Native American mane decoration

This turned out to be a fun and "learn on the fly" type of project. I took step by step photos in case anybody's interested, but the main ones are here.

First thing to do was bead the medallion, using fabric stabilizer. Now I've done this technique before but it was more a freeform style, and for the medallion "look" I figured it was harder so off to the internet where I printed a page to guide me through it. What I learned from that was either buy a book on medallions/ Indian beadwork, or trust my own eye; because copying every single bead made my design a bit off and I admit it is. However for a first try and its' intended purpose Im happy with it, but Ive since ordered a couple of books to aid the next attempt.

The beadwork took the longest, naturally, but Im hoping as I get more familiar it too will get faster. Next up was the feathers, so I raided my fly-tying stash for some nice ones that would work, and trimmed turkey feathers to be rounded on the ends. the others are hackles for fly tying....

...and used my fly tying thread to make a few wraps to secure the smaller feathers to the large ones. A dot of elmers glue was enough to secure at this point. I also cut off some of the small feathers' shafts to eliminate bulk under the leather. 

Both feathers waiting, it was time for leather. I cut 2 strips about 1/2" wide or so, and about 16" long, I didnt measure, just eyeballed it. I also cut 2 circles to fit the beadwork. 

I dont know how authentic this method (below) is, but it's what I chose to connect the feathers and make the ties to hold it in the hair. I just made it up as I went. First a dab of E600 on the back to start things, and laid 2 colors of embroidery floss so the skiens were next to the feathers and the tails were on the feather shaft. More E6000 on the shaft and I wound the leather down about an inch. Then chosing which color of floss, began to wind that tightly, first around the feather to make the same bulk as leather, and then onto the leather itself. This makes the glue squish at the seams but that's ok, it's gonna hold the thread too. 

For changing colors add a dab of elmers to help hold the thread at the back of the feather, and start winding the other color, burying the first color's tail. Do NOT cut the floss yet! It is like those freindship bracelets I did as a kid, but not quite.

To end the floss and make a neat appearence: When I had what I wanted of the floss,  I go to the back of the feather, make sure I have E600 on the feather shaft, and lay the thread tightly underneath the leather, then wrap the leather as usual, effectively hiding the ends of floss. 

When I reached the end of the shaft, I made an extra "winding" beyond it. Made sure it has E600 inside, and squished it flat, or fold it over. Immediately I had to sew it to the leather circle, once the glue dries it will be a pain to deal with, so figured out the placement of the feathers and begin sewing. I used Outdoor thread I got at Wallymart and a few stitches also on each side of the shaft to help strengthen that area. Keeping in mind that how it's sewn is going to affect how the feathers hang, frequent checking how they look is important!

Place the second circle of leather on the first, and press it to see where the ties lay. Marking with a pen  on the second circle of leather where they are, so I know where to cut 2 slits for the ties to go through. Thread the ties and then E600 the leather pieces together. I used a butterknife to push the leather down around the feather shafts so they were covered and not "gappy" in that area. 

Next I carefully alligned the beadwork to the front and E6000 the back of it to the leather. Sometimes more rounds of beads are added to finish the edges using picots or whatever a person wishes, but being this is going to be on a horse I dont want the edges to get caught on horsehair and threads break, so I am skipping that step for this particular  item, and will see how it fares in use. 

 To use it, all I have to do is start a braid in my horse's mane, and then using the ties as part of the braid continue on and secure the end. My horses are used to this kind of fuss, but if anyone wants to make thier own to use --Make sure your horse is used to such things, because the feathers have weight but will still fly around! If you are nervous he may spook, get him used to the concept by using wide ribbons or such rather than something you just spent hours on, and when he is no longer fazed by it then try your art piece. I cannot and do not accept any liability for any accidents, what's presented here is simply something I made for my horses and the steps needed to create the item.  

When it ever quits raining round here I will have the horses model it properly :)

the Suffolk Bridle, first impressions...

So here it is, right out of the box. All I know about its history is the person I bought it from had it for 2 years and bought it used as well, and used it several times a week. It seems to be holding up alright then given all that, but is really gunky and dirty, like it was oiled and oiled (the leather is supple) while dirty. So with all that gunk to deal with it was time to break out the big guns....

This stuff is awesome, just be sure to wear latex gloves and follow the directions. It will bring leather back to it's original state so let's begin. (It also does not darken leather, so perfect for light tack!)

and here is the first round with the cleaner. Already it has gotten rid of the grime and the true color of the padding and stitching can be seen, it looks like the pic in the Dover catalog now. It will have to dry overnight before I can do step 2 with the conditioner but already it is looking better and the putrid smell is gone. I was worried it would smell like India leather (omg so gross) but I think it was just all the gunk on it cuz I dont detect anything now. (I have cleaned India tack with this stuff and there's no getting rid of that horrid smell, it's just permanent with that stuff) 

Update: And here it is now, after a couple of coats of olive oil applied and left to dry, and then finally Step 2 Conditioner to seal it up. It looks almost new again and

the leather is wonderful and soft. It acts like a satin ribbon actually, it is so buttery or flexible or whatever you wanna call it....

