Gray Horse Leatherworks

03/14/2025

LIP STRAP

Ever wonder what that tiny hole on the shank of a Weymouth (curb) or Pelham is for? Or why curb chains have an extra O-ring connected in the middle? This is for the lip strap!

The lip strap is a small leather piece that runs between the small rings on a leverage bit shank between the mouthpiece and the curb rein attachment, and through the little O-ring on a curb chain.

The lip strap serves two key purposes:
1️⃣ Prevents the shanks from rotating forward and upward, which would result in the bit upside-down in the mouth (ouch 😣)
2️⃣ Keeps the curb chain in the curb groove (the part of the lower jaw closest to the chin which is fleshier and the sensitive jaw bones are more protected)

Because a Weymouth or curb bit will sit lower in the mouth than a snaffle (or Pelham), it is not as likely that the curb chain will rise out of the curb groove, but avoiding any scenario where a ported mouthpiece could turn upside down in the mouth is important!
This can happen if you’re leading your horse and they put their head down, or horses can even flip the bit with their tongue 👅

For Pelhams, because they have a longer purchase (part above the mouthpiece where the bridle attaches) and are used with a snaffle and a curb rein, the curb chain is almost guaranteed to creep up the sensitive jaw bones when the bit is engaged. For this reason it is important to use a lip strap to keep the curb secure and comfortable for the horse.

This also helps generally stabilize the bit for curbs and pelhams with jointed mouthpieces and swivel shanks.

All this to say… there are good reasons for it so please use one!

It is unfortunate that they do not come with most bits that need them, and I suspect that is why I do not see them installed very often. But they are only about $20 to buy separately - a small price to pay for your horse’s comfort and welfare if you ask me 😉

03/07/2025

A friendly Friday reminder, brought to you by a custom neck strap 🥰

These can be ordered on my Etsy shop and customizations/ideas are welcome!

03/02/2025

Custom dark brown and hunter green halter with some fancy stitching around the nameplate. I think this color combination is really classy! 🤎💚💛

02/21/2025

LIVERPOOL BIT

I had a request recently to cover some driving bits, and this one was the first that came to mind - the classic Liverpool.

This is technically a pelham and is most commonly seen with a straight bar mouthpiece that has a spiralized texture (see second photo).

The design of this cheek piece is different from that of a classic Pelham in a few key ways that make it a fine choice for driving:

1️⃣ extra stability in the mouth (think permanent steel bit guards).
Because of this, the cheek piece will not yield to an opening rein like a traditional Pelham, and is why you won’t see it as a riding bit (although I did spot one at the Olympics last year!)

2️⃣ multiple slots for rein attachments.
This is an essential feature for driving teams, as it is ideal to have tack matching between all horses on the team, but each horse is an individual and some may benefit from some leverage versus those who only need a snaffle. They can all have the same bit but with reins attached to different slots.

For these reasons, I quite like the Liverpool as a driving bit! However, its traditional straight bar mouthpiece is no good…
Straight bars do not conform to the mouth - they will squash the tongue and put pressure on the edge of the palate. Plus that textured surface can be quite harsh (like a slow twist bit). 👎🏻

It’s a good thing these are now made in a variety of mouthpiece options besides the straight bar!

Think your driving horse might go well in one of these? Reach out for a consultation! 🙋🏼‍♀️

02/14/2025

FLY BONNETS

There is a lot of talk about the recent FEI rule change that prohibits ear hair trimming, and it got me thinking about ear bonnets and whether or not folks would end up using these more or less while riding due to this.

Modern ear bonnets/hoods developed from the original fly veil (still used by some trail riders) to reduce head tossing and shaking from flies and gnats. These have become quite a fad and fashion accessory - but can impact the fit of the bridle and comfort of the horse, which is why I’ll cover them 🤓

Most riders use them for one or more of these reasons:
▪️Symptomatic - head tossing/shaking (suspected due to flies) 🪰
▪️Noise - to keep ear plugs in and/or use with noise-reducing ear bonnets 🎧
▪️Aesthetic - a fad and common item in a matchy-matchy set 🌈

The modern design is kept in place only by pressure from the bridle crown and browband, and if the bridle fits properly and a snaffle is being used (should not apply poll pressure), there should not be much pressure in this area and therefore the bonnet will be prone to shifting.

Unfortunately, due to the extra material, horse ear movement, and ability to shift around, these are more likely to cause irritation than relieve it. In fact, horses may head shake more with this on than off.

I generally can’t recommend anything that will add bulk or pressure points under the bridle, restrict ear movement, or trap excess heat. 🫤
So if you do use one, make sure it fits well, allows free ear movement, and doesn’t impact the fit of your bridle.
I have seen folks take a thread to attach the bonnet to the bridle to keep in place, now that the kind with the crochet throat latch is out of style. Nothing wrong with that!

Note that there are many potential reasons for head shaking, and not all of them due to insects. So if your horse keeps shaking when no bugs are present, rule out medical issues, then have a bit/bridle fitter (like me 🙋🏼‍♀️) come out and assess the fit.

02/06/2025

More cheeky neck straps!
Safety first ⛑️

01/30/2025

SCOURIER BIT

Also called a “Cornish snaffle”, this looks at first like a four ring “Wilson” snaffle (covered in a previous post), but its mechanics are quite different.

The Scourier is a snaffle with a textured mouthpiece, typically single joint, and has four rings, the inner rings run through a slotted opening in the mouthpiece, separate from the one the outer rings pass through. The inner rings connect to the bridle and the outer rings connect to the reins.

While the four ring (or “Wilson”) snaffle’s inner rings are ~floating~ and the mouthpiece can then rotate 360 degrees, the Scourier’s inner rings actually run through the mouthpiece in another “slot”, separate from the one the outer rings pass through.

Pros:
🔹Bit can rotate naturally under contact, but cannot freely rotate 360 degrees 🔄
🔹 Inner rings aids in overall stability of the bit as compared to a standard loose ring ↔️
🔹 Outer loose ring offers presignal and some degree of “elastic” feel in the contact

Cons:
🔸 High risk of mouth injury due to construction of the inner ring slot 💢
🔸 Textured mouthpiece has a rougher feel on the tongue 👅
🔸 Single joint with no curvature will have “nutcracker” action on the lower jaw 😣

For these reasons, I cannot recommend this bit. Put simply, it is not anatomical and the risk for mouth injury is too great. The benefits of this design as compared to the four ring “Wilson” snaffle are unfortunately not outweighed by its negative traits and risks.

Unsure what bit is best suited for your horse? Reach out for a consultation, I’d love to help! 🙋🏼‍♀️

01/26/2025

Custom black and gray halter with stainless steel hardware 🖤🩶

01/24/2025

“GERMAN SILVER” BIT MATERIAL

In case you missed my “What’s That? Wednesday” Instagram story series, I will explain what the gold-colored bit material is and how it differs from standard stainless steel mouthpiece material.

Don’t be fooled by the name, it is 0% silver. It is also 0% gold. This is just the ~street name~ for the generic gold colored metal that is a copper/nickel/zinc alloy.

Some pros/cons as it compares to stainless steel bits…

Pros:
🔹 Strong 💪🏻
🔹Warms up (adjusts to horse’s body temperature) faster 🌡️
🔹 Slight sweet taste 👅

Cons:
🔸 Expensive 💰
🔸 Heavier 🏋️
🔸 More porous, which can make the surface easier to scratch and can harbor bacteria (make sure you clean and inspect these well) 🧽
🔸 Nickel content may bother some horses (rare) 🪙

Big bit manufacturers like Herm Sprenger and Neue Schule have their own patented alloys that further improve on the more generic “German silver” metal. The replacement of nickel and additives of other components like silicon in their alloys aim to avoid some of the negatives listed above. If you’re wondering why these brands are expensive, the engineering behind these special alloys is a factor 📚

These are marketed to encourage salivation. I have seen no evidence of this in practice, but their copper content does lend itself to have a slightly sweeter taste than stainless (which is neutral - tasteless).
However, appropriate levels of salivation while under saddle comes from a healthy horse with the ability to swallow and has a relaxed jaw, accepting contact with the bit. This is aided by an appropriate fitted mouthpiece for the horse, so it is much more about anatomical fit than material type. 💡

Unsure what bit material is best suited for your horse? Reach out for a consultation, I’d love to help! 🙋🏼‍♀️

01/15/2025

MYLER BARREL JOINT SNAFFLES

I get this question a LOT - what is the difference between the Myler bits? So I’ll cover the basics for everyone today! These same mouthpieces can be found on a variety of leverage cheek pieces but for simplicity sake I’ll just discuss the snaffle.

1️⃣ Myler “level 1” (top bit in photo) - barrel joint snaffle bit with NO PORT. I covered this in a previous post (scroll down on my feed to learn more), but to summarize it primarily applies tongue pressure and minimizes bar pressure and palate contact. Horses with little room in their mouths that prefer tongue pressure (as opposed to bar pressure) may be very happy with this bit.

2️⃣ Myler “level 2” (middle bit in photo) - barrel joint snaffle bit with LOW PORT. When pressure from the reins are applied, the mouthpiece will rotate forward slightly (yes, even with a snaffle 😉) to provide some relief for the tongue. This means the bit will begin to apply more bar pressure, but without contacting the palate. This is one of my favorites that I have in my inventory, as horses that want some tongue relief often go well in it.

3️⃣ Myler “level 3” (bottom bit in photo) - barrel joint snaffle bit with HIGH PORT. Similar to the level 2 bit, but greater degree of tongue relief. But this also means much more concentrated pressure on the bars. Like other high port bits, when the mouthpiece rotates under contact, the port can trap the tongue in the available space which can be a bit jarring to the bars. With proper fit and use this can be minimized, especially with a snaffle. But this is also why Myler makes most of these with an option for hooks and a curb chain to limit the rotation. With independent rein action and contour to the mouth, however, this snaffle could be a decent bit for the right horse and rider.

Each of these “levels” can come in different cheek pieces, barrel sizes, port contours, and degrees to which they can collapse inward. This is great for bit fitters who can help you find a more tailored fit for your horse. But assuming every Myler is the same can lead to accidental purchases and a bad fit. Let a bit fitter come help you if you’re considering one of these 🙋🏼‍♀️

01/07/2025

Adorable mini dog collars! 🐶

Hard to tell from the photo without a size reference, but these are for tiny doggos with little necks, only 5/8” wide and ~8” long. Both were made 100% by hand from “scratch”.

01/03/2025

Do you like to allow your horse to graze while going on hacks or trail riding? Are your reins always a little too short to do this comfortably? 🌈 well, do I have a solution for you 🌈

The “snack strap” has been invented! 😆

I ride with a lot of friends that like to do this and over the years they have addressed this issue by attaching a spur strap, flash strap, or even dog collar to the end of their reins to give them a few extra inches to hold on to so they don’t have to bend over while letting their horse graze beneath them. This is a much cuter solution, I think ☺️ and it has a little clip so you can attach to your saddle when not in use!

Personally, I don’t let my horses graze while being ridden or having a bit in (for several reasons) BUT no judgement, and it has other uses! It can be used as an attachment to keep your neck strap from sliding down, as well as a few other handy uses if you’re a frequent trail rider.

