How to Adjust a Side Pull Bridle

Side pull bridles, also referred to as bitless bridles, hackamores, Lindells or cavessons, allow the rider to give signals to the horse without the aid of a bit. Comprised of a leather headstall, leather or lariat rope nose band and reign rings near the nose end of the muzzle, side pull bridles offer the advantages of gentle, more natural horsemanship. Adjusting a side pull bridle to your horse's unique head shape and comfort level is essential to the proper function of the bridle.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Horse
  • Side pull bridle
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Instructions

  1. Adjusting a Side Pull Bridle

    • 1

      Measure your horse's head for the bridle. All bridles are made to fit a range of sizes. Typical sizes include foal/mini, standard horse, small horse, large horse and draft. Using a tape measure, take the measurements of the circumference of your horse's muzzle, the length from muzzle to the middle of the cheek, and the circumference of the horse's neck immediately behind the ears. This will give you a starting point for purchasing the correct size of bridle.

    • 2

      Adjust the bridle to the largest setting. Bridles of all construction are make to accommodate a range of sizes. Side pull bridles include buckles on the neck strap, cheek strap, and chin strap. Loosen the neck strap and leave it unlatched. Move the chin strap buckle and the cheek strap buckle to the farthest holes on the strap, so that the bridle is at the largest size possible.

    • 3

      Tack up your horse. Holding the headstall of the bridle in your right hand and the nose band in your left, slip the side pull up the horse's face so that the nose enters the nose band of the bridle, and the headstall rests behind the horse's ears. The bridle may be too large at this point, and the nose band may dangle off the horse's face. Let the bridle hang down from the headstall while you begin adjustments.

    • 4

      Tighten the bridle to fit your horse. Take the buckle of the neck strap and tighten it to fit your horse's head, leaving two finger widths between the strap and the horse's neck. Next, open the cheek strap, and lift the nose band into position on your horse's face. Thread the cheek strap through the buckle and secure it into place. The rein rings should rest where the rings of a halter would rest, midway between the nose and cheek. Adjust the chin strap. You should be able to fit four finger widths between the horse's muzzle and the nose band, as side pull bridles are meant to be worn more loosely for more gentle direction.