Hello world! My name is Mary, and my dog is my best friend. His name is Bandit, and he's a spunky little rescue. He hates to be left alone, and I'll admit that he once broke through a screen, walked several miles to where I was, and sat outside the cafe waiting for me. Since I work from home and don't go out often, I spend a lot of time with him. However, in most cases, owners would need to crate train their dogs in those situations. Anyway, wherever you are in your relationship with your dog, I hope you find what you need in this blog. It's going to be a mixture of fun tips, ideas, and facts. Enjoy!
Give a Dog a Bone: Blogs About Pets and Toys
The Pros And Cons Of Choosing A Leather Halter For Your Horse
Amber Knight
As you browse the selection of halters at your local tack shop, you'll notice that there are some made from leather and others made from nylon. Which type should you buy? Should you spring for the leather halter, or should you stick with the cheaper nylon? That depends on your preferences. To help you decide, take a look at these pros and cons of leather halters.
Pro: Leather looks more professional.
When you look at photos of horses in magazines and even on professional websites, they are usually wearing leather halters. Leather is just the traditional material used in the horse world, and leather tack is simply seen as classy and classic. If you take your horse to shows or other events, a leather halter can help convey a polished, professional look that helps other competitors and the judges take you seriously.
Con: Leather requires conditioning.
Leather does tend to dry out over time. It needs consistent conditioning in order to prevent it from cracking and becoming brittle. You can buy many different leather conditioners for just a few dollars per container. Applying them is not difficult, but it does take time. If you don't see yourself committing to this maintenance, then leather may not be the best halter material for you.
Pro: Leather will snap under pressure.
Now, this may not sound like a benefit of a leather halter at first. But if your horse pulls back really hard when tied, you want the halter to snap before the horse injures itself. Nylon halters are actually much stronger than leather halters and won't snap as easily, so the horse may become injured. Leather will snap sooner, which can be safer in some situations, particularly if you have a really nervous horse or a young horse who you suspect may pull back.
Con: Leather halters may be more apt to rub some horses.
Leather tends to be stiffer and heavier than nylon. As such, it may rub some horses behind the ears and along the nose more readily than nylon. You can put fleece over the leather to help with this, but that does change the look of the halter. Many horses don't have this issue, but if your horse has sensitive or thin skin, then a leather halter may not be the best choice.
Leather halters are a classic choice and, as long as you're willing to maintain them, they tend to be a good choice for many horses.
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