Chat
08-04-2021, 07:29 AM
I definitely recommend using bits if you're going to drive a team. Halters are just too confusing because of their tendency to slide before engaging. This messes up the distance between your goats' reins and creates inconsistent signals.
I don't recommend attaching a bit to the Sopris (or any other) halter. Once again, halters are designed to be looser than bridles and would probably make the bit wobble around to much in the mouth. Get a flat piece of 1/2"-3/4" wide leather or nylon and make a strap to go over the head. You can attach it to the bit using conway buckles or Chicago screws. Make sure the headstall has a buckle and closely spaced holes for easy and proper adjustment. If you use nylon I recommend doubling it so it's not floppy. Burn holes with an awl heated on the stove. Leather is easier and quicker to work with so I recommend it over nylon. For the noseband, make a strap with a buckle at one end and holes in the other (like a dog collar). Slide it through the doubled-over portion of the headstall where it attaches to the bit. Make sure when you're making your headstall that this loop is large enough to go around both the bit ring and the noseband. Doing it this way has two functions. It holds the noseband in place and ensures that the bit can't slide through the mouth under any circumstance. It may also put a little pressure on the goat's nose to assist during turns. If your goats have horns then you don't need any other straps to hold the bridle on. The horns do a wonderful job of keeping it firmly in place. Oh, and the top of the headstall (the crown) goes behind the horns and in front of the ears.
I don't recommend attaching a bit to the Sopris (or any other) halter. Once again, halters are designed to be looser than bridles and would probably make the bit wobble around to much in the mouth. Get a flat piece of 1/2"-3/4" wide leather or nylon and make a strap to go over the head. You can attach it to the bit using conway buckles or Chicago screws. Make sure the headstall has a buckle and closely spaced holes for easy and proper adjustment. If you use nylon I recommend doubling it so it's not floppy. Burn holes with an awl heated on the stove. Leather is easier and quicker to work with so I recommend it over nylon. For the noseband, make a strap with a buckle at one end and holes in the other (like a dog collar). Slide it through the doubled-over portion of the headstall where it attaches to the bit. Make sure when you're making your headstall that this loop is large enough to go around both the bit ring and the noseband. Doing it this way has two functions. It holds the noseband in place and ensures that the bit can't slide through the mouth under any circumstance. It may also put a little pressure on the goat's nose to assist during turns. If your goats have horns then you don't need any other straps to hold the bridle on. The horns do a wonderful job of keeping it firmly in place. Oh, and the top of the headstall (the crown) goes behind the horns and in front of the ears.