The Parts of a Horse Bridle

A bridle is a piece of equipment used to control a horse's movements while it's being ridden. The bridle is made up of two main components, the headpiece and the reins. The headpiece comprises several parts that all work in unison to create an effective means of communication between horse and rider.

  1. The Crownpiece

    • The crownpiece is the part of the bridle that slips over the head and rests just behind the ears of the horse. Its main function is to hold the bridle in place and to make sure that the bit fits comfortably in the horse's mouth by anchoring the bridle in a stationary position on the head.

    The Cheek Pieces

    • The cheek pieces are two long, adjustable lengths of leather that attach the crownpiece to the bit rings. The cheek pieces have buckles on each side that will adjust the length of the bridle between the crownpiece and the bit loops, ensuring that the bridle fits comfortably on the horse's head.

    The Throatlatch

    • The throatlatch is a strap of leather that runs along the underside of the horse's head that keeps the bridle from slipping off if the horse tosses or rubs his head against something. The leather strap includes a small buckle so that the bridle can be adjusted to fit the horse comfortably.

    The Browband

    • The browband is the strap of leather that runs across the forehead of the bridle. The browband holds the crownpiece in place, preventing it from slipping too far back on the horse's head.

    The Noseband

    • The noseband is a strap of leather that rests over the nose of the horse. In bridles that do not include a bit, the noseband is where the reins are attached, and it is used to direct the horse. In units that rely upon the bit for direction, the noseband is used to keep the horse's mouth closed and to attach other equipment such as a martingale.

    The Reins

    • The reins are long lengths of leather attached to the bit or the noseband, depending on the style of bridle being used, that allow the rider to communicate his or her wishes to the horse through small, controlled movements. The reins provide the connection between horse and rider.

    The Bit

    • The bit is probably the most important part of the bridle. It is a specially shaped piece of metal that rests in the horse's mouth that communicates the wishes of the rider into movements by the horse. Bits come in all shapes and sizes, from the very simple snaffle to the complex curb and gag bits. The type of bit used depends on the type of work being done.