending on barn preference.

But you can fit a decent amount on one, or even a second line.

Engraved Bridle Tag / Blanket Tag

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Good to know… ours were usually 3 initials for 4-5 letter names. So haven’t had to ever need more than that… but useful to know it fits longer.

[Equestrian24]

I have seen them installed on cheek pieces, but have never done so, myself. My fear is that the cheek piece is such a thin/narrow and flexible strap that it may start to wear around the holes, causing the strap to crack/break prematurely. With that being said, I’ve seen bridles with them installed there that are fine, and it’s probably not much different than a martingale, so perhaps I worry over nothing.

I wish I could find a photo, but can’t seem to on Google. IIRC, EquuSport installs them on the cheek pieces as well. The best I can describe the look is that it’s similar to a martingale, in that the excess of the strap covers the plate.

Edit: I just remembered I have a couple of spare plates lying around, so I can hold it up to one of my bridles and take a pic to mimic what it would look like. I’ll do that and post!

[Dappled.Hunter]

Thank you! That’d be helpful!

[Equestrian24]

The nameplate is 2" X 3/8" and the cheek piece on the bridle is 3/8" wide.

I hope this helps! I can get better photos if needed, as well.

[Equestrian24]

Here is the same plate on a bridle with 1/2" cheek pieces, and some pictures taken from further away so you can get a better idea of the overall look.

[LazyA1]

I wouldn’t put plates on the cheekpiece. I have a private farm, but back when I boarded I dutifully put nameplates on my bridle crownpieces. Nice bridles that I could still probably use if not for the fact that the plates caused the leather around the rivet holes to deteriorate.

[vxf111]

This is my worry too, that it’s going to make the cheekpiece wear out prematurely. I am also kind of OCD and having a plate on just one side annoys me.

[Bristol_Bay]

It’s easy to replace cheekpieces. I think it’s a good idea if you think you’l be hanging on to the bridle.

I get the round tags, and my full name fits on them, and I have a long name.

[widge]

Not to derail (but here I go): for a nameplate on a crown piece, I have seen both centered over top of the poll and slightly off to the side. My preference is centered on top/poll so that it’s not readily visible from the ground. What is the thinking for off to the side? Is/was this just a fad? Or something people might do for a schooling bridle?

[Equestrian24]

I believe it’s mostly tradition. I remember seeing them off to the left years before I ever saw them centered on the crown (though that isn’t to say it wasn’t also being done that way; that’s just what I remember). I know some people like the way a bridle hangs on a hook better with the plate off to the side, and I have noticed with bridles I have with the plate off to the left vs. centered, that the ones with the centered nameplates don’t hang as nicely on tack hooks (though it isn’t an issue on the wider bridle racks as long as the plate is malleable and bent in the correct shape). I think some like to see the name when they’re on the left of the horse, or like the look of the plate being visible. Otherwise, I think it’s just personal preference. To me, it’s about six one way, half a dozen the other!

Also slightly derailing, I’ve seen some really weird (IMO) nameplate applications, such as on the excess of the reins near the center buckle (which I would think would add weight to the reins that would feel weird) and even on the browband once (and on a halter noseband). I’ve only seen each of those once or twice apiece, but found them interesting!