CERTIFIED BRIDLE AND TACK MAKER (WESTERN)

CERTIFICATION CRITERIA FOR

WESTERN BRIDLE MAKER

Bridle maker includes all bridle, strap goods, and tack items such as breast collars, saddlebags, reins, and halters for western style riding. Bridlemakers should be able to make anything listed here:

1. Bridle styles

One ear, sliding

Browband

Shaped ear

Show

Retro cowboy

2. Breast collar

. Roping

Show

Wrap around single piece

Retro style martingale

3. Halters

AQHA show halters and leads

Arab show halters and leads

Pony show halters and leads

Stable halters, leather

4. Reins, single thickness or D & S styles

Split

Flat romel style

5. Saddlebags of all kinds

6. Flank cinches: billets and bellybands

7. Stirrups: leather covered

Stitched

Laced

Small cases for accessories on saddles, such as pliers case or hoof

pick case

Repairs on tack items

Miscellaneous re-stitching

Fabrication of replacement parts for tack items

10. Knowledge base

Understand how to measure a horses head for bridles and show halters

Understand how various bits affect bridle fit and usage

Know how to correctly cut straps for best strength

Know about hardware associated with tack construction

Know about leather and leather care

Know leather terms and usage for straps

Know about silver and various silver working techniques for trimming show equipment