cutting down a dressage bridle

[J-Lu]

Yes, you heard me!

I have a Kieffer bridle that was originally a bit large for my horse and now I’m at every last hole (the bridle is ~4 years old). The bridle as a whole fits him but the excess straps are just that - excess. Super excess.

New bridles are very costly, and I like my current browband and reins. The crank cavesson is good but the straps are long and I’d need to punch another hole in the crown strap and cut down the ends of the crown and crank straps (otherwise I like it and it fits). I’m considering buying new parts (I’m eyeing the schumacher padded crown…I assume the cavesson threads through? And/or smaller cheek pieces) because this would be cheaper than buying a whole new bridle. I’m also thinking of cutting the extra strap length off and punching additional holes.

Re cutting down the bridle straps, is this something I should bring to a tack shop that specializes in repairing leather to do? Is there some method of cutting and sealing/re-dying the ends? Is this a dumb idea that would ruin the bridle?

Any and all input welcome! Thanks!!

[LarkspurCO]

I had an oversize bridle cut down. I took it to a man who makes custom western saddles and tack, but also repairs English tack. On the cheek pieces I think he removed the buckles, shortened them, and sewed them back, rather than cutting the ends. I forget how he shortened the crank, but it worked and it all looks very good.

He has repaired my reins and broken bridles, added new leather, and the the ends always look died and finished just like the original. He uses good English leather and everything comes out just fine. As a matter of fact, my horse bucked me off last night and ran away and broke my favorite reins (again) so I will be having them fixed yet again. I’m thinking of having him lengthen them for me this time. What the heck – still cheaper than a new set of reins.

I would look for a leather shop or a saddler or boot maker who does leather work.

[RedHorses]

I recommend having the buckles moved as well. You may then also want the billets ends shortened, but the overall appearance will be nicer when the buckles aren’t jammed up to the end holes. A leather craftsman would be able to do both for you.

While it wasn’t a dressage bridle, I did make my second horse’s bridle smaller to fit the fourth horse by moving buckles. He did get a new browband as the second horse’s browband couldn’t be cut down without affecting the decoration.

[SonnysMom]

Have it professionally done. Make sure they understand to shorten it from the buckle end and not just cut the ends. I had my flash shortened and the Amish guy just cut it and redyed the end. I would have preferred to have it shortened from the other end. The friend who dropped it off for me didn’t make that clear. It looks fine though so no big deal.

[purplnurpl]

Heck no! Take some trauma sheers and hack that crap off.
or buy cob cheek pieces?

I just cut down extra strap off my brand spanking new bridle.
I found a thing through Google that shows you how to dye and rewax those blunt ends.

[J-Lu]

Thanks, everyone!! i thought cutting down the bridle was a far-fetched idea. I guess it wasn’t!

[keysfins]

A black sharpie/permanent marker works just fine on those nekkid leather edges.

The hard part, when cutting a free end, is getting the top edges creased so it looks nice. There must be a tool for that. I don’t care how flash straps or crank straps look, I just try to make a neat cut with similar angles to the originals. Bandage shears or trauma shears really do a nice job.