Where do you buy western tack?

Meowy Catkin

Meowy Catkin

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I used to live near Denne Country Store, but of course I wasn't interested in western tack then. :rolleyes3: I have looked on their website but it's not set up for mail order. Are there any reliable western internet shops with a good range of products stocked? I'm particularly interested in a bridle with an ear loop rather then a browband for my tiny headed gelding.
 
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All my headstalls are slip ear ones. Western tack shops are in abundance over here. What's your budget? What grade of leather do you want? Length of reins etc? I can give you links to some stores here if you are interested.
 
I would want decent leather and a pretty plain design - I have seen some very highly decorated ones, but I'm really after a decent everyday bridle. Black leather would be fab. I didn't even know that I needed to decide what length reins I need, but I guess it's whatever is usual for a 15.2hh horse. He does have a small head and is in a pony bridle at the moment. As it's not a rush, I could save up for something special (and the cost of sending it to the UK).

ETA. Thanks DWC, I'll look at your links now.
 
Headstalls of quality are almost always sold separately from the reins. The reins are often more expensive than that headstall. Black headstalls are quite hard to find if you want quality though. Black ones I've seen are all the cheaper ones that are sold as job lots with reins, bit included.
 
Is it just a plain slip ear you are looking for? If so why not ask a saddler to make one for you? They're easy to make if you just want the one with the moveable ear piece. Those ones are just like a simple chifney strap with a half loop of leather to make the earpiece. If you want a fixed slip ear then that is made from the same piece of leather as the strap (cheek and headpiece) then split at the ear, then it would be more tricky to make but could still be done if the saddler had a pattern.
 
a one ear bridle can be flipped off quite easily as they generally don't have a throatlatch, you would probably be better off safety wise with a browband bridle.
 
A - no problem, ask away. :)

R - I'm wondering about getting the 'ear' bit made and using with a normal headstall with throat lash. I specifically want the one ear 'browband' because it would suit my ear shy horse. I have to dismantle his bridle to get it on and I always have no trouble getting one ear through, but the second ear can be awkward. Only needing to put one ear through would solve the problem.
 
All my headstalls that I ride in are slip ear ones (I do have some with browbands but they're hung up in my barn gathering dusk) however I have two different kinds; the fixed and the moveable ears. The moveable ear ones do not come with a throatlatch; that's the type I use on the horse I ride the most. The fixed ear headstalls have a throatlatch and I like those for the shape of some of my other guys. Does it have to be black? I haven't sent you any NA links as I haven't been able to find any good quality black ones.
 
No - I another colour would be fine, I only prefer black for aesthetic reasons. ;) He does have a small head - would this be a problem as he has a little S hackamore, not a bit, hence why he has the pony headstall (and full size browband) at the moment?
 
Re: the safety aspect of slip ear headstalls, like SF I have used them for years and I have never yet had a problem with them coming off. Having a saddler make up the same thing to your specfications would probably be your easiest bet and no less pricey than mail order.

All mine are Billy Cooks, just about as plain as you can get (they do have basket weave embossing, but it is not noticeable) I have never seen a plain black headstall. Mine come with two slip ears but I take one off, they also come with Chicago screws which I hate, I take those out too and replace with leather ties.

Did SF send you the Pleasant Ridge link Faracat? They do MO. But I am sure the English Western tackstores stock exactly the same sort of thing.

http://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/western-tack/headstalls/billy-cook.html

Crème de Menthe, I think that is the name, on here is a saddler, message him maybe.
 
Thanks SF - yes the Circle Y is what I had in mind and I like the chocolate colour. Do they come in one size only?

E - why do you prefer leather ties? I am wondering about getting one made as it seems I really only need the ear bit and I could use it with a sliphead or headstall.

Western tack is a whole new world to me. I've been seriously pondering about whether western riding would be a good route to take with my gelding who really does prefer being bitless. In my arab mags, they often have western classes at the bigger arab shows, so it would give me something to aim for with him.
 
You can buy Arabian headstalls over here. Arabs are seen frequently in western classes over here. Those headstalls are usually finer and slightly smaller than the QH ones. With the moveable slip ear you can just punch more holes in the headpiece though so size shouldn't be a problem. I also replace chicago screws with latigo ties as Chicago screws are terribly unsafe if not glued in place.
 
Spring Feather said:
Is it just a plain slip ear you are looking for? If so why not ask a saddler to make one for you? They're easy to make if you just want the one with the moveable ear piece. Those ones are just like a simple chifney strap with a half loop of leather to make the earpiece. If you want a fixed slip ear then that is made from the same piece of leather as the strap (cheek and headpiece) then split at the ear, then it would be more tricky to make but could still be done if the saddler had a pattern.
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Yes, easily done. The ear bit is really just a teeny tiny browband to go around one ear, fitted on a slip head.

You could probably order something "Araby" is you wanted, OP, with reasonable certainty it would fit. Western tack does come in sizes and shapes but most of the regular stuff is made for western type horses and the trick can be fitting it to non-traditional shaped horses. Luckily the Arab folk like their western riding and there is a lot of stuff made specifically for them.
 
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The only thing to bear in mind if you import from America is the Import Tax, Vat and handling charge by the Royal Mail. I have been hit with this each time I've ordered form the USA and I assume Canada would be the same?
 
Oh good, that's all very positive and I'll look out for the ties rather than screws if i go for a ready made bridle. :)

Phew, I hadn't had a silly idea. I'll be researching western saddles too in the future... better start saving now! ;)

ETA - thanks B, that's worth knowing.
 
Faracat said:
Phew, I hadn't had a silly idea. I'll be researching western saddles too in the future... better start saving now! ;)

ETA - thanks B, that's worth knowing.
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I love my Western Saddle and so does my horse! For longer hacks it is lovely and comfy. :) Getting spares and extras can be tricky though as a lot of the Uk Western Tack sites don't actually keep much stock in. Still it often works out cheaper to order through them because even though it initially looks more expensive, you won't get caught by all the extra costs.
 
You can still buy a headstall with Chicago screws (some of mine came with them). All you have to do is punch another hole and buy the latigo then you just tie it all together and ditch the Chicago screws. Good luck! Yes you may have to pay tax if coming in from North America although the package should be small so maybe it would slip through customs. Luck of the draw really.
 
Definitely replace Chicago screws with Latigo ties. Screws are evil when they come undone mid ride - OH can vouch for that one when his bridle came apart, thankfully in the arena not out on a ride !!. Always filled up the screw with clear nail varnish after that until the screws were replaced - just to be safer but not secure enough to change the screws out for ties in the long term.
 
debsandpets said:
Definitely replace Chicago screws with Latigo ties. Screws are evil when they come undone mid ride - OH can vouch for that one when his bridle came apart, thankfully in the arena not out on a ride !!. Always filled up the screw with clear nail varnish after that until the screws were replaced - just to be safer but not secure enough to change the screws out for ties in the long term.
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As above! I had a rein drop off mid ride. Luckily I'd taught my boy a one rein stop!
 
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