Questions about western headstalls.

Okay, this probably sounds like a really stupid question...

I’m looking into buying a cheap nylon western headstall to use when I’m trail riding because we like to go through water. The last time, my horse completely soaked our nice leather english bridle. I was wondering about two things...

One, would the fact that most of the cheap nylon headstalls don’t have a nose band affect him much or at all?

And two, could I just use the same english bit I have on the western bridle?

I know these are probably really silly questions, but I have only ever ridden english and I've never had to really learn much about tack and it's effects (concerning noseband, or no noseband). I think after 8 years of riding I should be learning a little more! Thanks for the help!! I really appreciate it!

As far as the noseband goes, most horses don't really notice a difference. My horse rides with a nose band english and without one western and there is no real change.

For the bit, your english bit will hang just fine as they work the same.

If you are concerned about a noseband or just want something to hack around in, try a trail bridle. I love mine, its like a halter with bit hanging attachments. It comes in real handy if you like to stop for a bit while out riding, you can drop the bit and attach a lead and bam, your ready to lead! You can usually find an inexpensive used on on ebay or in a consignment tack shop. Some of them are really cute!

A nylon headstall? I have never seen or heard about a nylon western bridle. I assume your talking about a bridle because you want to put a bit on it. No noseband just means there's no noseband, I've never found/seen any horse act like there's a difference. You can buy cheap western bridles for about 30$
I've never heard of a nylon one, but I assume they can't be that comfortable for the horse when they're wet...
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Yep Nylon Headstalls or bridles. :)
http://www.horse.com/item/nylon-browband-headstall-reins/WCM06/

That's pretty much what I'm looking into, just without the bit. I'm just going to use the one I have at home. Just something cheap and easy for hacking around in.

Thanks for the replys though! I wasn't sure if having a noseband would make much of a difference. I didn't think it would, but I thought I would get some advice before I gave it a shot!

Ridergirl, they're pretty popular for trail riding in my area as they are cheap and come in tons of colors for the kiddos. When they get wet, they dry out faster than leather.

Most horses won't even notice a change in noseband-to-no-noseband. He should be fine. Same with the bit. With nylon bridles, there really is no change in how the bridle feels on the horse. Mostly the same with Western bridles, too.

Yes, I've seen a lot of inexpensive nylon bridles at my tack store. They are more common in the 'pony' section, but they are also still available in horse size. I wouldn't think they would be any more or less comfortable wet than a cheap leather one would be. If you're going through such deep water that your bridle is getting that wet, I'd be more concerned about your saddle, lol.
I recently saw a video on youtube that showed 2 girls 'swimming' with thier horses. The first one out was riding bareback, but the second one came out wearing an english saddle!!!

Haha don't worry, we go bareback. There's no way I would put my saddle through that trauma! LOL! And even if we're not deep, he's a total dork and likes to splash his face around in the water a lot. Silly boy!




Thanks again to everyone for the advice!

Whao! I've never seen one of those before, ya learn something new everyday!
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