IDHSNA inspection tack

All of the horses presented at the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America's (IDHSNA) SouthWest Inspection were dressed in an English bridle with attached lead. 

There was a slight preference for dressage type bridles with the swoopy style browbands. 

Here's another one.

This one had a shamrock on the browband, which I found very charming.

The Irish Sport Horse mare, Bailey, wore a Micklem style bridle...

and the dark grey Irish Sport Horse stallion was dressed in a brown hunter bridle.

Here's the bridle that really caught my eye! I just love the extra wide, flat brow and nosebands and the traditional stud bit.

Onto leads!

Some of the handlers used a chained shank or rope which was attached through...

or two the bit rings.

The others employed a plain lead which attached to the bit via a connector strap.

I spotted a couple different types of connectors. This one looks to be made from a single strap of leather...

while this on is two separate pieces, both attached to the center ring.

I don't make a lot of tack these days, but you know, I still enjoy taking tack reference photos. And who knows? I really like those little connector straps. I just might have to make one for myself!