Patterns for Horse Gear

[JLD]

Hi,

I want to start making some gear for my horses and was wondering if someone could tell me where I can get some patterns for things like headstalls, breastcollars, halters etc.

I am hoping I don;t need to go out and buy 1 of each to copy. Does some one have some measurements patterns etc which could help me.

Johanne

[steve mason]

I mentioned this in another post, a large part of becoming a saddle/gear maker is making your own patterns. Now how you get all these patterns is up to you. Just use some old headstalls that you have or that some friends or family have then take a pattern. It's not really stealing their pattern because it's not your fault that someone else thought of it first.

Steve

[bcurrier]

Be careful! While most gear is generic and can be patterned, there is patented gear out there too. If you make something based on a protected design, you can be sued.

Bill

[steve mason]

I my need to elaborate a little more, for example, if it is a headstall you are wanting to make, by taking a pattern I mean get the measurements you will need and that is it. Do not try to 100% duplicate the item,,, make your own.

[SmokinP]

www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=6025-00

This should get you started pretty well I think.

[JLD]

Hi,

I probably didn't explain myself very well. I am more after the dimensions of things and for example in a breastplate how I shape the curve, how long is each bit and how wide. I just want to avoid haveing to buy lots of gear in order to measure.

Johanne

[Hidemechanic]

Do you know people with horses?

If so, take a day and a pad and pencil, cloth tape measure , tack up a horse with the style of gear you want to make and a start making notes. take the breast collar and lay it out on some paper or card stock and trace it for your contures. Make drawings and take notes that you will understand when you get back to your shop.

Remember that commercial tack is usually genaric (on size fits all so to speek) and will have a lot of buillit left over on smaller horses. You may want to adjust your paterns to allow for these differences so you work is a bit more custom. Youwill have to make allowences for lined and unlined pieces.

As for protected designs. I don't know too many bridles and such that is protected.

I have a saddle maker friend across town who builds enduance saddles and his design is definetely protected , but I build an endurance saddle that you could copy all day long. It's been my experience that there is little in the horse gear world that is specifically protected. Some hardware, a couple rigging styles, a few tree styles.

Genaric and common tack is pretty much fair game.

If you have any doubt, look it up or choose not to build it. I've never had the tack police show up at my door in 20 years.

Happy trails GH

[HorsehairBraider]

*GASP* Don't you have a horse to measure?! :D

That's what I do - measure the horse. For example, most browbands measure 12" from the edge of the headstall over the forehead to the other edge of the headstall... but that is not necessarily the "best" measurement. People with Arabs or Morgans might not enjoy that browband very much. Measure the horse, that's the best way.

[MarkB]

HI if your looking for patterns I sell some and you can see them at www.cowcampsaddlery.webs.com

Mark

Edited December 23, 2010 by MarkB

[GrampaJoel]

I just use my horse for fitting.

Just measure and make a card stock pattern.fit some more than put it to leather.

It's really pretty simple once you commit your mind to it. Just take one step at a time and everything goes by smoothly.

That way it is your own and don't have to worry about hearing that you copied someone else.