Custom Driving Bridle

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Here's a custom driving bridle I made last week. It is pretty plain as the custom bridles go, but it was the first time I'd used this pattern for the box loops and I thought it turned out nice. The fit was perfect; couldn't have gotten it any better. The curved crown really makes a nice bridle. Terrible background, I know, I just didn't have time to set up anything better. The blinds, box loops and winker braces were all made in-house and are 3 things I love to do. There is just something about putting the molds in the press and then taking them out and opening them up to see what you end up with. . .it's like opening a Christmas present when I was a little kid. I did cheat by machine sewing the rounds for the braces. Every once in awhile I'll set up a machine to sew rounds and do nothing but that for the whole day. I put them in a box and then when I need some, I've got 'em and I don't have to spend an hour getting a machine set up to sew just a couple.

[plowboy73]

Very nice and clean. Very nice work.

[Thor]

Very nice indeed. How much are such bridles today?

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Thanks guys! My driving bridles start at $150, one like this with the box loops runs about $250. I could sure buy them cheaper wholesale, mark them up, and still re-sell them cheaper than that, but you are stuck with dedicated sizes then. I get the custom bridle orders for horses that the "off-the-shelf" stuff won't fit.

[Rohn]

Nice work.

[Thor]

Thanks guys! My driving bridles start at $150, one like this with the box loops runs about $250. I could sure buy them cheaper wholesale, mark them up, and still re-sell them cheaper than that, but you are stuck with dedicated sizes then. I get the custom bridle orders for horses that the "off-the-shelf" stuff won't fit.

Considering the fact, that some of those bridles in the same style are being sold around $300 in Canada, I find this a very reasonable price.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Thanks guys, and thank you Thor, it IS reasonable, although it can be difficult to convince people of that. Most folks just don't understand the hours involved in not only building the actual bridle, but in learning the processes, as it is not something you pick up in one or two quick easy lessons. It takes years of practice and a ton of special machinery and tools to do this work, and we should expect to be paid for our investment, just like any other trade. I can and do build higher priced stuff; these cheeks were assembled with buried staples. I'll hand sew them too, but then the price takes a BIG jump.

[oltoot]

I'd like to see your tools for embossing the blinds. I'll bet you didn't pick them up at Wal Mart!

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I'll get some pics today Toot. You're absolutely right about not getting them at Walmart, and I tell people that too. It's a collection I've spent 35 years assembling and learning how to use, and the pieces have come from all corners of the country. The latest set of dies came from Ontario. They were listed on Ebay and I found out about them right here on the Forum! I love showing interested folks this equipment.

[DoubleC]

That is absolutely beautiful, so well made, and I personally think your prices are too low But I guess the right price is what people will spend. You are an artist, don't sell wholesale ones Chery;