So I decided to get a second, nicely made, but simple working headstall. Easier said than done.
I notice that there isn’t a size option like there is for English. Wazzup with that?
And, that buckle ends are not easy to find. I don’t like any screws, but was looking for something other than tie ends for the bit.
Any recommendations?
I’ve got a headstall from SmartPak and a mule headstall from Tucker that have buckle ends.
Tucker makes a western-ish headstall that comes in regular and large horse size and has buckle ends.
@NoSuchPerson , I ordered the Smartpak bridle and it was too small, but otherwise that would have fit the bill!
@Miss Motivation I like the Rod’s link! Maybe better than a buckle. It is not that I change my bits, but I think the extra width seems to balance his larger jaw/cheek.
Thanks for the leads, I will check those vendors out.
Buckarooleather.com looks like it has what I want. They are considered “work head stalls.” Found it by the comment on SchultzBro website about “old-timey” style. And I think I like the bulky look of buckle ends…although I liked the tabs better… just not sure about sizing.
Are western headstall “horse” size the same as English “horse” size?
His measurements are:
Bit to Bit: 43 in
Throat latch: 42 in
Browband: 18 in
Near as I can tell, those fall into the “horse” category, but throat latches have been tight on the head stalls I have borrowed.
If the head stall fits, but the throat latch is too small, you can replace it with a longer one. They can be ordered, bought separately.
@pasolover2, I recently saw that, and might order one for my current headstall. I am on the last hole and not much clearance…
I know someone who got a noseband from Buckaroo Leather. He needed a large one for a big mule. He was very happy with it other than grousing about the cost.
In my experience, there is more variation in “horse” size in western tack than in English tack. And I think western bridles often run smaller. However, mule bridles and bridles produced by companies that service the gaited horse market tend to be larger.
Given the measurements you have provided, you might look at mule bridles. An 18 inch browband is a bit longer than you typically find in a horse bridle, but more the norm for a mule bridle. The mule-size headstall I have has an 18 inch browband.
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