I have a smartpak one. Horse is a bay so I haven’t noticed if the leather bleeds but sizing is definitely big. He has a finer TB type head and it is a bit boxy on him but ok for everyday. The leather is supple and doesn’t dry out despite a lot of abuse :). The brass plate is less than stellar though. I have been using it about a year and the nameplate is rusting and scratched. He does’t wear it in the field, just to and from barn, so i would expect a good quality brass plate to look a lot better.
This is the one I have, from Tack Shack of Ocala. I love it–they put a nameplate on it for me and sent me a crown piece to my specifications. I love the fancy stitching on the crown piece. I am sure they would tell you the exact measurements ahead of time. I have gotten so many compliments on this halter.
I have 2 of the SmartPak triple stitched halters. One is 6+ years old, the other is just under 2, and both have held up beautifully as pretty everyday halters. I would agree that they run a little large. On my 16h compact sports car of a gelding I punched two holes in the crown piece to get the perfect fit. For my big 16.3h mare she’s on the top holes. Both have more refined TB type heads and the nose band/throatlatches fit both horses no problem.
They are made by Perri’s, and were soft out of the bag - both of mine are the Havanna color and are lovely and dark. Bay horses, so if they bled color I never noticed.
I ordered a Quillin’s halter for my big headed TB mare this spring. She wears an OS bridle, so I wasn’t sure what size halter to get. I e-mailed them and the response was quick and super helpful. They measured all of the “pieces” of the halter for me so I could compare to my halter. They will also add length to the crown piece for free. I had them add an inch just to be safe, but I wouldn’t need it. The halter is beautiful and fits great. I love it. The customer service was really helpful and the halter arrived super quickly.
[QUOTE=Dewey;7759836]
This is the one I have, from Tack Shack of Ocala. I love it–they put a nameplate on it for me and sent me a crown piece to my specifications. I love the fancy stitching on the crown piece. I am sure they would tell you the exact measurements ahead of time. I have gotten so many compliments on this halter.
http://www.tackshackocala.com/3042.html[/QUOTE]
That IS cute!! Too bad there doesn’t appear to be option right off the bat for snapped throatlatch instead of fixed. Also…stays? What are those for? Stallion stays?
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;7758019]
Don’t forget Quillens, if your’e willing to not go the SmartPak route.[/QUOTE]
Don’t forget Fennell’s either. Great people to deal with and very nice halters.
I got a halter for Mom’s pony who has an almost horse sized head last Christmas. Blew me away when I gave my name, & they said “in NC right?” I hadn’t bought anything in 4 or 5 years. It almost creeped me out.:lol:
