Gray Horse Leatherworks

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

11/25/2024

Custom bucking strap pommel attachment for an English saddle 🖤🤎 safety first!

11/15/2024

📣 An announcement for Christmas orders 🎄
I will be putting my Etsy shop on vacation mode next week until after the holidays, as I already have full workload from now until Christmas. If you have any Christmas gift orders please place them by 11/18, thank you for your understanding!

11/07/2024

PELHAMS

This is a complex topic on a bit with many variations - but I will try to keep it short and sweet 🍦

The Pelham is defined by its cheek pieces (not mouth piece which comes in many varieties). It is a leverage bit and snaffle combined into one, which is why it makes its own category of bits 😮

These were developed as a compromise for a double bridle. A double bridle consists of two bits, a bradoon (snaffle) and a Weymouth (curb) which are used on separate reins and each have their own mouthpiece. However, as I’ve spoken about before, many horses don’t have room for a bit in their mouth, let alone two. So the Pelham was invented - one bit to do the work of two. Of course, with any compromise, an ideal outcome isn’t possible for both parties. 😕

Many horses go well in a Pelham, and there are many ways you could use it, but only one “textbook correct” way to do so.
These are very difficult bits to properly fit (I won’t go in to that as I’d need a whole chapter 😉) and from a training standpoint can lose their effectiveness long term, especially if used incorrectly.

As a bit and bridle fitter, if a client wants to ride in a Pelham, or transition away from one slowly, I recommend that they find one with a short shank (less leverage), a mouthpiece that suits the individual horse, and to always use the bit with two reins. The snaffle rein (connected to the ring on the cheek piece at the same level as the mouthpiece) should always be the primary rein and the curb rein (connected to the lower ring on the shank) should only be used selectively when you want to apply leverage (poll pressure and rotation of the bit to encourage suppleness and flexion through the poll). Just like any other leverage bit, the curb chain should always be fit so that the bit’s max rotation is 45 degrees. 📐

Curious about how you are currently using a Pelham (or want to) for your horse? Reach out! Happy to help or schedule a consultation 🗓️

10/25/2024

A custom neck strap with removable saddle attachment for a client who works with multiple training horses - I punched extra holes so it would fit a multitude of horses. The saddle attachment keeps it from sliding down the horses neck in case of a fall (or if your horse swoops down for a bite of grass). Safety first! ❤️

Since all of my work is made by hand from “scratch” I can make leather pieces that more closely match your existing tack. This client sent me a photo of her saddle with two brown tones and red piping - and I did my best to match from photos. Of course nothing is ever perfect, but in “matchy matchy” standards, it’s pretty darn good! 😋

The cheeky foil embossing is always a fun touch, too!

Both items are available on my Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayHorseLeatherwrks