Bridle
A bridle is equipment used to direct and control a horse. The bridle holds a bit which goes in the mouth of a horse, and has reins which are joined to the bit.
Bridles are usually made of leather. They are made of different parts which are buckled together. The headpiece, also called a crownpiece, goes behind the horse's ears. The browband is placed across the horse's forehead.[1] Sometimes, a strap called a martingale is attached to the noseband.[2]
A bridle without a bit uses a noseband to control a horse, and is called a hackamore, or a bitless bridle. Bitless bridles work by pressure and leverage on the horse's nose and chin groove. Bitless bridles can be useful for horses that have problems with their mouths. It is more difficult to turn a horse using a bitless bridle. Bitless bridles can provide tremendous leverage and stopping power.[3]
Bridle Media
- Arabian Side Saddle Class (2486184089).jpg
Photo By Heather Moreton-Abounader photos.modelhorseshowphotos.com
- English bridle particular.jpg
The crownpiece runs over the horse's poll, and the browband across the forehead. The cheekpieces run down the sides of the horse's face.
- Gray Warmblood.jpg
A double bridle, using two bits
- Barcoo bridle.JPG
Barcoo (or ringhead) bridle as used across Australia
- Aufziehtrense 2006.jpg
Aufziehtrense
- Dr Cook BB Western.JPG
Description: Western style bitless bridle *Source: The Bitless Bridle *Author: Dr. Robert Cook FRCVS, PhD Permission: Dr. Cook releases the image into the public domain. See the discussion page. Attribution is requested. Permission has been sent to the OTRS.
- Percherons attelés mondial du cheval percheron 2011Cl J Weber07 (23975328372).jpg
Pair of horses in matching harness bridles with Liverpool driving bits
- Horse in stables.jpg
If a horse must be tied to an object, a halter should be placed under or over the bridle, and the cross-ties should be attached to halter rings rather than the bit.
References
- ↑ "Become a horse noseband know-it-all" (in en). Expert how-to for English Riders. https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/tack--apparel/horse-nosebands-11817. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
- ↑ Ransford, Sandy. 2006. Horse & Pony Factfile: an essential guide to the world of horses and ponies. Kingfisher.
- ↑ Draper, Judith. 2004. The ultimate encyclopedia of horse breeds and horse care. Anness Publishing.
