Removing the flash keeper from a bridle

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Just scored on two (one for my granddaughter who is taking lesson/leasing) older Stubben bridles (okay, $40 each, little brag).

However one has a keeper for a flash and I want to remove it. The only way I can see to do it is to carefully cut it out. Any other ideas?

Pic with my stick kitty (hospice foster that was to be a few months, going on over 2 years).

Thanks!

[CBoylen]

Box cutter.

[GreyDes]

I’ve done flash loop surgery multiple times with an Exacto knife. Do it carefully and you can’t tell it was ever there. I find a box cutter a little too clunky for the small loop, although that well could be user error

If it’s an expensive or unreplaceable bridle (or you want it to look perfect) then pay a leather worker to unstitch and remove the loop.

[LCDR]

If it were mine, I’d just cut that loop off cleanly as close as I could get to the nose band.

[Lusoluv]

I have a hobby/kraft knife. It’s basically a box cutter, but narrower with a thinner handle that’s easier to hold. Google it and bigger hobby shops or hardware stores carry it. Just go slow so you don’t cut through and noseband padding. Beautiful bridle, by the way!

[Balaton21]

I’d slide a bit of cardstock or an old plastic card between the loop and the padding before slicing it off from the top, to protect the padding from any scratches/slices that could wind up peeling.

[Bristol_Bay]

That’s a 90’e era bridle. I had a plainer one in that same lustrous deep color. I will always regret letting it go with the horse I bought it for when I sold her. They truly don’t make them like that anymore!

[2DogsFarm]

Agree with @GreyDes:
If you want Perfect, any place that can stitch leather should be able to open the seam, remove the loop & restitch.
My choice would be a harnessmaker over, say, a shoe repair place.

Droolworthy bridle

Looks like your “hospice” cat isn’t going anywhere soon

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Here is the other one that I am letting my granddaughter use. She is leasing a horse at a stable and had to supply tack. It was hard for me to choose which one I want, but I think this is a better match for her. I am just using mine for trail riding.

Also got her a Crosby saddle for $125 on Ebay. She’s got nice tack now, albeit a bit dated. Can’t find this quality anymore, and she doesn’t care that it’s a bit out of style