The Art and Allure of Custom Tooled Headstalls for Horse Tack

The Art of Custom Headstalls

A headstall is an essential piece of riding equipment for any western rider. This critical gear sits on a horse's head and allows the rider to maintain control while mounted. While utilitarian in nature, headstalls have also become an avenue for riders to express their personal style and showcase craftsmanship.

What is a Headstall?

A headstall refers to the assembled straps and rings on a western bridle that fit on a horse's head. Typically made of leather or synthetic materials, a headstall includes:

• Browband - Goes behind the horse's ears, over the poll
• Crown piece - Goes over the horse’s head, behind the ears
• Cheek pieces - Attach to the bit ring or the bit
• Throatlatch - Prevents the bridle from slipping off

Together, these pieces allow riders to safely control horses for western performance events like reining, barrel racing, roping and Western pleasure showing. The headstall works in conjunction with the reins attached to the bit in the horse's mouth.

Customization for Style and Personalization

While historically utilitarian and plain, modern headstalls have become a way for riders to showcase artistry, customization and their unique sense of style. Custom-tooling, coloring, embellishments and personalized detailing have made headstalls into wearable works of leather art.

Intricate tooling patterns etched into premium leather, glittering crystals, hand shaped conchos and customized name plates enable riders to design headstalls as unique as their personalities and talents. Special details like horse shoe shapes, breed logos and flags make the gear irreplaceable for sentimental horse lovers.

The Art of Tooled Leatherwork

Most custom headstall artwork features expert leather tooling and stamping. Using specialized implements, leatherworkers can indent designs into leather surfaces. This ages-old technique creates gorgeous textures and shadows in negative space.

Modern masters create scenes like wild horses galloping across ridges, cattle skulls that mimic Southwestern art and intricately etched flowers or vines. Geometric patterns and basketweave textures add interest and depth. Precisely aligned and spaced patterns demonstrate a leatherworker’s fine motor skills and design talents.

Coloring and Finish Techniques

To make tooled designs pop, color is often added to background leather. Special leather dyes and finishes like antiquing are hand rubbed to make details stand out through color contrasts. The finishing process waterproofs and protects leather pieces, allowing them to better withstand wear and sweat.

Some other coloring techniques found on custom headstalls include:

• Staining - For a transparent, natural look
• Spray coloring - Bold, lightly mottled color
• Airbrushing - Soft blended color shading

The coloring and finishing process is equally as skilled and artistic. Masters know special techniques to make their custom gear truly eye catching.

Unique Embellishments Dazzle

Other decorative custom touches seen on headstalls include:

• Crystals - Swarovski or high quality Austrian crystals add rainbow sparkles.
• Conchos - Hand shaped metal plates with intricate designs.
• Name plates - Customized name plates identify a horse and rider.
• Acrylic inserts - Molded acrylic flowers, stars or shapes.
• Rhinestones - Glittering accent rhinestones.

These decorative touches make the headstalls true show-stoppers. They transform functional leatherwork into wearable art.

The Allure of Custom Headstalls

For those obsessed with honoring the Western lifestyle and cowboy culture, custom-made headstalls are the pinnacle. They allow deep personalization not available off the shelf and help communicate riders' values and love for their horses.

Beyond functionality, specially designed and crafted headstalls confer status. A one-of-a-kind tooled and bejeweled headstall announces you and your horse's presence well before you enter the arena. These special pieces often become family heirlooms passed between generations.

Owning custom headstalls also supports small family run leather workshops committed to keeping leathercraft skills alive. Each item purchased supports hours of highly skilled labor.

While plain nylon and basic leather headstalls still prevail at many barns, custom works stand out as bold symbols of riders' dedication to the Western way of life. The equines sporting intricate and dazzling headstalls well represent years of practice and participation in the community.

For those obsessed with honoring the Western lifestyle and cowboy culture, custom-made headstalls are the pinnacle. They allow deep personalization not available off the shelf and help communicate riders' values and love for their horses.

FAQs

What is the hardest part of making a custom headstall?

Mastering the intricate tooling designs takes years of practice. Perfectly spacing stamps and making clean lines and edges in the leather requires excellent fine motor skills.

What types of leather work best?

Top grain cowhide leathers like Hermann Oak Tooling Leather work best. Quality leather withstands stamping and tooling without tearing and takes dye easily.

How long does it take to make one custom headstall?

It often takes leather artisans over 25 hours to design, carve, dye, assemble and embellish one custom headstall. The work must be done slowly and carefully by hand.

What makes custom headstalls so expensive?

The high price comes from the mastery of the leatherworker. Each piece takes hours and decades to perfect the skills. Quality custom work commands premium pricing.

How can you tell a high quality custom headstall?

Hallmarks include perfectly aligned and spaced stamping, expert dye technique, symmetry, exact stitching, crystal quality and hand-crafted embellishments.