leather halters

Okay so, I'm looking into getting a leather halter for this draft if I get him. Are leather halters hard to keep clean? I've noticed that almost everyone I've met with horses use nylon. Is there any particular reason that I should get leather? I just think it looks prettier lol.

I think leather is nicer looking, but you can get nylon in your color. I had a hard time finding a leather halter for my draft, because of his hard-to-fit face. So I ended up getting a nice hamilton nylon halter.

Another question. We're thinking about skipping on getting him a saddle because I think we're going to have issues finding one to correctly fit his "dishy" back. SO, we're thinking of instead, just getting a bareback saddle with stirrups. What do you think?

Wow seriously? No one else has any input?

Re: Leather halters:
They are very easy to keep clean. Use a damp rag and wipe, or use a little saddle soap. Condition to soften.
I find nylon much harder to clean.
Leather halters can break easier though, so if you have a puller, they can snap - this can be good or bad, depending; if the horse gets itself into a pickle, it will likely break the halter therefore reducing injury, however... you are out a halter :)
I find leather looks classier and .. well I prefer leather to nylon.



RE: Bareback pads with stirrups:
Very dangerous. Since a bareback pad can slip much easier than a saddle, hang-ups due to the stirrups are more common. As well, since bareback pads are slipprier, it's easier for weight to become unevenly distributed causing the entire pad to slip.
I never recommend bareback pads with stirrups ever.

I prefer leather halters. They look classy and look nicer longer, IF you get a good quality one. You want something made in the USA, Canada, or Europe with SOLID brass hardwear, or stainless steel. I clean and condition my halters 3-4 times a year. They get bathed in and left outside frequently, and usually last a good 5-7 years before they start looking fugly, lol.

My avatar pic is my mare wearing her 5 yr old (at the time) leather halter.

Bareback pads with stirrups can be dangerous. You're better off going with a Cashel Softsaddle, as it has more grip and a little more stability. I would still use a breastcollar with it though .

I don't mind nylon halters, they aren't that hard to clean. Mine is yellow and I can throw it in the washer and let it air dry, it comes out as yellow as ever! I wash my yellow lead rope too.

I still like leather halthers though. My filly, Gracie, has a black one that I just love on her. I only got it because they didn't have any hot pink nylon ones though. My Paint mare fits in my friend's leather halter the same color as JDI's, but it just looks awful on her. I think I would either need a black one or a tan colored one the same as my bridle for her to look good in one. But, I do love her yellow halter!

I personally just like the bright colors more, but there's nothing wrong with a smexy leather halter. =]

Yay replies!!!

I'll look into the price of a good quality leather halter. I can't do much of anything until I see just how big his head is Lol.

We'll skip the bareback pad I think. I can probably just do lunging until I find a reasonable saddle or just work him bareback. I'll look into the soft saddles though =D