Tallman Training Centre

PolyBraid Bridles

I have been making my own bridles for the past 10 years, and have become quite practised with the design for my 6-strand "PolyBraid" Bridles. For the past few years, I have also made bridles for other horse folk, and now I am offering them to you.

As a trainer, I favor this design of bridle for many reasons:

Environmentally friendly - I use recycled bale twine, saving as much of this readily available product as possible from being buried or burnt.
Low maintenance - poly twine is very long lasting and durable. It does not require oiling, rarely needs cleaning, and is easy to clean when it does. Simply wash it in warm water and a mild detergent or disinfectant. If you have a run in with ring worm or some other undesirable, you can leave the bridle soaking in a betadine solution as long as you want, then rinse well and hang to dry - ready to ride. Note - poly twine will break down if left in direct sunlight for a long period of time. It is recommended you do not store your bridle outdoors in direct sunlight.
Easy on horses - the nature of the braid is quite airy, reducing the tendancy to sweat and rub. Also, the flexibility of all strands reduces the tendancy to build up dirt. I have never had a PolyBraid Bridle sore a horse, and I have only had to clean them for hygenic purposes (never because of dirt build up).
Very adjustable - because of the nature of the braid, it is fully adjustable from the full length of the crown piece right down to half the length of it (though if you are ordering a bridle for a smaller size horse, I recommend specifying a pony size, as it is neater when adjusted toward the larger size available.)
Unique - so far, there are not really a lot of them out there. And even for the number of them, there are, so far, no two alike. Obviously, this will not always be true, but there are many variations [see below for more details on]:

color options
brow band/throat latch options
buckle options
custom options

My PolyBraid Bridles are Guaranteed - if you experience a defect in the construction of the bridle, return the defective part for a replacement. These bridles will withstand many years of regular use. Guarantee does not cover extreme use: horses should never be tied in the bridle (this bridle is not likely to break if the horse gets hung up), bridle may deteriorate if left in direct sun for prolonged periods of time. (Regular riding the range for 10 years has not deteriorated my main bridle, see below.)

Here are two examples of bridles I have made.

This one [image at left] I have been using for 10 years. It is one of the first ones I made. It has a throat latch with a snap, which tends to hang below the jaw. This has been my primary headstall for the last 10 years, it has been on many, many horses for many, many hours of use. It is a tri color, with 2 strands of each color. It is fully adjustable from a pony to a small draft, although the throatlatch on this model has some restrictions, and will be too small on more than a fine throated draft, and is too small on some thick throated average horses. (Pictured on a long-2-year-old Percheron/QH cross filly - about 15.2 hh)

This version [at right] is just 2 colors, and sports a browband from a derilect English headstall, which I am fond of. The throatlatch is a knotting type, which is tied like a rope halter (with a sheet bend, aka halter knot) and allows for more adjustability. (Pictured on a 6 year old QH - about 14.2 hh).

Options are many and variable:

I can make the brow band / throat latch match exactly, as in the first example, or I can make it a solid color, as in the second (or anything in between).
Throat latch is available with a snap (which will ride below the jaw out of site, and is not as adjustable as other options) or "halter-knot style" (loop and end).
Brow band options available are:

one-ear (curb bridle)
two ear-loops (curb bridle)
standard straight brow band (snaffle bridle) [as in examples pictured here]

If you are shopping for a specific horse and won't need to change sizes often, I can make it with leather ties in place of the buckle (still adjustable, though not as readily). I can also put leather tassels on the brow band (where you would find a concho on some western headstalls). This looks particularly good when the bridle is adjusted with leather instead of buckles.
The standard buckle [shown here] is very easily adjustable and preferrable if you tend to use one bridle on many horses. This style of buckle eliminates loose ends and the need for keepers, and has a very neat appearance. It is available in chrome and, when possible, brass.
If you have an old bridle that you have retired (but was an old favorite), I can incorporate pieces of it into the new bridle [as in the brow band on the green/black bridle.]
Any variation of the following colors:

BLUE
BLACK
ORANGE
BLUE/WHITE
SISAL (natural fibre - non-poly, gives a bridle a nice rustic accent, though is not quite so durable as poly, ie. more susceptable to rot, should not be left wet for prolonged periods)

If you are interested in owning a Handmade PolyBraid Bridle for yourself, or as a gift for someone, please e-mail me for a quote. Most bridles will be around $30. Please note this is for a headstall only, with optional matching bit strap (for snaffle bridle only). I recommend leather reins with ties rather than Chicago screws.

BY REQUEST - I can design a matching breast strap (breast plate, breast collar). I have considered this for some time, but not having a shortage of breast straps, I have not yet made one.