Pat developed this lovely Snaffle Bridle with rough out leather and cream and chocolate metate reins. This is a premium grade bridle created with the finest materials.
Parelli bridles, bits and reins are specifically designed to offer you clear communication, a reliable feel, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your horse is comfortable, safe and totally in tune with you. They are easy to adjust and resistant to sweat, with beautiful brass fittings (and no screws). The Parelli Snaffle Bridle is an elegant but sturdy bridle for everyday use with matching rein leathers and chin strap.
How to safely tie horse using Horseman's Reins
How to assemble the bridle set
I love the look of two-toned leather. There's something really stylish about it for me. - Pat Parelli
Our Snaffle Bridles are a valuable tool for more sensitive and precise communication with your horse, and are designed to be easy to adjust, to provide long-lasting use, and to be comfortable for your horse.
Pat was training and showing reining cow horses in the 70's and early 80's. He was one of the first trainers to use this style of rein in Snaffle Bit futurity competitions. At first he used horse hair, but they were expensive and delicate. Once he discovered the benefits of the yachting braid, he quickly adapted this more durable and long-lasting material in the use of his reins.
Something you might not know is that Pat worked in a saddle shop as a young man, and learned the differences in types of leather. This is why you usually see oil-tanned leather such as harness leather or latigo on most of his headstalls because when horses sweat, it easily rots most other kinds of leather.
The reins being 22 feet long, and the fact that the bridle has rein leathers, enables you to use it as a 22-foot ground-training line, or, run them completely out the other way and go behind your horse and have a set of ground-training lines. The rein leathers serve as a fulcrum and a counter-weight which slows your hands down but at the same time speeds up the release to the horse which is why horses respond so well to this piece of equipment.
Sweet Iron Snaffle
Not too thick or too thin, the 5 1/4" sweet iron snaffle bit is at the center of this bridle making it a versatile communication tool thanks to the design, which allows the rings to swing without pinching. It is a single-jointed, loose-ring snaffle designed for riding on a casual rein (FreeStyle Riding). Made from sweet iron (as opposed to stainless steel) with fine copper inlay (to encourage salivation), it offers the horse a sweet taste. The loose rings allow the horse to adjust the bit position as desired. The snaffle bit is intended to be used for teaching, controlling, reinforcing, and refining lateral flexion and is a great tool to use for your Porcupine Game when riding. It is to be used mainly with a sideways pull for lateral flexion. It's thin to discourage leaning, designed for control and to be used with one rein at a time.
Horseman's Reins
These reins are an Adaptation by Pat Parelli of traditional Spanish Mecate (horse-hair) reins. Adjustable 8-9" loop rein and 12' lead line. Invaluable and versatile rope-reins ideal for ground prep, riding, teaching, tying and even long lining! What's really nice about these reins is the way they feel for both horse and human. Especially for use with a snaffle bit, attached by Rein Leathers that match your bridle and offer float and elasticity. Features: ½" yachting braid, 22" long, leather popper on weighted end, tassel. Can be lengthened to 22" Line or fully extend the loop for driving reins
Rein Leathers
Rein Leathers or Slobber straps are weighted, just like the Hackamore knot, to act as a hinge between the rider's hands and the horse's mouth to allow for soft and subtle communication. They pre-signal the horse because they feel the leathers move before the bit makes contact, thus improving sensitivity, responsiveness and feel. They slow contact and speed release because of their weight. Features: Long leather straps that loop through the bit and feature holes to accommodate rope Horseman's Reins.
Chin Strap
Designed to prevent the snaffle from sliding through a horse's mouth, should he or she resist, the chin strap is a classic western piece of equipment that you attach to the snaffle. When used with a snaffle, the chin strap is not designed to be a curb that is tight or applies pressure. Features: Stitched leather (Natural West design) with fine brass buckles, and single popper with heart knots. Pat Parelli was raised in Northern California and worked on big ranches in Oregon, Nevada and California. Many of the cowboys there, also known as Buckaroos, rode their young horses in a hackamore with the mecate rein, which is a 22-foot rope made of horse hair. Soon, a new trend was started using the mecate rein with a Snaffle Bit. The advantages were that the loop rein stayed on the horse's neck if you dropped it, unlike when using split reins, and you always had a 12-foot lead rope when you are on the ground fixing fences or