Don’t Ruin Your Model’s Appearance With A Poorly Fitted Halter!!
You’ve finally purchased
your favorite stock-horse model...MINT condition...and are ready to take a show
photo. You decide to put a silver show halter on your model...this simple
decision could essentially eliminate your model from the competition if the
halter is not adjusted properly!! Unfortunately, something as easily changed as
the halter-fit can ruin the picture...especially if the halter hangs loose and
gives an overall sloppy appearance!!
How should the halter fit? The halter
should conform to the model’s head...fitting snugly behind the jaw and under the
throatlatch.
a) The noseband should be positioned approximately halfway
between the eyes and the nostrils. Common Mistakes: 1) having the check piece
too long...placing the noseband too low on the model’s head; 2) the diameter of
the noseband is too small...causing it to remain too low on the horses head.
b) The cheek piece should be parallel to the cheekbone on the horse.
Common Mistake: Having the throatlatch too short...making it impossible to put
the cheek piece in the correct "parallel" position.
c) The crown strap
should fit "closely" behind the horse’s ears...but not so close as to pinch
them!!
d) The connector-strap between the chin strap and the throatlatch
should fit "snugly" along the under side of the model’s head.
What about
chains? Chains over the nose cause the halter to "pop up" over the ridge of the
nose...which detracts from a smooth appearance. If you insist on using a chain
in a "control-type" fashion...it would be better to run the chain under the chin
and up the right side of the halter. However, in our world of "miniature"
equines where "control" is not an issue, a better choice would be to simply
"loop" the chain portion of the lead shank through the center slot on the chin
strap of the halter and attach the snap to the ring where the chain joins the
leather!!
Remember...just because the "proportions" of the halter are
correct for your model...the design may not be the most flattering for your
model’s head. The thickness of the leather...width of the straps...and placement
and size of the silver give each halter a unique appearance.
NOTE: The trend in "model" showing is NOT to show your "halter"
horses with a halter!!! Halters are reserved for showmanship, halter obstacle,
etc.
All halters model by OJF Ultra Suede owned by Susan
Hargrove.
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Crown strap is too long and the throatlatch is too short causing...1) the cheek piece to be much to low on the side of the head...and 2) the noseband to be too close to the nostrils! | Adjusting the crown strap to the
proper length corrects the other "fit" problems with this
halter. |
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Again...the crown strap has been adjusted much too long...causing 1) the throatlatch and chin strap/throatlatch connector to hang loosely under the head...2) the cheek piece to be out of position and 3) the noseband to be must too close to the nostrils. | Again...just by adjusting the crown strap correctly...all of the other "fit" problems of this halter have been eliminated. |
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Another example of the crown piece being adjusted TOO long...causing the halter to detract from the appearance of the model rather than "enhance" it!! | Simply by adjusting the crown piece correctly...the halter now is an attractive addition to the model. |
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A lovely halter that is just the wrong size for this model!! The crown strap is adjusted orrectly...but the cheek piece is TOO long...causing the noseband to rest too close to the nostrils. | Another beautiful halter that is not appropriate for this model. There is no way to adjust the straps so the halter will fit the model correctly!! |