Icelandic bridles

There were a million different headstalls at Reykjavik's large Lifland tack shop, but decoration aside, they were all remarkably similar - black leather, browband, simple bit hanger with buckles at the bit ends and another buckle at the crown.

Here's the bridle I bought for Olive. You can see how simple its construction is.

None of the bridles at Eldhestar had browbands, but otherwise they were exactly as described above - a simple bit hanger with buckles at the bit ends and another at the crown.

There were different types of bits at Lifland, but every horse at Eldhestar wore a simple, loose ring snaffle.

Although I prefer to ride Olive without a noseband, both Lifland and Eldhestar, were heavily invested in drop nosebands. Here's one on the display at Lifland...

and one in use at Eldhestar.

These were put on separately, after the rest of the bridle. The chin strap fits over the bit

The hanger goes over and behind the bridle's hanger.

It's hard to see because all these horses were hairy, but that crossover is really important. It helps anchor both pieces into place and keeps the bridle from sliding down the horse's neck.

This is what happens when you don't place the noseband properly.

During breaks, we were told to take the nosebands off and wear them around our necks.

This made it easier for the horses to eat, although most of the nosebands were loose enough that the horses were able to eat just fine anyway.

The reins were narrow, grippy rubber with different colored stops and no center buckle. They attached to the bit via snaps, trigger to the inside always.

During breaks, we unsnapped the near side and ran the reins through the bit, effectively creating one long lead. Here's the right side...

and the left.

Surprising to me, the horses were often tied by the reins.

The only time we saw halters was in the trailer.

The horses wore halters over their bridles while hauling out to the trailhead.

In you go, Salvör!

The bridles came off for the return trip. This was more comfortable for the horses and made it easier to turn them out directly into the pasture.

As a long time English rider, I found the tack in Iceland easy to understand and comfortable to use. I liked its simplicity and practicality, and I look forward to eventually making some in 1:9 scale.