Western bridle and fashion help

[keepthelegend]

I am looking for a western bridle and I have zero idea of brands or quality. Hoping for a soft, supple, nice quality leather bridle with a tiny bit of bling. This horse is rarely leaving my farm, but I tried going the super cheap route with my kids miniature and I can’t stand plasticky leather! So any recommendations for a brand that is best balance of quality and affordability?

On a side note, the new horse is a buckskin. I am terrible at fashion and matching so any suggestions on dark oil vs light oil and silver vs copper vs rhinestone (and what colors) “bling” would be very helpful!! Thank you!

[Mukluk]

Well you can’t go wrong with a Buckskin they are beautiful (your horse I mean). I know nothing about western bridles. Could be helpful if you mention what you do with your horse as a trail horse probably needs a different sort of bridle than a show horse (regarding ability of bridle to resist slipping off).

[paulaedwina]

I have a one-ear head stall and split reins from Kyle Tack. I essentially copied my trainer’s after Fella seemed to like hers. https://www.kyletack.com/products/productinformation/productid/3454

[Pocket_Pony]

http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s654/PrincessFishCheeks/Big%20Mac%20%202005%20BLM%20mustang/Maclookingatcow_zps9df3779d.jpg

I don’t know about bling, but this is my western bridle for my mustang, who is a dun…I got it from Frecker’s.

[keepthelegend]

Thanks so much for the replies. So is there any brand that is comparable to something like Bobby’s or the Wellfleet Smartpak line in English tack…not super elite, but still good quality?

[paulaedwina]

Kyle Tack. Good quality, handmade, and excellent customer relations.

Paula

[keepthelegend]

[QUOTE=paulaedwina;8411219]
Kyle Tack. Good quality, handmade, and excellent customer relations.

Paula[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

[keepthelegend]

What about Reinsman? They have a couple that I like, but not sure if the leather is any good. I really know zero about western brands!

[aktill]

Keep in mind that good western vegetable tanned leather isn’t necessarily going to be “soft and supple”. That’s a characteristic mainly of english chrome tanned leather. Even good, proper A grade english bridle takes quite a few years of conditioning to get there.

Modern tack companies have deluded uneducated customers into wanting soft leather by sandwiching crappy but soft leather each side of composite, since it has an “instant soft” appeal.

Not that good leather doesn’t feel loads better than crappy stuff, but just thought I’d mention it.

[beau159]

@keepthelegend;8410732

I am looking for a western bridle and I have zero idea of brands or quality. Hoping for a soft, supple, nice quality leather bridle with a tiny bit of bling. This horse is rarely leaving my farm, but I tried going the super cheap route with my kids miniature and I can’t stand plasticky leather! So any recommendations for a brand that is best balance of quality and affordability?

I have a couple Stacy Westfall headstalls (by Weaver leather) made with harness leather and I just love them. Nice soft leather. I have a “plain jane” one for every day use, but they do make them with some bling options.
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=66a85817-efbb-4a11-868d-0b9203d797ed

[DLee]

I like Kent Frecker’s work.

[Draftmare]

If you are looking for decent quality at an affordable price, I have been very happy with my Two Turn Equine bridle. They don’t take oil, so the color they are is what you are stuck with, but the leather and hardware is nice enough, and seems to hold up well.

[TheHorseMutterer]

I’ve had really good luck with my vintage Champion Turf headstall and have several Circle Y headstalls that have come and gone that I’ve liked. Price point isn’t too bad, especially if you can find a used one in good condition on eBay or the like. I find that the suppleness comes with age - so the gently used ones typically have that “out of the box” suppleness that I’m far too impatient to wait on.