hook studs versus buckle ends?

[jen-s]

Admittedly, I spent 20 years in the hunter world, so buckle ends were a novel thing when I started eventing. However, I still just don’t get them. It seems much easier to clean bridles with hook studs and if you take care of your tack, they aren’t hard to open. Is there something that I’m missing about buckle ends or am I just a hunter princess at heart?

(For the record, this post comes as I’m looking for a bridle for the “free” ride that I recently acquired. The “free” ride that I recently purchased a new-to-me saddle specifically for her. The “free” ride that I just got said saddle de-CAIRed and custom flocked just for her. The “free” ride that just got a pretty Pink Equine browband that I don’t have a spare non-fancy-stitched bridle to put it on so CLEARLY she needs her own bridle too. I’d hang my head in shame, but y’all are my peeps and I know that you get it!:lol:)

[Highflyer]

One of the books I read as a kid (Jimmy Wofford’s, maybe?) was really down on the hook studs and said buckles were more secure. I’ve had a lot of both over the years and have never had either come open. I think it comes down to personal preference. Of course I would have no issue putting a beaded browband in a fancy stitched bridle so maybe I’m a heathen?

[FLeventer]

I prefer hook studs honestly. I dont really like buckles. I also dont like the look of them sometimes. 99% of my bridles (I have about 60) are hook studs.

[Bogie]

I vastly prefer buckle ends. Much easier to change a bit with them.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=Bogie;8479966]
I vastly prefer buckle ends. Much easier to change a bit with them.[/QUOTE]

Me too.

[keysfins]

I’m a visitor here from dressage land. :uhoh:

I find that hook stud ends usually get glued into position, and become reeeeeally hard to undo if you’re doing a full bridle cleaning or changing reins/bits. If the hardware isn’t great quality, those studs tend to lay over if you’re trying to undo them. A bit of a PITA. Same sort of thing can happen with buckle ends, but you have more leverage to un-stick a sticky fitting.

In dressage land, I think it is a marketing gig. One of the most popular dressage bridles is the Vespucci double raised bridle, which came out probably close to 8 years ago or so. Last year they switched styles on the bridle from buckle end to hook stud end. So now hook stud ends are more “trendy”. Some argue that the hook studs make for a cleaner look, rather than the hardware of buckles on the cheek ends and rein ends.

In dressage land, it doesn’t make a difference for presentation.

[EventerAJ]

I much prefer buckle ends. As others said, I find them easier to use when leather is “less than ideally conditioned” and when coated in dried green froth. I’ve had more than one hook stud bend or come apart completely, and if one keeper bites the dust, it requires immediate repair to be safe. Buckles, on the other hand, are a more secure…and in some cases, you can punch more holes in that end to provide additional adjustment for a too-big or too-small head.

Hook studs were designed to give the appearance of a sewn-in bit, as the old-fashioned hunting tradition. I believe the old Corinthian or appointments class required sewn bit ends??

[Sempiternal]

Personally, I prefer the look of the hook studs. Now, with that being said, I go to town on all of my new tack, so even when it goes a while in between cleanings, I find it pretty easy to take reins on and off.

On the other hand, I wish the lady who owns the polo stable I help out at now and then would just get clips. On everything. Half the time she doesn’t think her tack needs to be cleaned and I absolutely hate trying to get everything disassembled. Even with buckles, taking apart dry, sweat caked leather tack is a PITA.

[Blugal]

I prefer hook studs, for the cleaner look. I also find them easier to undo than buckles a lot of the time.

But I can say with certainty I don’t like clips, as I had one break on me just last month while the little $h!t was bucking, so that was an unscheduled dismount :eek:

[jaybird660]

I have also been told that buckle ends are less likely to come undone and therefore, safer. I have done more repairs on the studs than buckle ends so I would tend to believe that the buckle ends are indeed more reliable.

[Madeline]

[QUOTE=jayb![](rd660;8480208]
I have also been told that buckle ends are less likely to come undone and therefore, safer. I have done more repairs on the studs than buckle ends so I would tend to believe that the buckle ends are indeed more reliable.[/QUOTE]

And then, there are loop ends… [IMG]https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Me7d754d6867dd1090b21478f05c5c904o0&w=300&h=214&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0)[IMG]https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M6c9eefca004a41c5308acf485ebc98e0o0&w=264&h=264&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0)

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8479949]
One of the books I read as a kid (Jimmy Wofford’s, maybe?) was really down on the hook studs and said buckles were more secure. I’ve had a lot of both over the years and have never had either come open. I think it comes down to personal preference. Of course I would have no issue putting a beaded browband in a fancy stitched bridle so maybe I’m a heathen?[/QUOTE]

Funny because the only time I have had a one come open and fail me by being disattached from the bit, it was buckle and that thing went FLYING! Smacked my guy in the face and the only reason I stayed on was because I just had happened to try a breastplate that day!

I like the look and feel of hook-stud better. They are easy to open if you oil/clean them but I can totally understand how they would be hellish for arthritic hands.

[fordtraktor]

I have some of those loop end reins and don’t love them, they don’t slide around the bit very easily and sometimes give a bit that ought not to have it a little lifting action if you know what I mean. And mine are very well conditioned, the are Arc de Triomphe and like butter so it isn’t that I’ve done anything wrong to make them that way. The loop gets very tight, though and sticks in place on the bit ring.

I don’t strongly care about ends, I tend to buy whatever is the best quality that I find on sale. I have a few bridles with each.

[jen-s]

Ah, but loop ends are on reins only. And I’m bridle shopping!

[purplnurpl]

I have hook for dressage. cause they create a cleaner look.
I have buckle for my jump stuff. Cause it’s safer… but that is on reins only.

But I also want the bridle to match the rein…
So the same applies for me when dealing with bridles and reins.

[Foxtrot_s]

I don’t know how it happened, but out hunting once at a check a horse rubbed its head against my horse’s head and the buckle put a little slit just above my horses eyebone. Easily fixed with a butterfly bandaid but I do like the studs for their cleaner look. They seem safe enough to me, unless the bridle was about twenty years od.

[Foxtrot_s]

Fleventer - you have about 60 bridles!!! Could that be called a fetish

[fordtraktor]

Yeah, I thought I was bad enough! I have at least 10.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8481115]
Yeah, I thought I was bad enough! I have at least 10.[/QUOTE]

ten is child’s play… :winkgrin: SO calls my trunk the “bridle store”.

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8481121]
ten is child’s play… :winkgrin: SO calls my trunk the “bridle store”.[/QUOTE]

I’m jealous! I have collected an obscene number of saddle pads and 54" girths. But, I’m seriously lacking in bridle selection.