There I was, riding on Max down a dirt road. The sun was warm on my face and a slight breeze floated through the air. Coming to a fork in the road, I cued Max to stop. But He didn’t. Max has never really stopped when I say “woe,” but when I tighten the reins he always listens. Yet, this time it was like I had no reins, leaning forward I saw that I didn’t! Max’s nose band on his bit-less bridle had broken, I had no way to truly control him. I managed to slow him down enough so I could slip off. Examining the nose band, I saw that it couldn’t be fixed. I had no bridle, practically no reins, and was a 25 minute ride from home. What was I gonna do?!?!
When going on a ride away from the barn, do you leave your horse’s halter on under his bridle, and the lead rope tied around the horn? That might seem a little unnecessary, and I thought so too, yet I did it out of habit. Because years ago when I couldn’t saddle my horse, my father would for me, and he always left the halter and lead rope on under the bridle, tying the lead rope around the horn. So when I found myself on a dirt road, away from home, riding a horse with no bridle, I was very thankful that I had a halter and a lead rope on my horse!
Seeing the lead rope and the halter on Max’s head, I proceeded to take off his bridle and put it around my horn. I then clipped the lead rope to one side of the halter and tied the other end of the rope on the other side of the halter. Using my make-shift rains, I was able to ride home safely.
I now have to go shopping for a new bridle for Max, but more importantly, I will continue to leave the halter and lead rope on under my tack! This however isn’t the only reason to be prepared. Leaving the halter and lead rope on is a good idea when working with junior riders, and even with more advanced riders, it allows for an easy way for someone on the ground to lead the horse if needed. This also saves time, as the halter and lead are already there for when you dismount and untack.
In all, I just wanted to share this experience and maybe the next time you go on a ride away from the barn, or are going on a long trail ride, you can be prepared!
Tails & trails,
Reese
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PS. Here’s a cute pic of my little sis who was riding with me and witnessed the whole thing. *Note the rope halter and lead on under Holly’s bridle.*
What a blessing you girls can enjoy riding together!
Yes!! I am so thankful to have a little sister who loves horses as much as I do!
I totally agree. Halter and lead rope under the bridle for every trail ride. Weird things happen on horseback all the time as you so aptly described!
I’ve been riding for over 40 years and I always have a halter under the bridle, it has saved me several times. Seriously recommend!!!!
Hey!! So cool that you have been riding for so long!! It’s crazy how something so simple as putting a halter on can go such a long way!
I’ve ridden ever since I could sit up straight so obviously I didn’t saddle up my own horse so my dad did. He has always left the halter on whenever we ride so I just thought it was normal to do that.
would this affect the fit of the bridle though?
Thanks for asking! I have had to adjust the halter to fit under the bridle before; however, I haven’t had really any problems with the bridle fitting incorrectly because of the halter. Using a “slimmer” halter and checking the fit before you ride would probably help to avoid this situation!
Excellent explanation on utilizing both halter/lead rope and bridal. That’s pretty much old school for me being trained by valqueros. We utilized both so when we tie the horses to a hitching post , if they panicked there is no strain or injury to their mouths creating a bad experience that might injure the horse. TV cowboys tie their split reins one on the posts pulling on the horses mouth.
It’s easier and safer for both rider and horse to deal with problems off saddle with a lead rope than it’s mouth with reins.
Worked for me many times. So thank you for sharing “old school “ technics to new school riders.
Thanks, over the years I have been so thankful for all the old school tips experienced horsemen and women have shared with me. I always tie with a lead rope from habit, thanks for pointing out how beneficial that habit is; I had not considered that before.
To this day, British Army bridles come in two sections. The head collar/ halter has a fastening on either side of the browband, which is part of the head collar/halter. The bridle is placed over the head collar/halter with the crown piece passing through the fastening on either side of the browband. The head rope/lead rope is fastned to the jowl piece of the head collar/halter. When dismounting, and leading to water, the bridle with the bit is unfastened, leaving the head collar/halter with head rope/lead rope attached to the head collar/halter.
Many mounted police forces use the same bridle arrangement.
Hi Reese,
I grew up in the Ozark hills of northern Arkansas and had lots of fun riding those dirt roads and trails. I’ve been riding for over 60 years and I’m still at it. I like to use a rope halter under my horse’s bridle and tie the lead rope loosely around her neck (like the cavalry did) with a hangman’s noose-type knot. It looks neat, it’s always there and is quick to untie if I need it. I leave the lead rope I use to lead and tie her with while grooming & tacking up, on the hitching rail and just snap the cavalry knotted one on when I’m ready to ride.
Happy trails,
Cova
Hey Cova. That sounds really neat. I have never seen anyone do it like that before. It is also really cool that you have been riding for so long. Thanks for sharing.