I would do both, train and buy a halter bridle. My horse has never tried to go any where when I put his bridle on, but I still use a halter bridle. Things happen, even with the best training and the quietest horse, so I really like having the security that I never have to take off the halter.
I just don’t care for the ones that attach the bit to the cheek straps. I have the add-on headstall.
I think most problems stem from a lack of respect from the horse to the rider.
I do some endurance, and know how they get amped up, BUT my horse still knows NOT to get in my space. He may call out or pace if standing alone, but if I am there tacking him up, he still behaves.
I can just tell that he would much rather be ready and going, NOW!
As far as just trail riding off site, I think if you get the basis for respect by doing groundwork and not letting your horse be on top of you as a habit. You will have put down a foundation that will carry thru for regular trail rides.
So, I agree, spend some time training your horse, and you will see the benefits next time you go somewhere to trailride.
As others have said, if I have a really squirrelly one I will bridle it in the trailer before unloading.
I also have have thin rope halters that fit nicely under the bridle; so often I will just bridle over top of the rope halter. This is something I do a lot with green horses. They are called “pocket” halters and are pretty cheap; or look on ebay for some of the thinner, less expensive rope halters. These all work well under the bridle.
[QUOTE=5chestnuts;6107929]
Also would not trailer in just the halter/bridle combos - if horse breaks it you have nothing.[/QUOTE]
I always have extra halters/lead ropes in the trailer, so if something happened there’s always a back-up. If I trailer in just a halter and it breaks, I’m in the same situation. Always carry an extra halter, or two.
My pony is good about being bridled, but I do like the “better safe than sorry” approach.
I put my lead rope in a loop over my gelding’s neck, take his halter off and then tie his halter on his neck so I have something to grab IF he tried to walk off. I have never had a problem with Biscuit doing that but hey, he is a horse!
I used to just put his bridle on over his halter but am not crazy about the way it looks. I recently purchased a Taylored Tack biothane halter/bridle to use for training/riding in Limited Distance rides. My riding buddy/barn manager got one at the same time. While we aren’t crazy about the looks of a halter/bridle, after a weekend camping trip with the horses we are SOLD on the function of them.
I do not generally use it to haul my horse with but I don’t have issues with him trying to run off either. If I did, he would leave the barn with his biothane halter/bridle on with out the bit piece. Form following function is a great thing!
I have one of those “free head horse collars” which does come in handy if I’m going to be bridleing/unbridling at the trailhead or even for long breaks on the trail. I often bring it along on the trail so that, if we stop at a “break area” with tie poles or a hitching rail, I have the option of putting the headcollar on and take the bridle off entirely to give the horse a chance to scratch or rub his head without worrying about him rubbing and breaking my bridle.
At the same time, as others have already said, it’s a training issue. I expect my horse(s) to stand quietly while I’m getting ready for the ride.
[QUOTE=AlfalfaGirl;6108526]
I recently purchased a Taylored Tack biothane halter/bridle to use for training/riding in Limited Distance rides. My riding buddy/barn manager got one at the same time. While we aren’t crazy about the looks of a halter/bridle, after a weekend camping trip with the horses we are SOLD on the function of them. [/QUOTE]
I thought mine was funny-looking too at first, but now I really like the look of it! And it’s so convenient! I have Taylored Tack too – pic in my profile.
I use a rope halter for trailering if I’m going some place exciting. My horses ground tie at home and are easy to bridle when tied in a quiet place but I’d rather not take the risk of a loose horse assuming my training will hold. I leave the rope halter on under the bridle.
I use a nylon webbing halter at home, but a lightweight rope halter for trail rides. That way I can easily put the bridle on at the trail head, take it off for long breaks, and take it off at the end of the ride. I bought a rope halter that matches the color of my horse so that it doesn’t look so obvious.
