Why You Should Wear a Halter Under Your Bridle – Horses of the Ozark Hills

There I was, riding on Max down a dirt road. The sun was warm on my face and a slight breeze floated through the air. Coming to a fork in the road, I cued Max to stop. But He didn’t. Max has never really stopped when I say “woe,” but when I tighten the reins he always listens. Yet, this time it was like I had no reins, leaning forward I saw that I didn’t! Max’s nose band on his bit-less bridle had broken, I had no way to truly control him. I managed to slow him down enough so I could slip off. Examining the nose band, I saw that it couldn’t be fixed. I had no bridle, practically no reins, and was a 25 minute ride from home. What was I gonna do?!?!

When going on a ride away from the barn, do you leave your horse’s halter on under his bridle, and the lead rope tied around the horn? That might seem a little unnecessary, and I thought so too, yet I did it out of habit. Because years ago when I couldn’t saddle my horse, my father would for me, and he always left the halter and lead rope on under the bridle, tying the lead rope around the horn. So when I found myself on a dirt road, away from home, riding a horse with no bridle, I was very thankful that I had a halter and a lead rope on my horse! 

Seeing the lead rope and the halter on Max’s head, I proceeded to take off his bridle and put it around my horn. I then clipped the lead rope to one side of the halter and tied the other end of the rope on the other side of the halter. Using my make-shift rains, I was able to ride home safely. 

I now have to go shopping for a new bridle for Max, but more importantly, I will continue to leave the halter and lead rope on under my tack! This however isn’t the only reason to be prepared. Leaving the halter and lead rope on is a good idea when working with junior riders, and even with more advanced riders, it allows for an easy way for someone on the ground to lead the horse if needed. This also saves time, as the halter and lead are already there for when you dismount and untack. 

In all, I just wanted to share this experience and maybe the next time you go on a ride away from the barn, or are going on a long trail ride, you can be prepared! 

Tails & trails, 

Reese 

*

PS. Here’s a cute pic of my little sis who was riding with me and witnessed the whole thing. *Note the rope halter and lead on under Holly’s bridle.*