How do you put on a western horse bridle?

Putting on a western horse bridle is no different than putting on any other style of bridle. There are a few things you need to know before you attempt to put on a Western bridle, however. First, many western bridles do not use a bit as they do in other styles. Instead, they use a "headstall." A horse bit is what gives you control over your horse's head and therefore your direction of travel. A bridle with a headstall attached instead controls your horse through pressure points on the head. The bridle's reins (which are attached to the bit) and the headstall are connected so that when your horse moves his head in one direction, the bit moves in the opposite direction. This is true even if the bridle has a bit on it. If you have a horse with a mouth that is too big for a standard sized bit, you can use a curb bit with a long shank attached to the bridle with a ring-shank or ring-shanked snaffle headstall so that your horse has a chance to open his mouth and get his teeth around the curb bit as often as possible, even when he's in a bridle with a shank on it. A ring-shanked bit is not appropriate for a horse with a mouth that is too big for a standard-sized bit.

Step 1 - Find the right headstall.

When purchasing a Western bridle, you'll want to make sure it has a headstall and not a bit. There are several types of headstalls, but the two most common types are ring-shanked and roller-shanked. You should also make sure that the bridle is sized properly for your horse. You can find the size chart for most Western bridles at the end of this article.

Step 2 - Attach the headstall to the bridle.

Once you've found the right bridle, you'll need to attach the headstall to the bridle. You'll want to make sure that you're connecting the headstall to the bridle's shanks instead of the bit, otherwise you'll have to remove the headstall completely to put the bit in.

Step 3 - Attach the reins to the headstall.

Now that you've attached the headstall to the bridle, you'll need to attach the reins. You can use a left-handed or right-handed knot and connect the reins to the ring-shanked headstall, or you can use a Western-style curb chain instead. If you use a ring-shanked headstall, the ring on the end of the chain should be attached to the ring on the headstall with a knot; if you use a chain, you'll attach the ring at the opposite end of the chain to the ring on the headstall.

Step 4 - Put on a padlock and key.

Before you ride your horse, you'll want to attach a padlock to the headstall to keep it closed during travel. You'll be able to find padlocks designed specifically for horse headstalls, or you can use a combination lock.

Step 5 - Attach the lead rope to the bridle.

Before you ride your horse, you'll want to retie the lead rope to the bridle, just in case you lose one of the knots. Make sure that you use a slip knot on the end of the lead rope, and loop the other end of the lead rope around the bit and through the ring on the bridle's headstall.

Step 6 - Attach the breast collar.

Before you ride your horse, you'll want to attach a breast collar to the bridle. There are several types of breast collars available, but the two most common types are the side-pull and the roller breast collar. Make sure that you select the right breast collar for the type of work your horse does.

Step 7 - Put on a blind bridle and headstall.

If you're riding in a dressage class, you may need to put on a blind bridle. A blind bridle is a special type of bridle that has a blind nose ring to prevent your horse from seeing the bit. To put on a blind bridle, you'll first need to attach the blind ring to the ring on the bridle's headstall. Use a ring-shanked headstall if it's appropriate for your horse's size; use a ring-shanked bit if your horse has a mouth that's too big for a ring-shanked headstall.

Step 8 - Secure the bridle with a headstall and a cinch.

To complete your bridle, you'll need to secure it with a headstall, a cinch, and a martingale. If you ride a Western-style horse, you'll want to use a cinch made for Western-style horses. Martingales are only appropriate for Western-style horses that are being ridden for jumping.

Step 9 - Attach the stirrup leathers.

Attaching the stirrup leathers is one of the last things you do before you ride your horse, but it's important for keeping your stirrups in place and preventing them from getting caught in the horse's hooves. You'll want to use a stirrup iron that's big enough to fit through both the stirrup leathers and the stirrup ring on the saddle. If you use a stirrup iron that's too small, your stirrup leathers will be loose.

How to Put on a Western Bridle - Conclusion

Once you know what to expect when putting on a Western bridle, you'll be ready to ride your horse in style. Western-style bridles use a different system of controlling a horse than other styles, but if you know what each part does, you'll be able to put on a Western bridle quickly and easily. With the right tools and the right techniques, you'll be able to put on a Western bridle in no time at all.