Girth Nameplate Attachment

[Equestrian24]

Has anyone here ever installed nameplates on their girths? If so, how did you punch holes, and what tools did you use? What kind of rivets did you use? Do you order nameplates specifically for girths (I’ve seen only one site advertise these), or have you used bridle/martingale plates? For those who have ordered Dover’s martingale plates, what is the difference between those and the bridle plates, and do they come with different/longer rivets?

I have both thin and thick girths, for what it is worth. I have a very thick Voltaire Hunter Girth, several of normal thickness and thin Crosby XL Excel and Jimmy’s girths. I think the thinner ones should be not much different from a bridle, but how do you punch a hole in a thicker girth, and did you need longer rivets?

When I’ve brought this subject up, I’ve had a couple of people express concern for the rivets rubbing the horse. If they are flat, they shouldn’t be a problem, right? I have two girths that have nameplates from a previous owner and use one frequently, and have never noticed any issues with it. The rivets are very flat, and if anything, slightly indented into the leather.

Has anyone ever removed a nameplate from anything as well, and how did you go about that?

Thank you in advance!

[Scribbler]

I get why name plates are fun and useful. But they also weaken whatever they are on. I thought about a name plate for my good Walsh halter but decided against it. I would be reluctant to put a metal name plate on a girth in case it rubbed the horse or the flaps. If you need ID in a big barn or horse shows where nice gear goes walkabout, honestly I would do something like use a wood burner in an inconspicuous place, maybe the underside.

I’ve seen second hand saddles where the name plate has been removed and it leaves ugly holes. Not a deal breaker for me if the price is low enough. It is however wierd to end up with gear that’s visibly marked with someone else’s name.

[touchstone]

I struggle with this too. I think girths are just too thick to apply nameplates without professional assistance and special rivets.

But, I have had good luck putting tiny bridle tags on the buckles with s-hooks. When I did it the first time, i worried it would be annoying under my leg. But it isn’t at all. I like these ones from haltertags.com.

[gallop_jump]

I would be afraid of a nameplate weakening such a key piece of equipment. I bought myself a branding iron on etsy with my monogram and tag my leather goods that way

[Scribbler]

That’s a brilliant idea. How do you heat it?

[gallop_jump]

My husband is a woodworker - it’s just a plug in branding iron he uses for putting his logo on things. I was able to order my own custom brass head on etsy, and it just screws on/ off of the iron!

[touchstone]

Can you send a link to a branding iron that would work? I’ve sort of wanted one for years, but I never know what the right spec are.

[gallop_jump]

Custom Electric Wood Branding Iron With Custom Stamp 150w | Etsy

He said something like this would work fine for leather - anything that can get hot enough to brand wood would brand leather.