Prep for success

Before I start building Winslow's bridle, I have some prep work to do. To that end, I pull up my reference photo and start making a list of all the hardware items I will need. In this case that's one bit, six buckles, two buckle keepers and four conchos.

Because it is most important part of the bridle, I always start with the bit. Winslow wears a loose ring snaffle. There are a lot of lovely cast bits I could use, but sometimes I like to go old school and make my own instead.

I choose a pair of appropriately sized jump rings and fit them with a small silver bead.

Using a small dot of super glue, I secure the beads over the gap in the jump rings. Voila! I have a bit.

Next, I tackle the buckles. I pull out my hardware organizers and choose two buckles for the cheekpieces, one for the throatlatch, another for the curb strap and then two for the mecate.

I clip the buckles free of their sheeting with photo etched side cutters. I cut the sprues flush with the buckle and sand the cut area with fine grit sandpaper. The double loop buckles are gently bent into a U shape, and tongues are added. The tongues are much too long. They're easier to trim when attached to a strap, so I'll do that later.

The buckles on the cheek pieces are paired with metal keepers. I cut those off their sheeting and gently bend into shape.

On to conchos! These are cut, sanded and then shaped with doming punches.

Although it's okay to use the conchos as is, I find doming them adds a lot of dimension.

At this point, I think all the harware is done.

I gather it up and put it inside a job box.

There's nothing more frustrating than spending so much time prepping tiny parts only to have them "disappear" before you need them. The job box keeps them safe, sound and findable.

Next step, leather!