The only thing I've found wierd on this bridle is the way the reins are at the hook ends. As you see the stap is just bluntly cut. My other bridles (except Gatsby,which has simple hook ends like this, but the leather is skived to be flatter) all have an extra flap of leather to reinforce the wear on this area, and it's a feature I really like. So I dont know what to make of this- being the bridle has been sold twice now who knows even if these are the original reins but

even with that small difference my opinion of this bridle is I would definately buy it new. I mean really, if one so used can look so good again with just a bit of care, a new one should keep it's function and looks without issue. And bar none it's super soft leather, even the Weavers arent this soft (but then again they are not near as broke in)  So, happy to report that I would add others to my collection and this was a smart buy. Again, my disclaimer is I dont show nor feel the need to blow a fortune on one bridle, so if I like something that's the only approval I need ;) . 

stormy weather...

It has been raining and storming the last 3 days, so there's mud everywhere. This has kept outdoor activities to a minimum, so a good chance to catch up on some indoor stuff. The Suffolk bridle has come but seriously needs a good cleaning, it is rather gross and even smelly. I will have to get some pics and see what it cleans up like before I give an opinion. It made me realize that hmmm, I must really have a thing about clean tack cuz I would never use this as it has arrived, which is just my preference. Which then made me think some more that I've never been 'held accountable' , for being a stickler about it- I dont show so I dont get judged or whatever for how my gear looks, nor has anybody in general horse public ever commented on whether I have clean, dirty, cheap or expensive tack so it's not like Im under scrutiny by anybody (in my area it's just not the thing really, or at least Ive been lucky to not run into it, or probably not even noticed if I did lol) . But I am accountable to myself. And I want my stuff to look brand new as long as possible so that means some extra care. I wonder how it would be if I were to find myself in a boarding situation where it seems, according to youtube, that there's alot of equipment scrutiny, among other things. I would probably be laughed at for alot of things, but dirty tack wouldnt be one of them ;). Probably my "outfit to the barn" though lol... Seriously, in all honesty that's one of the more rediculous things Ive seen on youtube, and it makes me tune out whatever else the person has to say when the outfit means more than the horse and that people ought to film it, and others ought to watch it. Seriously, just show me the horse.  

Sunday morning Fitting, (pic heavy!)

 Here's the lovely Pheonix again, this time with the Gatsby bridle, and a Collegiate Figure 8 noseband in Full size. She is still wearing her halter as you see, being she's in heat, and it's Sunday morning- meaning there's alot of traffic and the pasture shed is only 6ft from the road and alot of gravel gets flung at it, which always makes them twitchy. For safety reasons I left it on so as to not grab at her mouth in this new getup. 

 The Figure 8 is rather huge on the lower straps, but fits to where it needs to be on the top. (I lowered it a few holes after taking this pic) I also need to get it more supple. 

 She was much more relaxed with this bit (plain snaffle) and I was even able to draw up the noseband so it would quit flopping around, though not tightly cuz there arent enuf holes for it. I'm not sure it can even be done cuz of where the raised section starts.  I do realize it should be under the cheek strap, but just fastened it to stop it flopping around. 

 The Peanut Gallery

"Omergerd! Girl, did you get a new bridle???"

"Ooooooo"

"Ahhhhhh"

"Treats?? I'm sure I saw treats!" 

"Worth it!"

such a good girl..... puts up with all these shaninigans...

video on blogger, haveta try it out..

So let's just see, this is from a couple of years ago but I dont have many videos of my horses. Have to change that...

initial fitting...

"Well, this is different" 

is what she seems to be thinking.... Chew, chew, chew. "Definately different"

And after some adjustments to sit just right I think this bridle will work :) . However, the noseband is not her thing, nor the eggbutt bit. For some reason, none of my horses have ever liked eggbutt bits, it's been sitting in my tack for the last 20 years, everyone has tried it but nobody likes it. So... I need to get another of her bits she likes, and I think I will put a Figure 8 on this bridle and see if she likes that better. She's not used to having her mouth kept closed, and likes to yawn and lick alot when bridled, so I want to keep her in that same relaxed attitude. 

But so far at least I know it fits ;)

the Gatsby Bridle review...

And it came today so here's my first impressions. This particular one is the Fancy Snaffle Bridle, with matching reins. First of all, the leather is nice and soft, it came already oiled and ready to go, I had oil all over my hands just from handling it to put a bit on, but that said, far preferable to a "crispy" dried out one! The bit was very easy to attatch due to the softness of the straps, which are also a bit thick and not flimsy at all. However, the strap ends are not as crisp-clean cut as what Im used to seeing, 2 on this particular one are going to need a trim to give nice edges (they are ragged but purely a matter of looks and not function) 

The stitching, shown here on the noseband, looks neat and tidy.

If I were to see this leather in western styles it would be called Latigo, for that is what it reminds me of, the color is a rather burgundy shade but is named Havana. I think of a chocolate color when I think of Havana-colored tack, but it's still a deep brown color, just has a burgundy tint to it, at least new out of the package, and maybe that's the shade these days, lol I havent paid attention the last few years. 

The reins feel nice too, and a bit thicker than the other english reins I have, which suits me just fine. I prefer a heavier rein so I dont need as much 'signal' to the bit, and these have the same feel as the Weaver reins I use. In my own opinion, since my horses dont know english and it's so much bit contact, we are going to have to go slow because they are smooth on the bit, and used to the release of pressure and one handed 'steering'. So a heavy rein might be just the thing to keep it somewhat familiar for both of us, rather than a thin and flimsy one that needs more oomph to signal. I dunno, it's just what I wonder and I dont want them to be all "Lady, get outta my face!" 

All that remains to see is how it fits on my horses, but so far I'm impressed with this bridle. I've paid more for less quality and quality is what matters to me.