Okay, this is a term I’m not familiar with. Does it refer to the super-wide nose bands you see at hunts?
Is there a functional reason for it, or is it just tradition?
I read somewhere that it is easier to see any wear in the leather on flat tack.
It is traditional. Wouldn’t my 17.2 hand draft cross look ridiculous in a pencil thin, decoratively stitched raised noseband? His 2" flat one looks a LOT better. I do believe flat tack is sturdier. Clients hunt in raised tack and where the “raised” part ends there are multiple cracks and dangerously thin (from cracks) areas that I would not feel comfortable about. Plus it is easier to get mud crusted flat tack clean. not so much foo foo stitching to scrub(wear) and therefore weaken the integrity of the piece of tack. Also buckles on flat tack are usually bigger (sturdier)…Out there, your life might depend on the integrity of your tack. Never skimp on reins, stirrups or girths. Get the best and then treat it well.
Very strong, easy to clean and (to me) easier to inspect for wear. I don’t ever want to have to deal with an oops - my rein broke - while out hunting. nosireebob. (it can happen with any tack, new, used or decrepit - but I just want to minimize the risk if I can)
Jumpinghigh83 - you hunt a 17.2 draft cross? Where do you buy your bits?
Actually the last few bits I bought were from a blacksmith supply in Greenville NY run by Butch Colbert…I cant think of the name of the store though…I will ask my blacksmith the “real” name so i you need to you can contact them! (he wears a 6 1/2" !!) The one we ride in isnt the one I hunt in! ( always believe in a little more vs a little less out in the field!);):winkgrin:
Greene County Horseshoe Supply
Butch Colbert
Route 32, Box 11
Greenville NY 12083
Phone: 518/966-4488
Phone: 800/237-4488
Fax: 518/966-4147
E-mail: gchs@mail.albany.ne
I have an “Easy Button”!! There! That was easy!
(Actually stole it from “The Anvil” web page!)
Flat tack is much easier to clean and inspect. My tack gets dirtier in the hunt field than doing anything else. Sweat, mud, etc. The flat tack is easy to inspect, condition, clean, and oil.
jmho!
Wanabe! Yes it is extremely traditional that bridles/breastplates/reins be made of plain flat leather. No synthetics, patterns, raised stictching, any stitching actually!, padded nosebands/browbands etc. No dressage bridles, bling, colored browbands, or designs/decorations. Plain, plain, plain. Brown leather. The functionality is that it’s strong, easy to clean & inspect, easy to oil. Plain flat tack is getting harder & harder to find as padded, stitched bridles are quite the norm. And because fieldhunters are often larger horses with larger heads; often the nosebands come in wider widths. This makes their big ole heads look more “refined” or “noble” and provides the additional strength needed to keep that big mouth shut!! :winkgrin: The thicker/wider it is; the stronger and longer it will last. Afterall, hunting tack takes a licking and gets cleaned a lot. Lots of sweat, dirt and gunk to clean off. Oil it before it’s used the first time and this will make it “waterproof”, keep it soft and last a long time. These bridles often cost more and the best are probably made in England.
And in our area, flat tack is most common. And to add to the trivia for today = did you know that there are really only 3 bits customary to use out hunting ? The plain snaffle, the pelham and the double bridle. But …most of us don’t comply…but flat tack? Absolutely!!
Hey, if you’re gonna take up a sport…get the right uniform!! 
And the right gear!! and hunt on!! Woooohooooo!!
Thanks everybody. 
It’s also easier to repair.
hunting is all about “workmanlike” - the gear is used for work not for show.
Here’s a photo
Although it’s pony sized, not draft size.
As for the flat wide tack, it seems it would be more comfortable for the horse. Imagine having a narrow strap on a backpack over your shoulder for three hours verses one with wide straps. Wider distributes the pressure over a larger area = comfort. That happens with harness- narrow leather for the “fine show harness” verses the wider leather on my carriage harnesses for CDE’s- bigger job.