I can make these in other colors and with gold (brass) or stainless (gold) hardware and matching custom embossing 🌟

12/25/2024

12/20/2024

Custom halter with brown leather, purple padding, and stainless steel hardware 🤎💜🩶

12/13/2024

More English pommel straps! This one is ✨ sparkly ✨

Although the shimmery lambskin is a very popular choice, I’ll probably stop stocking it soon (sorry) as the coating will always be lesser quality than the rest and the glittery material transfers a bit. It still holds up ok but I want to make things that will last a lifetime! Sorry, folks, all that glitters isn’t gold 😜

12/05/2024

DROP NOSEBANDS

As shown in the photo, this is a Noseband that rests below the level of the bit, fitted low on the horse’s nose. This was invented in the 19th century, intended to achieve the following:
1️⃣ Shut the horse’s mouth (opening the mouth is a perceived evasion)
2️⃣ Prevent crossing of the jaw (a type of evasion)
3️⃣ Lower head carriage

Addressing point 1️⃣, the drop Noseband is quite effective at closing the mouth because the horse must work harder to open the mouth as it is lower on the face AND it is pressing on delicate/sensitive facial structures that the horse would like to avoid breaking. Below the level where the bit sits, the nasal bone tapers into a fine point (look up a picture of a horse skull 💀 to see what I mean), which is at high risk of damage if a Noseband is placed below the bit ⚠️

As to point 2️⃣, this can quickly be debunked. This Noseband will not prevent jaw crossing. In fact, a drop Noseband may encourage this behavior in an attempt to evade contact and avoid pain.
If your horse is displaying evasion behaviors related to the bit (like gaping mouth or crossing jaw), please address the underlying problem before masking it with a restrictive Noseband. Nosebands are not just a band-aid, they can be harmful in themselves 💢

For point 3️⃣, this is true enough. Any Noseband will apply poll pressure once resistance is met by the horse (can be at rest), but the frequency and magnitude increases as the Noseband is lowered on the nose and tightened. Just look up a horse cranial nerve map and you’ll see why pressure around the top of their head is no good 👎🏻

There are many articles and studies on Noseband tightness and how these not only can damage facial bones, tissue, cartilage, and nerves, but how they can impact the horse’s locomotion and overall biomechanics. Drop, crank, and flash nosebands are never necessary and can have detrimental effects, so I always advise strongly against them.

No shame to anyone who has used one before and not been educated! But knowledge is power 🌈 this kind of information is essential to equine welfare and biomechanics, and should (hopefully) interest all equestrians!

12/03/2024

More spur straps in fun colors 💙💚

11/28/2024

BLAIR’S PATTERN HACKAMORE

This bitless bridle type features a metal shank on the side of the Noseband which the reins connect to the end of. There are many styles, the most common is “Blair’s pattern” like that in the first photo.
When the reins pull back, the shank rotates and applies downward force on the bridle cheek pieces (translates to poll pressure), noseband (translates to nasal bone/facial pressure), and back strap (translates to lower jaw pressure). Its effect is not dissimilar to a leverage bit, encouraging (or rather, coercing) flexion over the poll. Like a curb bit, this can create jaw tension instead of jaw relaxation if used improperly.

There are countless metal shank types, the more fair/kind versions are those with short swept shanks. These are also seen commonly used on regular bridles which is a big no-no. These should sit in the same location as a regular cavesson Noseband which means shorter bridle cheek pieces are a must, and a jowl strap must always be used to stabilize the setup and prevent cheek pieces from being pushed into the eye (this part is true for all bitless setups). See second photo for a good example of fit.

I have found the greatest percentage of horses going in bitless bridles prefer this setup. I think the riders prefer it as well because it has a somewhat similar feel to riding with a bit, especially those accustomed to riding in leverage bits.

Still, the horse and rider must be properly trained to use this so that heavy hands don’t develop which can begin to dull the horse to the pressure and even cause damage to the horse’s delicate facial structures.

I recently wrote a blog post for those of you wanting to learn more about bitless bridle options. Check it out on my site! https://www.grayhorseleatherworks.com/post/better-bitless