How to Make a Beaded Headband for a Horse Bridle

A beaded headband for a horse covers the bridle brow band at the top. You can add color-coordinating beads and ribbon to the bridle to match your riding clothes in competitions, parades or rodeos. Craft stores carry ribbon and bead strands in a vast assortment of colors and patterns. This method of making beaded headbands takes very little time and allows you to change quickly from one to another.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 2-inch wide grosgrain ribbon
  • Cigarette lighter
  • 15-inch bead strand
  • Iron
  • Hot glue gun
  • Round toothpicks
  • 3/4-inch hook and loop tape
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length of the bridle̵7;s brow band between the left and right jump rings. The brow band is the horizontal area on a bridle that fits just below the ears and across the brow of a horse, and is either leather or nylon. An average horse bridle has a 15.5-inch brow band and is 3/4 inch wide.

    • 2

      Measure and cut 2-inch wide grosgrain ribbon to the length of the brow band.

    • 3

      Strike a cigarette lighter and pass the flame quickly back and forth over the short ends of the ribbon. This process heat seals the ends so they will not fray.

    • 4

      Lay the ribbon right side up on a flat surface. Apply hot glue in a straight line horizontally in the center of the ribbon.

    • 5

      Center a 15-inch strand of beads on the hot glue and press them down into the glue with round toothpicks. Allow the hot glue to dry for about 5 minutes.

    • 6

      Measure and cut a length of hook and loop tape to the length of the grosgrain ribbon. Turn the ribbon over with the right side facing down. Peel the backing off the hook and loop tape and apply one half to the top edge and the other half to the bottom edge horizontally.

    • 7

      Position the beaded headband in the center of the bridle brow band. Pull the top and bottom edges around it to the rear, and press the hook and loop tape together.