How to Use a Western Bridle

The Western bridle --- consisting of a headstall, bit, chin strap and reins --- is made of thin leather straps and is minimal in appearance. The primary reason for a lightweight, nonbulky bridle is to prevent overheating a horse in hot climates, though Western show bridles have evolved into much more elaborate pieces of equipment. Western bridle headstalls are categorized as full browband, split-ear browband, one-ear browband and bosal hanger. Selecting the appropriate bridle includes matching it to the horse's training level and keeping safety at the forefront.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Western bridle
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Instructions

  1. Bridling the Horse

    • 1
      Secure the horse before removing the halter.

      Remove the horse's halter safely and securely. Though the halter is commonly removed in order to bridle a horse, some amount of control must be maintained. In order to accomplish this, remove the halter from the horse's head, leaving it affixed and secured with a lead rope, and buckle the halter around the horse's neck.

    • 2
      Teach the horse to drop its head.

      Encourage the horse to drop its head by placing the right arm between the horse's ears. This action puts the right hand in the ideal position to lift and guide the bridle onto the head.

    • 3
      Do not hit the teeth with the bit.

      Use the left hand to place the bit at the horse's lips while positioning the curb strap behind the chin. Take care not to hit the teeth with the bit, as this can cause severe pain.

    • 4
      Utilize the interdental space.

      Slide the left thumb into the interdental space, the gap between the horse's front and rear teeth, to encourage the horse to gently accept the bit. Raise the right hand up and toward the horse's ears while lifting the bit past the front teeth, again taking care not to bump the teeth with the bit.

    • 5
      Avoid smashing the ears.

      Slide the crown of the bridle over the horse's ears. Regardless of the style of bridle, the ears should be folded straight back or straight forward to fit through the browband or through ear loops without smashing the ears.

    • 6
      Inspect the bridle before mounting.

      Straighten the forelock to eliminate any tangled hairs. After visually inspecting the bridle from both sides to make sure everything is in its proper place, secure the throatlatch, if there is one, and prepare to ride.