How to Assemble a Western Bridle With Bit

The following steps will guide you to assembling a western bridle with a bit.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Western Bit
• Western brow band or ear loop
• chin strap
• reins
• crown strap
• cheek straps
• nose-band
• throat-latch strap

1. 
   Western Bridle Assemble

   Lay out all the pieces of your western bridle for assembly.

2. 
   Western Bridle crown and ear piece

   Slid your ear piece or brow band over crown strap to begin assembling your western bridle.
   
   Add your cheek straps on either side. Attach them by matching the buckled ends to the holed ends of the crown strap.

3. 
   Western Bridle Assemble

   Next slide the throat-latch strap through the loops of the brow band. There will be two loops on your brow strap, the first for the crown strap and the second is for the throat-latch strap.
   
   (Note: most western bridles with ear bands don't usually have throat-latch straps)

4. 
   Western Bridle

   Attach nose-band to cheek straps. There are usually looped ends around either side of your nose-band that you slide up over your cheek straps.
   
   (Note: you may or may not have a nose band on your western bridle depending on the design of the bridle. This is an optional piece.)

5. 
   Western Bridle Bit

   Unbuckle the lose end of each cheek strap. Turn horse bit in the direction you would slide it into the horses mouth. Attach top looped ends into the open end of check strap and buckle in place.
   
   If you are using a snaffle or broken bit there will only be one large ring on both sides of the bit for attaching both to the headstall of the bridle at cheek strap and the reins.

6. 
   Miniture Western Bridle Chin Strap

   Attach chin strap through the same loops as the cheek strap. Make sure you place the chin strap on the last hole for largest adjustment until you can adjust it later to fit your horse.
   
   Chin strap should hang in the back part of the bit and the rear side of the bridle.

7. 
   Western Bridle Reins

   Attach reins to bit on bridle.

8. Place bridle on horse and make necessary adjustments to headstall, chin strap, and throat-latch strap for proper fit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are taking your bridle apart to clean it, make note of where the pieces go to put it back together.
• There are several different types of western bridles, your bridle may not have the same features as some else's bridle. For example, ear loop vs.. brow band. Nose strap vs. none.
• Keep a spare bridle in your tack. It come in handy should your main bridle need repair and can give you a guide to assemble another western bridle.
• Don't get frustrated trying to assemble your western bridle. If you are unable to assemble your bridle, even after reading this article, take it to a local stable, tack shop, or ridding club for assistance.