Over the past year, I've gotten my hands into tackamaking. I've made at least 10 peices, but so far only two different items. Halters, and a single western saddle pad. Working on these halters, I feel, has greatly improved my work and prepared me (to a degree) for more complex projects.
Easy to Obtain Materials: Simple leather halters can be made using leather lace, jump rings, and a little jewelry wire. For tools an exacto knife, glue (tacky or superglue both work) and needle nose pliers (with cutters). I was able to find all these materials at either JoAnns or Michaels.
Builds Foundation Skills: Halters benefit greatly from being properly prepared for, like any project. I learned to skive (or reduce bulk) leather with this lace. Learning to make buckles with the jewelry wire also serves well for so many other tack items, such as bridles, girths, harnesses or pack saddles. For the non-horse savvy, it is also a great chance to get the hang of horse research, for proper fit and construction. Below is a close up of skived leather (not the fuzzies from there not being a sealer) and a "buckle" made of two jump rings, before I dared make my own.
Repeatable Project: Being fairly cheap and simple in construction, it is no major issue. if a mistake is made, just try again :) Plus doesn't every horse need, at least, one halter?! Glen, an older clydesdale foal of mine, has at least three as I try new techniques or ideas.
Variations as Tackmaker Advances: There's no shortage of "extras" one can do to make their halters more realistic or more personal. Better hardware could be bought, online such as those Rio Rondo offers. A name plate, rolled throat latches, or stitch markings can be added. I initially used simple friction buckles (a simple figure 8 type shape) but you can make buckles with working tongues, fitting into holes punched into the crownpiece for a more secure fit.
Next time I'll be talking about Halter Types, and how they pertain to the model horse world :) Do you know any other beginner-friendly tack peices, and how did you get started tack making?
Easy to Obtain Materials: Simple leather halters can be made using leather lace, jump rings, and a little jewelry wire. For tools an exacto knife, glue (tacky or superglue both work) and needle nose pliers (with cutters). I was able to find all these materials at either JoAnns or Michaels.
Builds Foundation Skills: Halters benefit greatly from being properly prepared for, like any project. I learned to skive (or reduce bulk) leather with this lace. Learning to make buckles with the jewelry wire also serves well for so many other tack items, such as bridles, girths, harnesses or pack saddles. For the non-horse savvy, it is also a great chance to get the hang of horse research, for proper fit and construction. Below is a close up of skived leather (not the fuzzies from there not being a sealer) and a "buckle" made of two jump rings, before I dared make my own.
Repeatable Project: Being fairly cheap and simple in construction, it is no major issue. if a mistake is made, just try again :) Plus doesn't every horse need, at least, one halter?! Glen, an older clydesdale foal of mine, has at least three as I try new techniques or ideas.
Variations as Tackmaker Advances: There's no shortage of "extras" one can do to make their halters more realistic or more personal. Better hardware could be bought, online such as those Rio Rondo offers. A name plate, rolled throat latches, or stitch markings can be added. I initially used simple friction buckles (a simple figure 8 type shape) but you can make buckles with working tongues, fitting into holes punched into the crownpiece for a more secure fit.
Next time I'll be talking about Halter Types, and how they pertain to the model horse world :) Do you know any other beginner-friendly tack peices, and how did you get started tack making?
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