Which style headstall looks better?

[csaper58]

I think you need to consider how the bridles fit. I would want shorter cheek pieces and a longer crown piece.

Both the bridles you have on the original post put the square cornered buckle in a scary place beside the horse’s eye.

If you can’t do better fit wise, look for a bridle with rounded buckles.

The curb strap on a snaffle is called a bit hobble here. It is essential if there is no throat latch.

It stops the bit from being pulled thru the mouth. The hobble should be snug enough to keep the bridle on the horse’s head if the horse dislodges it (I saw a horse vigorously shaking it’s head because of flies can do this).

A one ear set up is for the show ring, and showing off a lovely cheek/throat latch.

Never use it for trail riding, or schooling a horse that is not completely obedient.

I agree with the posts that say a snaffle bit really should have a headstall with a brow band and throat latch

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=bugsynskeeter;8937325]
I use one, but I have a curb strap on my snaffle also.

Thinner looks better. The thicker one makes her head look clunky.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Fillabeana;8937348]Another vote for Neither.

In my opinion, a snaffle bit needs a browband headstall.

When you advance to a curb bit, a one ear type headstall is appropriate. When you use a leverage (curb) bit, engaging the curb action also rotates the bit purchase forward, effectively making the headstall tighter and therefore secure.

When you engage one or both reins on a snaffle bit, the bit rings (and cannons of the bit) move up the bars, more towards the horse’s cheeks, making the poll strap effectively looser. A browband and throatlatch will keep the headstall stable and secure for a snaffle bit.

That said, if there is nothing in your association rules prohibiting the one ear headstall…it’s your own choice.[/QUOTE]

A curb on your snaffle may keep the bit from being pulled through the mouth (I also use one on my snaffles) but it will do nothing to help keep the headstall on the head as outlined by Fillabeana’s post.

Snaffle = browband with throatlatch style headstall

Leverage bit = 1 ear, 2 ear, or browband style is appropriate.

You can of course use a 1 or 2 ear with a snaffle, I just wouldn’t suggest it for the reasons outlined in Fillabeana’s post.

So that being said, since your original question wasn’t what I just posted, of the photos you posted, I prefer the thinner one.

[JJA]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8938146]
I have yet to find a western headstall with a browband or a throatlatch to fit her. She isn’t draft sized, she is warmblood sized, and warmblood sized headstalls don’t seem to be a thing. That is why I went with one ear and sliding ear headstalls. Plus, I don’t like the look of most browband headstalls on her, I feel like a browband has to be either a dutch drop, or just the right style and thickness to not make her forehead look super wide. We primarily arena ride, and I haven’t run into any situation where her headstall has been at risk of coming off. We only trail ride maybe once a year right now.

Here is the saddle I am trying to match: https://goo.gl/photos/xESwVy6X1znKwF549

Oh, and we show western dressage. I will ask my instructor about a curb strap. We have no plans to move to a curb bit. What purpose does it serve? Even before switching to western dressage I frequently rode her without a noseband without issue. She has never been a fan of having much of anything on her face. At least once a week I get to play “where did you lose your fly mask and halter this time around?!” in the pasutre.[/QUOTE]

Since you mentioned a dutch drop- what about a knotted browband? That has the similar V shape- something like this (not sure about sizes for this particular one but the knotted browband is a fairly common style with other brands): http://shop.schutzbrothers.com/p/spotted-stainless-rowel-swell-cheek-futurity-knot-painted-burgundy-headstall?pp=24

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8938146]
I have yet to find a western headstall with a browband or a throatlatch to fit her. [/QUOTE]

If you do want one, look at mule headstalls. They have longer browbands and throatlatches than horse size bridles.

[froglander]

I kind of like the thicker one–the thinner one makes her face look really long.

Have you ever looked at Buckaroo Leather as a place to order a bridle from? There is a guy you can contact on Facebook and he can help you figure out sizes. A couple years ago I ordered a sidepull and a breastcollar from them but did it all through that guy (“Buckaroo John”) and was able to specify sizing and everything.

