Saturday, November 17, 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.

Another area which encourages up-market bling is barrel-racing. If you want harness leather, you can choose from black, pecan, dark brown, walnut or tan. These all look great when stylishly embossed. You might prefer to have the hair left on the hide.

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.

Once you've chosen the type of leather, you will want to consider what color will suit your mount. Darker tones can get lost on dark coats but may suit greys and pintos. Decorative tooling is an option. Conchos can be custom made to suit your needs. Choose Swarovski crystals or zircons to add sparkle and fire to conchos.

Even decorative tack needs to be strong. Heavy duty harness leather is usually doubled for use in headstalls. Triple stitching ensures harness doesn't fall apart. If you choose broncho nosebands and wide cheek-pieces there will be stacks of room for painting your horse's name on the article. Or you can choose metal letters to add a name. Headstalls vary from standard to one and two eared types. Scalloped brow bands and breastplates are very attractive. Buckles blaze with color and light.

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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