Triple Stitched Halter

[TomE]

4 hours ago, Goldshot Ron said:

Tom,

Beautiful work, as always.  

Thank you, Ron.  Glad to be done with foaling season, and almost through breeding season so I can spend more time with leather.

46 minutes ago, kgg said:

Shock'n pretty.

kgg

Thank you!

43 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

NICE

I appreciate it.

28 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

That is some really nice looking work. It must be quite satisfying.

I *think* I recall you saying you hand stitched. I'm curious how long it takes to make one of these and wondering if you cut the straps as needed, have a bunch of lengths precut or maybe just order lengths of strap.  Also curious if you're working with pre dyed leather or dyeing it as needed.

Lots of questions, I know ...

Thanks

Thanks, I am a 3-trick pony: halters, bridles, and reins.  I hand stitch bridles and reins (just the buckle and billets of reins).  I machine stitch most of the halter, although the buckle straps and the hardware on the rolled throatlatch are hand stitched.  There's a link to my halter methods in the post below.  I buy sides of HO bridle leather and cut long straps from the back/butt of the hide then cut them to length as I go.  Halters and especially bridles are made to measure and I've learned to fit them by studying commercial tack, and some trial-and-error refinements.  The leather is dyed at the tannery and has a pasted or moss-back.  I just dye the edges and any exposed skived parts like the points on a bridle.  I've learned a great deal from the folks on this forum and am happy to share what I know.

 

[AlZilla]

That is quite a document. I'm going to spend some quality time with it this week, for sure. Thank you.

[bladegrinder]

I don't know much about horses, other then they can throw you...but that looks GREAT!

[TomE]

2 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

That is quite a document. I'm going to spend some quality time with it this week, for sure. Thank you.

Please let me know how I can improve the document.  Thanks for reading.

[TomE]

3 minutes ago, bladegrinder said:

I don't know much about horses, other then they can throw you...but that looks GREAT!

Ha!  I totally agree and stick to working from the ground with them.  It also saves me embarrassment and them from wear and tear on their backs.

[Mulesaw]

Sorry for being a bit late to the party.

Beautiful work as always!

I have made 3 halters using your excellent document. Though only one of them was triple stitched (the first one). Gustav wanted me to make one with only a double stitching, and I did that for his new horse and for his girlfriends horse as well. 

The document is really great, and the sizes are spot on. Something I have experienced problems with when I tried to follow the sizes given in very old books. 
 

Brgds Jonas

[TomE]

Thank you kindly, @Mulesaw.  Glad it was useful.  I'm hoping to get more time for leathercraft in the coming months.  The heat and humidity have kept us busy, changing our turnout routine and hosing off mares and foals that are hot.  Cooler weather this week should make everyone happy.

[Mulesaw]

@TomE I'll try to see if I can get a post up on the halters, I know they can't in any way compete with yours in the look or finish, but at least it'll show that I once in a while do some actual work 

Gustav has landed at job at Sören von Rönne in Germany riding young horses, so in a month or so he is off. He is looking very much forward to it.

Brgds

Jonas

 

[TomE]

5 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

@TomE I'll try to see if I can get a post up on the halters, I know they can't in any way compete with yours in the look or finish, but at least it'll show that I once in a while do some actual work 

Gustav has landed at job at Sören von Rönne in Germany riding young horses, so in a month or so he is off. He is looking very much forward to it.

Brgds

Jonas

 

Looking forward to it.  Congratulations to Gustav!  What an honor to be chosen by von Rönne.  An experience of a lifetime.