The leather (of the things I got) is nice and soft but sturdy as well

[froglander]

A few random ones that caught my eye…

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/a-retro-headstall-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/a-vintage-3-scallop-browband-bridle-set-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/cowboy-dressage-bridle-custom-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/cowboy-scalloped-oak-acorn-browband-headstall-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/harness-headstall-w-braiding-lh2781x-detail

(I had to stop myself)

Also, they seem to come in sizes “Regular Horse”, “Large Horse/Mule”, “Draft” so you might find your not quite a draft head size

[Fillabeana]

Ooooh, the Buckaroo Leather headstalls are pretty…

Any quality saddlemaker should be able to make a headstall to fit Sydney.

You could call Freckers Saddlery, they would likely be able to make one that suits you and fits the horse.

I had a 17.1 hand, half TB cowpony for a while, he was definitely oversized. I used an English, plain raised headstall (warmblood/oversized) , non custom to make his bridle. Nobody ever noticed… so you could likely get a nice warmblood/oversized flat hunt bridle, without the caveson and reins, for Sydney without too much trouble.

[Pocket_Pony]

I got Mac’s headstall from Frecker’s. Mac has
a big head. Everything is a good fit but the throat latch barely fits and I did have to punch another hole in it to make it fit better. I’m sure they could just make a longer throat latch.

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

[Pocket_Pony]

Oh, and I think the thicker bridle makes her head look clunky.

[csaper58]

Does anyone know, are the futurity knot brow bands adjustable or is the knot usually fixed? Found a close up photo, looks like they are not adjustable.

[Palm_Beach]

What about a bridle with 2 ear loops instead of a browband?

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=csaper58;8939602]
Does anyone know, are the futurity knot brow bands adjustable or is the knot usually fixed? Found a close up photo, looks like they are not.[/QUOTE]

I have one of those and mine is not adjustable.
It looks very good on any head it has been used.
Mine is plain medium dark leather and the straight side pieces, not the ones with the fancy cuts and silver.
It blends in with the horse’s head, doesn’t stand out.

For the V shaped browband, there are plenty of those, some very fancy:

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/tory-silver-san-diego-v-browband-headstall/E000125/

I have seen those more in arabian and morgan and such shows, but they seem to be more out there any more.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8939637]
What about a bridle with 2 ear loops instead of a browband?[/QUOTE]

Two loops is actually what I am thinking I may do this time around.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Fillabeana;8939544]
Ooooh, the Buckaroo Leather headstalls are pretty…

Any quality saddlemaker should be able to make a headstall to fit Sydney.

You could call Freckers Saddlery, they would likely be able to make one that suits you and fits the horse.

I had a 17.1 hand, half TB cowpony for a while, he was definitely oversized. I used an English, plain raised headstall (warmblood/oversized) , non custom to make his bridle. Nobody ever noticed… so you could likely get a nice warmblood/oversized flat hunt bridle, without the caveson and reins, for Sydney without too much trouble.[/QUOTE]

I wonder if anybody would notice if I used a bridle like this: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjw_IWd86_QAhUI0YMKHY4yA6AQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saddleexchange.com%2Fcatalogue%2Fleatherwork%2Fcomfort-show-hunter-bridle%2F&psig=AFQjCNFLP7gDgkO5GRkcb7v7wf0B5sqL6A&ust=1479475823175528

To add to the “confusion” my new instructor thinks that I should start using a cavesson for training. I ordered a Tory leather cavesson from RW, and it didn’t even come close to fitting her. Not sure if I will persue getting a different one or not.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=froglander;8939484]
A few random ones that caught my eye…

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/a-retro-headstall-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/a-vintage-3-scallop-browband-bridle-set-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/cowboy-dressage-bridle-custom-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/cowboy-scalloped-oak-acorn-browband-headstall-detail

http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/harness-headstall-w-braiding-lh2781x-detail

(I had to stop myself)

Also, they seem to come in sizes “Regular Horse”, “Large Horse/Mule”, “Draft” so you might find your not quite a draft head size :)[/QUOTE]

They have several that I like, I just wish that most of them weren’t over $100. The maker that I got my current headstalls from does similar work. The ones I have now were under $50 a piece. That is about what I was hoping to spend again as I would love to get a dark oil headstall for schooling too.

But, I do really like this one: http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/buckaroo-shapear-headstalls-detail

And this one: http://www.buckarooleather.com/shop/headstalls-sidepulls/leather-headstalls/pro-harness-old-visalia-style-slidears-detail

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8938146]

Oh, and we show western dressage. I will ask my instructor about a curb strap. We have no plans to move to a curb bit. What purpose does it serve? [/QUOTE]

You don’t have to have a curb strap on a snaffle bit, but I usually do (moreso because I just always have). The purpose is to prevent the snaffle bit from pulling through the horse’s mouth. IMO, you should never pull so hard as to do that to your horse.

I personally prefer browband headstalls for the safety reasons mentioned. It is easy for a horse to rub their head on something and that one-ear just slips off. Or if you are having to school them a bit in a snaffle, it can actually “pop” the top of the headstall high enough for it to fall off the head, or slide back where you don’t want it.

Just some things to think about.

I have a one-eared headstall WITH a throatlatch that I found one time.
Hard to see with Red’s winter fuzzies but this is what it looks like:
left side
right side with the one ear

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=beau159;8940099]
You don’t have to have a curb strap on a snaffle bit, but I usually do (moreso because I just always have). The purpose is to prevent the snaffle bit from pulling through the horse’s mouth. IMO, you should never pull so hard as to do that to your horse.

I personally prefer browband headstalls for the safety reasons mentioned. It is easy for a horse to rub their head on something and that one-ear just slips off. Or if you are having to school them a bit in a snaffle, it can actually “pop” the top of the headstall high enough for it to fall off the head, or slide back where you don’t want it.

Just some things to think about.

I have a one-eared headstall WITH a throatlatch that I found one time.
Hard to see with Red’s winter fuzzies but this is what it looks like:
left side
right side with the one ear[/QUOTE]

I have only had that happen once, many years ago on a lesson horse I was riding. I don’t even remember what the circumstances were that lead to her getting the bit through her mouth.

I am looking at browband headstalls, just haven’t found anything yet that makes me pause and think that it will look amazing on her. Again, her face already being wide + her big blaze, and I feel like most browbands just make her look even blockier/wider.

[csaper58]

www.coloradosaddlery.net has large horse/mule, and draft headstalls. Contact them for more info, or look thru the web site.

They also sell an XL Throat latch, and brow band seperatly

Their prices are reasonable

[Draftmare]

I had forgotten that I had this headstall when I first started into western dressage. The throatlatch on it just barely fit, but the rest of it fit nicely.

I sold it when I got my light colored training saddle, but I could find it again.

https://goo.gl/photos/SWvmSRpSWPyxQLMt9
https://goo.gl/photos/K5PihjGMc6hFeFnM6
https://goo.gl/photos/p2PZPD55r2CkiRti9

Still not a fan of browbands, but I don’t think that one is too terrible…

The only downside is that it won’t take oil or darken. It is the color that it is.

My saddle again: https://goo.gl/photos/7izBxE5rvR5VgCqz6

[RPM]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8939778]
I wonder if anybody would notice if I used a bridle like this: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjw_IWd86_QAhUI0YMKHY4yA6AQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saddleexchange.com%2Fcatalogue%2Fleatherwork%2Fcomfort-show-hunter-bridle%2F&psig=AFQjCNFLP7gDgkO5GRkcb7v7wf0B5sqL6A&ust=1479475823175528

To add to the “confusion” my new instructor thinks that I should start using a cavesson for training. I ordered a Tory leather cavesson from RW, and it didn’t even come close to fitting her. Not sure if I will persue getting a different one or not.[/QUOTE]

Makes no sense IMO to use something for training and then change for showing. Lots of race horses used to wear snaffle bridles without cavessons.