I prefer leather to biothane( i have 30 yr. old biothane thats still perfect)
Does anyone trail ride with leather tack anymore?. I really want good quality leather as this horse is a keeper. He is hard to fit with big shoulders but very short backed 14’3" so that horse sized tack is to large and cobb a bit small. I looked at Bartonville catalogue but don’t know about the quality and you have to use cash or check.
Anyone here bought from Bartonville Harness? I think they also make nunn finer tack but the price is much less…
Anyway looking for lovely tack ,I have a black all purpose saddle but would consider dark brown bridle.
Most of the threads are about saving money but right now I want to buy what I like. No kids why save it?
Whats your dream tack?
I have a beautiful Passier bridle that I bought on sale, heavily discounted from Mary’s Tack. Keep checking the sales at all of the online tack shops. VTO saddlery sometimes has great prices. Adams Horse Supply also has good sales. My trail horse seems to enjoy looking nice!
I trail ride in leather tack. I use my Weaver work bridles for trail riding, they look good but it’s not fabulous leather.
I trail ride in a County Eventer saddle. I bought it as a demo, through my County saddle fitter. County makes good quality, comfortable, leather saddles that can be adjusted to fit hard to fit horses. My horse is a very wide Irish Draught. My daughter’s Irish Draught/Arabian is also a difficult fit. He has a County saddle.
It is actually Bartville Harness Shop. Their quality is very nice. I live close enough that I have been to the shop twice. You really need to know your measurements and not go by horse/cob/oversized for them. I am told the best time to get ahold of them is in the morning.
I have an arab cross that can be hard to fit his head. I have a Dover Circuit bridle in Cob but I had to buy the horse browband.
I also have a Cob sized HDR Mono Crown that fits my guy pretty well.
I have the Tory Leather Hunter breastplate in horse size.
I really prefer leather tack.
I’ve never wanted to use anything but leather. I assume you are looking for English tack- I have a Smith-Worthington flat bridle for hunting and one of their saddles that I’ve been very pleased with, good quality and reasonable prices. Looks like they have adjustable breastcollars, and a police breastcollar that looks interesting. With my saddle they were very helpful in working cross- country at ensuring it would fit correctly, via drawings and photos. I have a wide variety, English and western, it’s what happens when you have horses for 50 years- my favorite is a western headstall my uncle made for me, ironically all the cheap Japanese leather things from the 60s are still usable too.
I love the leather bridles & breastplate that Barefoot makes. It would match my saddle. But, I have too much stuff already! But, you might like it!
Thanks sonny Mom, I can’t find a web site for them. On some forum maybe old Chronicle thread they said Bartville makes the nun finer tack? Anyway wanted to try them because I’m told they will give you the sizes of each piece of the bridle. I have been trying for 6 months to find a bridle or breastplate to fit him. My ugly old western works but looks awful with the english saddle.
How do I reach them?
Also we do have a dover store nearby but they have very little inventory in breastplates just 2 and the leather is already cracked justs from being in the store.Very Poor quality on most of their stuff. I guess its the Costco of horse tack. Took back more than I keep as my old stuff is such better quality. The tolkat fleece saddle pad was a joke.I was thinking of buying a sheepskin pelt from Tandy leather and making a pad.
I have old brides from 1980’s that still look great/like new unfortunately they don’t fit my new horse. Its sad that the quality of almost everything is so poorly made now.
They are Amish so no website. Call first thing in the morning and ask for a catalog. 717-529-6992 They have a nice catalog they will mail you with everything they make and measurements. Once you have that it will help. You can also have them do custom so for me I could have them make me a Cob bridle with a horse noseband and a horse browband.
They do make most of the Nunn Finer strap goods. I find their stuff does run a little small.
I have 2 Mattes half pads that I love. One is a stock shimmable pad and the other is a custom one that is grey fleece with turquoise quilt and only a front roll. The quality on those is wonderful. They are pricey but worth it.
I used the Hunting Breast Plate model on our horses with the English saddles. I paid the extra, got the adjustable buckle models to allow better fit, not needing to put it on or take it off over his head. Buckles on both sides completely open so I can just put it on around his neck, no need to untie or unclip to put on over his head. Get your buckles up high enough there is no rubbing on the shoulders.
If the “average size” Hunting Breast Plates don’t fit nicely or you go custom sized, you might consider putting a couple of these together, using maybe a Large for the lower chest, Medium across his shoulders for a better fit.
I liked how the Hunting Breast Plate model held the saddle in place, would not allow saddle to fully slide sideways with a loose girth if the kids didn’t remember to check girths a second time. A little hanging to one side let them SAFELY get out of their mess with their nice horses cooperation. No kids down under the belly!! Kept the saddle in place for any powerful jumping in going forward, no slipping back at all.
Found this on FB recently, for if you want to go “over the top” with a very special breast collar model. Shown on a Western horse, but would work with English too if you liked it well enough. Personally, I would have the lettering changed to Victoria’s Secret! Then you can enjoy the many laughs that will produce!
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http://www.crestridgesaddlery.biz/terrain-collar-with-stamping-p/tackbcts.htm
I had Bartville custom-make a breastplate for me styled after my old favorite that had broken. They did an excellent job - it’s a little finer than their standard hunting breastplate, but still substantial enough that it would hold up to trail riding, etc. I describe it as being a very workman-like piece of tack (not as pretty as what you’ll find designed for the show ring), but it is very well-made, pretty in its own way, and high-quality. Tack snob friends with preferences for French leather and hunter princesses have liked it and complimented it.
I’ll see if I can find a picture for you.
Tricia at Age of Equus makes beautiful leather strap goods such as halters, headstalls, and breastplates. You can view some of her work on her Age of Equus FB page, and message her about your horse’s needs. She is located in the Greensboro area, and her tack is popular on the Renaissance Festival circuit - so if you want something unique, check her out!
I bought a gorgeous bridle with reins from her last year, and the leather she uses is the nicest, most supple quality leather I’ve ever seen! I paid $135, which wasn’t cheap but not incredibly overpriced either. Definitely worth every penny!:winkgrin:
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