Combination Halter Bridles

[bqbowden]

I was looking at the website http://www.confederatesaddles.com today and saw mention of the "combination halter bridle. Does anyone have a picture and does anyone make these?

[VaTrooper]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Karl Pepper sells one but I've been told the pattern is off.

https://www.glennpierdepot.us

[Linkstrap]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

We had ours made by Doug Kidd.

http://www.borderstates.com/

[bqbowden]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

We had ours made by Doug Kidd.
http://www.borderstates.com/

Do you like this better than having a seperate halter and bridal? How does your horse react to it?

[Linkstrap]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Do you like this better than having a seperate halter and bridal? How does your horse react to it?

Barry, before I bought my halter bridle, I guess that I kind of assumed that there would be inherent advantages in the design over a seperate halter/bridle combination.

Now that I own one, and having used it, I'm no longer sure that such is the case. And whilst I believe that modern halter bridles are quite popular with endurance riders, I'm not entirely convinced as to whether they offer any advantage in military terms.

However, that said, I bought mine mainly with civilian use in mind, and it's a nice thing to have in it's own right, plus of course if the scenario permits you to use one, well, why not?

As to how my horse reacts, thus far I've only tried it on my Thoroughbred mare, and she couldn't have cared less quite frankly! My pal, who bought his, (also from Doug), at the same time as me, has used his with no problems at all on his horse.

Kind regards, Jim.

[Outrider]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Barry, before I bought my halter bridle, I guess that I kind of assumed that there would be inherent advantages in the design over a seperate halter/bridle combination.

Now that I own one, and having used it, I'm no longer sure that such is the case. And whilst I believe that modern halter bridles are quite popular with endurance riders, I'm not entirely convinced as to whether they offer any advantage in military terms.

However, that said, I bought mine mainly with civilian use in mind, and it's a nice thing to have in it's own right, plus of course if the scenario permits you to use one, well, why not?

As to how my horse reacts, thus far I've only tried it on my Thoroughbred mare, and she couldn't have cared less quite frankly! My pal, who bought his, (also from Doug), at the same time as me, has used his with no problems at all on his horse.

Kind regards, Jim.

I agree. Personally I find them to be a bit of a pain in the ***. I much prefer the seperate halter and bridle but to each his own. I am not at all convinced they were popular among civilians either but it could be. If I am not mistaken the one that Doug Kidd offers is a copy of one issued to Confederate troops after 1863 so it may not be right for earlier stuff.

maybe Ken will chime in.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Gents, One pattern halter bridle Doug offers is off of an original I sold him. It was a great setup, even fit my horse well (yes, he wore it for pictures). The only thing I did not like about the reproduction I bought from him was the size of it... the repop swallowed my horses head, it could have fit a draft or mule! I sold it after about a year as it seemed to work better with a (ring) snaffle better than a curb, and I liked the 59' bit with that horse. Now my youngster uses a snaffle (reworked watering bit) and if it would have been sized for him it would have been okay. At days end and after using both I still like the halter and bridle seperate. Morse stuff there to make do with if a horse tears one or the other up.... Later TEH

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

I use them with my drafts and the mule.

The only advantage from a military standpoint is that you have one less piece of equipment to worry about or maintain. The disadvantage of course is that by having only one if it breaks you don't have another piece of equipment on hand that can do the job (bridle for halter and vice versa).

The advantage from the horse's standpoint is less stuff on his face (if you use both at the same time) and then fewer places where he could be injured by excessive pressure or wear and tear. Fewer things to hang up on that tree he is scratching himself against too.

Today we don't have to worry too much about equipment causing excessive wear on an animal, they're only going to be in it for 48 hrs at a time at the most. But for a horse that might wear a bridle/halter 20 hours a day for weeks on end, irritation from equipment could be a real issue.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Thank you, Bob. The combination halter/bridle appears to be very common in the draft world for the reasons you describe, and one can surmise that may very well be origin of the prototype copied for reenacting use. If anyone thinks this is a huge jump in logic, just remember the copies of a certain WW1 US Army issue mule halter (minus the rivets) that made the rounds for years as a "CS issue halter."

[csabugler]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

I have one of Karl's. I like it for my CS and civilian impressions, it's a good piece to show the public different options. Only draw back in my situation is my horse Dan Tucker doesn't peticularly like taking a bit anyway , so attaching the bit can be a hassle because of the inherent two-handed buckling thing.
Patrick

[paul9thky]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Here is an illustration of a confederate halter-bridle by Ken Knopp, you can find it in his book, "Cofederate saddles and horse equipment"

[T.Kern]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

I believe Halterbridles come out of the civilian world, when a traveler could stop at a wayside and simply give a little relief to his horse by unbuckling one side and dropping the bit out of his mouth. Obvious military advantage there as well. For CS Military it was a leather saver. In a south pressed hard to get enough leather it was an option. The British also used them but I'm unsure when they became common.
The point about wearing on the head is valid, as any piece left on too long will wear the hair. The fit is hard, unless you have a large headed horse a lot of care must be taken in making one. The hardware(rings) must be small to help close the distance of the cheek.
As for a model, the steamship Arabia collection has an original they dug up, It seems someone forgot to untie the mule before they abandoned ship.
Todd Kern

[KyCavMajor]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

I made my self a Combo set up from the illustration in Mr Knopp's fine book, I didn't much like it for a couple reasons others already mentioned here and went back to using separate pieces.
My horse bits easily, and it was still a pain attaching it to the bridle and if you break the combo equipment you may be out of luck.
Now my wife uses a combo in the modern world, but it has snaps to attach the bit and is handier than than buckles.

[unionreb]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Dear All,

I first contacted Ken Knopp about the use of, then I bought TEH's halter/bridle for my TB. Worked find as my horse's head was big. Later I purchased another for my son from Karl, his patern is like the one posted above. I and my son have used both halter/bridles and separate halters and bridles on 5 different horses, dependent on impression. The only issue I have come across is with my present horse. He likes to scratch and if the bit is not in, he can get the strap to come off one ear and get side ways on his head. He has never been able to pull out. This only occurs if I have him tied to a tree or fixed object. He has never gotten it twisted when on a high line.

At to bits, I use either a '63 Federal low port or one of Doug Kidd's Trooper bits.

Just my experiences.

UnionReb
Way down in Texas.

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Combination Halter Bridles

Hey Fellas,
Look real close at the picture Ken K. posted on the California saddles and you will see what looks to me like a halter bridle. By the way Ken, thanks, I loved the pictures.