What Type Of Leather To Use For Headstalls And Breastcollars?

[luckyarb]

Hi,

Just wanting to learn how to make horse tack. And was wondering what type of leather do they use?

[dbusarow]

You can use quite a few different types. I use harness leather, latigo and skirting. Skirting with a latigo lining makes a really nice looking headstall. For breast collars you probably want two layers of skirting sewn together. Harness leather will work for either and does not require linging. But you can line it if you want.

All comes down to what you want the final product to look like and how much time you can put into making it.

I buy most of my leather from Wickett and Craig.

Dan

[luckyarb]

Can you tool on the harness leather or skirting?

[dbusarow]

Can you tool on the harness leather or skirting?

Yes to both.

Harness leather has oils and tallows "stuffed" in. This makes it water resistant and it does not take impressions as well as skirting or tooling, but it does take them and they do last.

Skirting leather is just plain old veg tan.

If the tooling is important use skirting and then line with latigo. Or line with harness but harness is generally pretty heavy and more expensive than latigo.

Dan

[luckyarb]

Thanks I appreciate the help