How to Make a Bridle With Leather

An English bridle is slightly different from a Western bridle, although they are both most often made from leather. The greatest difference is the lack of a noseband and an ear slot instead of a brow band in the Western bridle. Western bridles are also often decorated with silver conchos. Whether you are making an English or Western bridle, the easiest and safest way to make certain you cut all the pieces correctly is to take apart an old bridle and use it for reference.

Things You'll Need

  • Tooling leather
  • Tape measure
  • Old bridle
  • Leather scissors or strap cutter
  • Skiving knife
  • Hole punch
  • Rivets or Chicago screws
  • Hammer
  • Rivet setter
  • Buckles or studs
  • Needles
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your horse. Take the measurement across the brow, under the throat and around the top of the head (place your fist at the bottom of the tape measure to allow for some slack in the throat latch). Also measure around the nose, just under the protruding cheekbone for a cavesson nose band or around the muzzle for a dropped nose band, and also from just below the ear to the corner of the mouth. Be certain the measurements are correct before you cut the leather. Figure out how long you want the reins to be.

    • 2

      Mark and draw the lines on the leather to show where you will cut each piece. Use strips of belt leather already cut to the correct width. Remember to add an inch to each end of every piece to allow for adding the buckles. When you are certain you have everything measured and marked correctly, use a sharp leather knife, scissors or strap cutter to cut the bridle pieces.

    • 3

      Attach studs or buckles wherever you will be joining two pieces together. Punch holes for the tang of the buckles or for studs or rivets. Skive the leather (make it thinner) at the ends and fold over the buckles. Stitch using an awl, needle and strong thread or use rivets or Chicago screws to hold the buckles.

    • 4

      Cut keepers and join with glue or stitch together over the relevant leather pieces - the nose band, throat latch, and cheek pieces. Keepers can also be purchased ready made if preferred. Use Chicago screws or rivets on the brow band and to join the nose band to its head piece. Attach conchos to a western bridle.

    • 5

      Oil or dubbin the leather to soften and protect it. Assemble the bridle. Attach the bit to the bridle with your buckles or studs and attach the reins to the bit. Bridle your horse and adjust the length for a correct fit so that the bit is at the corner of her mouth and the nose band is just below the cheekbone for a cavesson nose band.