Something small today… a light breed showmanship halter:
I’ve been meaning to make one of these for this model for ages. (no surprise there!) However, my knowledge is limited on these so I’m sure I’ve made some obvious mistakes.
The reference pictures I gathered all seem different. Some have throatlatches, some don’t. Some have a chain underneath while others have leather straps. Some have bits, and again, some don’t.
I figure that the bridles with bits are used when stallions are shown in hand? And the bitless ones would be used for mares or geldings?
I don’t know!
I just wanted to make something. š Luckily I was able to use the straps I made for that sad dressage bridle I was rambling about a while back. No fiddling with tongue buckles today, yay! It made the halter a lot easier to put together. I’m pretty happy with the browband too, though I think it might be a touch too big…
Any saddlebred experts/showers out there? Your input would be very much appreciated for any future tack projects. š
Desktop Stables 
As far as I know, you are right about the use of bits. I made a Saddlebred show halter very similar to yours for a mare as well, with the chain going under the chin. My one critique is that the browband should sit more firmly across the forehead instead of sticking up. What did you use for the red? It looks great. And those little tongue buckles… wow!
Thanks. š The browband was made by painting the leather red and covering it with some leather finish and gloss. (credit goes to Braymere for the idea!)
Oh now that’s lovely!
I think you’re right about bitted halters for stallies and whatnot. š
I show American Saddlebreds in in-hand and this looks perfect! One thing is some horses have a throat strap!