Horse Tack - Taking Apart the Bridle

Understanding what all those Straps are for

While most horse people are familiar with what parts make up a bridle, it is remarkable how few truly understand what goes into it. With so many parts, it is no wonder that people don't consider the reasons for them. In fact, it is not unusual to see someone throw together a simple bridle that does little more than hold the bit in the horse's mouth, and ride off without a care.

So what are all those straps, and what are they for?

Probably the most often misunderstood part of the bridle is the noseband. Many people believe that the noseband is there to hold the horse's mouth closed. Of course, if you look at the positioning of the noseband, it is quickly evident that no matter how tight you fasten it, the noseband could never hold the mouth shut.

Interestingly enough, the noseband is the least necessary part of the bridle. In fact, many western bridles skip it altogether. With very little actual functionality, the cavasson noseband is purely there for looks! With varieties ranging from broad to narrow, and from raised to flat, riders choose a look that best suits their horse. While there are specialty nosebands that are more than just decoration, the average bridle's noseband isn't really necessary at all.

So if the noseband is useless, what about the browband? While it often makes a fashion statement, much like the noseband, the browband is an essential part of the bridle. Without the browband, the crown piece would slip back down the horse's neck, pulling on the bit, and making the bridle uncomfortable for the horse. While some western bridles only use a half browband, circling around one ear, the purpose is the same.

Another strap that sometimes seems useless is the throatlatch. While it seems obvious that it is there to hold the bridle on, generally the bridle will stay in place without the throatlatch at all. Basically it acts as a safety net, to hold the bridle in place should something happen that threatens to pull the bridle over the horse's ears.

The cheek pieces have another obvious use. They act as the connection between the crown piece and the bit. But why do they need to be separate from the crown piece? Without separate check pieces it would be difficult to adjust the length of the bridle for different horses. With two adjustable cheek pieces, it is possible to fine tune the tightness of the bit in the horse's mouth. A single buckle on the side would not allow for this fine tuning.

Of course the reins require no explanation. But, do most reins have a braided appearance? Is this more fashion? No. The laced part of the reins is there to offer the rider a better grip. When a horse becomes sweaty, the reins can become quite slippery. Some reins have alternate forms of grips such as rubber coating, small crosspieces or actual braiding of the leather. It is possible to find smooth reins, but they are uncommon.

So now you know the basics of what makes up a bridle. Each strap has its unique purpose, even if it is a frivolous one.