Bitting a halter

[Scott G]

Taking the issue of blinders/no blinders completely off the table…

Any of you folks bit a halter rather than using a normal headstall/bridle set up? Never really noticed it before and not up close and in person but have recently seen a few pics of wood rat horse loggers using this setup. I’ve routinely ridden with just a halter when the need arises, but not fitted with a bit.

Seems as though it would make sense. Pics show the bit (reg snaffle) snapped to the cheek rings on the halter. It would be kinda handy in the woods as I’m one who always leaves the halter on & the lead rope handy to tie with when I’m doing other things such as running saw, piling slash, pre-setting chokers, etc. Often will slip the bridle off if I’m going to be awhile.

You could tie off of the tie ring without the issue of pulling on their mouth or just unsnap the bit and stow it with the lines on the hames.

[Ira]

Yes, I have. I made up some straps that snapped into the top of the cheek piece so that I could get better adjustment on the bit. Used them for a couple of years on the team I had at the time.

[Roscoe]

In Switzerland, Austria and Germany is/was the use of halters with bits common for work harness. A little metal piece in shape of a “T” is with a short chain atached to bit. It’s way easier and faster, specially if you really work with horses. Since the hitch is not bigger then a team, there is no reason to use blinders…

[Donn Hewes]

In Roscoe’s pictures you see a cross between a halter and a bridle. The nose band continues under the chin. That would be a useful addition to a bridle. I have used a bit with a regular halter a few times in training and other experiments. The only thing to watch for is that the halter be fitted well enough and stable enough to give the bit a secure, steady ride. I think that is why the photos show a bridle / halter hybrid. Donn

[Andy Carson]

I have a combination halter/bridle that I have used for riding before. It is similar to the photo below. My horse doesn’t think she is working unless she has blinders on, and I haven’t felt like curing her of this as yet so this combo simply collects dust now. It is indeed very very handy for tying. Taking the bit in and out (at least with this design) is not as easy as it might first appear. It looks like you can attach one clip, swing the bit through the mouth and then attach the other clip. My horse (at least) detests this and insists the bit must be put in strait. It takes a little practice to be able to aim the bit into the mouth while holding onto both clips to attach the bit holders to the headpiece. I hook the ring ends over my pinkies while holding onto the clips with my thumbs and pionter fingers. That allows me to gently and precisely place the bit without having to regrab the clip ends. After I get the bit in, I let the bit holder straps (name?) slide between my pinkies and ring fingers while moving my hands up to clip in the straps. It sounds more complicated than it is… Once I got bit placement down, the setup was pretty slick.

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