I use this one.
http://www.doublediamondhalters.com/Halters/125_Series_Halters.htm
Excellant suggestions here. I am lucky that current horse is very been there/done that and really doesn’t get wound up at new locations. I’m sure that if I get a new horse I will have to try some of these suggestions in the future.
I use a halter bridle. It works great for the type of riding I do. I trailer and tie with the halter part, add bit and ride. Easy and no loose horses to worry about. Before I got the halter bridle I would often use a rope halter under the bridle. I’ve never had a problem with my horse getting away from me, not even any close calls but I’ve had friends who have. An ounce of prevention…and all that… 
How about using a tying up collar? Like this:
http://www.horseproblems.com.au/Saddlery%20Sales%20Page/Neck%20Strap%20Protector.htm
ditto the training. Train your horse to stand, and to come when called. And if you don’t understand the concept of “proofing” training, such that it is reliable even under difficult/ different situations, look it up.
Like Guilherme said, beyond the training…
When you go to put the bridle on, slip the halter over their nose and rebuckle it up around their neck so they’re never not actually tied. I even do this at home most times (with my very laid back horse who probably won’t go anywhere even if I totally let him go, stepped away to get the bridle, and came back) just because it feels safer because the horse never gets that moment of feeling like you’ve set them loose. Then once you get the bridle on, unbuckle the halter from around their neck and you’re ready to go.
If the halter is loose enough, unhook the throat latch, slide the bridle over the nose but under the nose band, put bit in mouth, place over ears. Bridle is now under halter but on horse. Remove halter.
Try it at home first so make sure you are comfortable with it.
Old trainer used to do that babies at their first in-hand shows.
I used to put my bridle on my horse in the trailer at hunt meets and unload with the bridle on. I prefer to not trailer with a bridle on.
Now I can unload while he is still in the halter. I do bridle with the halter crown around the neck- just remember to remove before hooking a standing martingale.
Time and training will help in the long run but just putting the bridle on under the halter will work in the meantime.
[QUOTE=DeeThbd;6107934]
Within the past week or so there was a link to a halter that can be assembled and disassembled with the bridle on - I think it was in the Off Course forum. Looked like good quality leather for around $80 - which is what a decent leather halter costs anyway.
Hope that helps!
Dee[/QUOTE]
Like this one?: https://www.kudastore.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=315&zenid=uge0c0qfq87l3r85ikftv85os2
This is traditional Paso Fino tack. The coiled-up leadline at the top is called a ‘pisador’ and is actually part of the bridle (while riding the excess is tied to the left side of the saddle). The bit hanger and attached bit can be removed without touching the bridle itself to allow a horse to graze. Not sure if I’d tie a true crazy to a trailer with one of these, but the bridle/pisador can be used for lunging and is pretty sturdy. On some of them you can swap out nosebands for something heavier and use it more like a hackamore, i.e. ride without a bit altogether. Reins are usually snap-type rope reins. Practical and simple.
Here’s how it looks without the bit-hanger: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vRGMyW6Cxtg/TC52g4dO6lI/AAAAAAAAAZI/2wh4ahBLcUU/s1600/jaquima.jpg
BigHorseLittleHorse - we are getting to like it more and more. I looked at yours - NICE!!! We are going on our first Limited Distance ride this weekend so will be in use this weekend too.
I have a brand new leather bridle that matches the saddle but geez…this biothane is wonderful!
Thank you all for the suggestions! Horse is impeccably mannered in her bridling at home; she is simply testing me at the trailhead just for fun (she would be horrified if she actually did escape and found herself – egads – alone in unfamiliar territory). She knows exactly what she is doing, and I know that she knows, and she knows that I know that she knows, etc. We will plan so there is time to be willing to stand around at the trailhead and train with proper patience and consistency, and also we will go with some of your halter ideas, which sound great.
Try an Australian pattern halter that has a buckle on the noseband as well as the headpiece (I believe they are popular with driving people). That way you can unbuckle the nose piece to put on the bridle without the horse ever being completely loose. Simple!
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