Why is it so difficult to find ...

[Bruce17]

An English leather headcollar with proper brass fittings. In full size, brown. Arrrrgh!

Why is every shop full of tacky nylon junk these days?!?

Please recommend me some nice traditional tack shops, if there are any left? Or even just the aforementioned headcollar, if not?

Thanks ?

 

[neddy man]

www.shiresequestrian.com have a choice of 5.

 

[scrat]

For good old fashioned quality https://www.calcuttandsons.co.uk/products/headcollars-and-ropes/leather-headcollar/275/

 

[Keith_Beef]

Do you really want English stop squares, like the ones shown below?

 

[Red-1]

For good old fashioned quality https://www.calcuttandsons.co.uk/products/headcollars-and-ropes/leather-headcollar/275/

These are the ones I like. Nice and plain but top quality.

 

[ihatework]

Try old mill saddlery, they seem to have a nice variety.

I’ve just bought both my girls these but they have other styles too:

https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/Mob...Headcollar/m-m-46067.aspx?CustomiseModel=True

 

[Baywonder]

Fylde Saddlery have English leather headcollars with brass fittings - you could give them a call.

 

[rabatsa]

The ones that you see at shows https://brasstacksonline.co.uk/headcollars/

 

[jnb]

I have a Salamo one, very nice quality - Oak is brown, with Brass fittings - £30 and super soft quality leather.

https://www.salamo.co.uk/?product=salamo-deluxe-leather-headcollar

 

[vam]

English bridles, lovely leather and good price

https://www.englishbridles.co.uk/headcollars

 

[Skib]

I bought Shires a year ago, dismantled it and oiled it as per instructions. But Covid has kept me from the yard so I havent seen how it is doing. Taking it to the yard was the last time we left home.

 

[oldie48]

My lovely but rather ancient leather headcollar broke recently whilst I was bathing Rose leaving me on my own and stuck with a loose wringing wet horse. I've replaced it with a Le Mieux soft padded head collar in a deep raspberry and black and am rather won over!

 

[Pippity]

I have a Shires one for travelling, because I wanted one that buckled over the top of the nose to make it easier to tack up while out and about. Quality is average, but a good dose of Oz's leather conditioner definitely improved it.

 

[DirectorFury]

I bought Shires a year ago, dismantled it and oiled it as per instructions. But Covid has kept me from the yard so I havent seen how it is doing. Taking it to the yard was the last time we left home.

My Shires one was worn all summer 2 years ago, lost in the field at the tail end of the summer, and found again in a mud puddle about 2 months ago. Mud was hosed off and it looks absolutely fine . The quality is great for the price.

 

[sarahmac77]

An English leather headcollar with proper brass fittings. In full size, brown. Arrrrgh!

Why is every shop full of tacky nylon junk these days?!?

Please recommend me some nice traditional tack shops, if there are any left? Or even just the aforementioned headcollar, if not?

Thanks ?

Bought a lovely one second hand (everything decent I buy is second hand it seems!)... Facebook Marketplace and EBay are your friends. Or there are some good hunting vintage places with quality gear...

 

[Birker2020]

I always use leather, absolutely loathe and detest nylon as I think they are very dangerous. I always get a good deal on leather headcollars on ebay. When turned out our headcollars are left out all day/overnight so is exposed to wind, rain, snow, ice and everything in between but it still looks good and works fine. I get through probably one every 8 months.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heritage...690137?hash=item263472b5d9:g:5qYAAOSw-~teTS7a

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEATHER-HEAD-COLLAR-FULLY-RAISED-PADDED-BROWN-COLOR-FULL-COB-AN-PONY-SIZE/223346551825?|cksum:2233465518253c7a544cad8744d6b7ce325aeb0d01a3|ampidL_CLK|clp:2334524

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEATHER-PADDED-HEAD-COLLAR-BLACK-WHITE-IN-BRASS-FITTING-BLACK-BROWN-COLOR/114671251242?

 

[dreamcometrue]

Gibsons saddlers do beautiful leather head collars https://www.gibsonsaddlers.com/category/horses/head-collars/leather-collars/

 

[Meowy Catkin]

This Calcutt one is lovely. Adjustable throat lash, buckle on the nose and no clip fastenings anywhere. It's going on my Xmas list.

 

[caileag]

My lovely leather head collar got eaten by another livery so back to nylon for me.

 

[Birker2020]

My lovely leather head collar got eaten by another livery so back to nylon for me.

Noooo! Please don't use nylon. It's a known fact you can tow a car with a nylon headcollar, if that was your horses leg it would stand no chance. Please use leather. It breaks.

 

[AFB]

I have a shires one, about 6/7 years old and cleans up almost as new (minus the scratch on the noseband from scratching on a brick wall!). It's not looked after and used every day.

I did have another Shires before that which got caught on the skirt of a hired horsebox and broke - did exactly what I wanted it to do and horse was unscathed. Always use leather.

 

[HBB]

I can highly recommend Fylde leather headcollars.

https://www.fyldesaddleryltd.com/index.php/headcollars/show_all/?k=:22:309724::0

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’ve got these for all 3 with engraved brass name plates on. The headcollars survive living hanging outside the stables all year round.

https://www.richardson-designs.com/product/quality-english-leather-headcollars/

 

[wispagold]

I love mine. I think it is a Jeffries one. It was a Christmas present from my mum. It is used for traveling rather than day to day use.

 

[Steerpike]

I'm still looking for a London Tan leather head collar!!

 

[Keith_Beef]

I love mine. I think it is a Jeffries one. It was a Christmas present from my mum. It is used for traveling rather than day to day use.

View attachment 66625

I've saved that picture as an example of a nice headcollar for when I next make one.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I'm still looking for a London Tan leather head collar!!

J & FJ Baker sells oak tanned bridle shoulders and butts in what is described as "London colour"; might that do you?
https://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/equestrian-leather

 

[Auslander]

I'm still looking for a London Tan leather head collar!!

Have a look at the John Whittaker Valencia headcollars

 

[silv]

I have a Le Mieux one, it’s beautiful soft leather and was very reasonably priced. Only gets worn at shows too good for every day use.

 

[oldie48]

Noooo! Please don't use nylon. It's a known fact you can tow a car with a nylon headcollar, if that was your horses leg it would stand no chance. Please use leather. It breaks.

Not if it's a field safe one.