Thursday, November 15, 2012

When Buying Custom Horse Tack Take Time To Consider All Options

By Carlene Tibbetts


Custom horse tack personalizes you and your mount. If you want to make an impact in a rodeo queen contest, choose horse bling with care. Breast collars and headstalls are particularly suited to dressing up. Embossing and adornment services are now easy to access and you will be amazed at the variety to choose from. Reins, stirrups and spur straps are other items which can be embellished to match your other harness.

Barrel-racing contestants are also enjoying adding bling to themselves and their horses with ornamented breast collars and headstalls. Harness leather for these comes in several colors including tan, pecan, dark brown, black and walnut. You can also choose leather which has had the hair left on.

There are now some exotic leathers available. Imagine matching breast collars and headstalls with overlays in alligator, ostrich, stingray or snake skin. There is a choice of colors from burnt orange or pink to a black and white zebra print overlay. Contrasting stitching adds another dimension. Choices here include brown, white, black, blue, red and wheaten.

The color of your mount will be a factor when deciding on the color of your harness. White or grey horses look great with dark or bright colors. Pastels or colorless bling stands out against a bright bay or black coat. The leather can be tooled if this appeals to you. Conchos will add fire and brilliance if created with Swarovski crystals.

If you need your harness to be practical and strong, choose heavy duty harness leather. This may usually doubled then triple stitched. Headstalls look great with the horse's name hand-painted on the cheek pieces. Brass lettering is another option. Headstalls may be one-eared, two-eared or standard. Broncho nosebands and wide cheeks allow plenty of room for names. Scalloped brow bands and breast collars will also appeal. Buckles can blaze with light, making a very visual impact.

Conchos come in a great range of styles. The centerpiece may feature a barrel-racing figure, crossed six-guns or a cross. You can even have a favorite photo transferred to conchos. Zircons, Pacific or Swarovski crystals, and opals are available in pinks, blues, greens and purples as well as clear. Most websites allow you to design your own conchos or you can choose from a range. Rivets are available in all colors too.

Rope-edged conchos always look good or you may prefer square, round or heart-shaped. Many headstalls have brass or stainless steel fittings. When going off to buy custom horse tack you will need to allow plenty of time.




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