Best Western Bridles &
Headstalls of 2023
See Our Top Choices for Browband, One Ear, Split Ear, and More
We may take for granted the simplicity of a headstall, but it is one the most important pieces of tack we use to communicate with our horse. When searching for your next headstall, it may feel overwhelming to find just one with the plethora of choices on the market. In this article, we will focus on a few factors to consider when picking one—along with our five favorite headstalls of the year!
Western Headstall Styles & How to Choose
A headstall, otherwise known as a western bridle, typically comes in three different styles: browband, sliding ear, and split ear. The discipline you ride, personal preference, bit type, and even horse behavior are all factors that may influence the type of headstall you purchase. The headstall stabilizes the bit in your horse's mouth, whether it's a non-leverage (direct pressure) or leverage bit (indirect pressure). If you're unfamiliar with this terminology, we suggest you take a look at our guide on bit cheekpieces.
Some riders may choose a "bitless" headstall, or hackamore, if their horse is sensitive to a bit or has been trained to neck rein. Whichever type of headstall in whatever material you prefer, this tack piece needs to satisfy the requirements of both you and your equine partner. For additional information, please view our full article on how to choose a western bridle/headstall to learn more about the ins and outs of this integral tack piece!
Our Top Western Bridle/Headstall
Choices by Type
| Best Browband | Martin Saddlery 5/8" Doubled & Stitched Headstall |
| Best One Ear | Berlin Hermann Oak One Ear Headstall w/ Tie |
| Best Split Ear | Berlin Custom Rope Split Ear Headstall Bridle |
| Best Hackamore | Professional's Choice Schutz Loping Hackamore |
| Best Halter Bridle | Berlin Beta BioThane Halter Bridle |
| Best Design |
Circle Y Beaded Headstall Bridle Brown/White |
Best Browband Headstall
Martin Saddlery 5/8" Doubled & Stitched Headstall
If you are looking for a versatile, hardworking headstall with timeless style, then the Martin Saddlery 5/8" Doubled & Stitched Headstall is for you! Made from premium leather that is doubled and stitched over, this headstall is exceptionally soft and durable. The browband styling makes this headstall appropriate to use with any type of bit, while the lace ties make changing your bit a breeze. Plus, the stainless steel buckles won't rust and make for quick adjustments. We enjoy the simple look of this headstall.
Honorable Mention: Weaver Working Tack Browband Buckle Bit Ends HeadstallWe love this headstall by Weaver for its durable leather and super easy buckle bit ends, which allow for fast bit changes as necessary. Being highly adjustable on both sides, you can quickly swap this browband headstall onto any horse-and-bit combo. |
Best One Ear Headstall
Berlin Hermann Oak One Ear Headstall w/ Tie
Tough enough for the ranch yet pretty enough for the show ring, the Berlin Hermann Oak One Ear Headstall is ready for your next adventure. Made from durable Hermann Oak harness leather, this headstall has a broken-in feel right out of the package. It can even be oiled darker for your desired look. Subtle yet beautiful floral hardware adorns the cheek pieces, while the sliding ear design is easy to customize to your horse's head. To round out this impressive package, lace ties make swapping out your bit easy and effortless.
Honorable Mention: Berlin Hermann Oak One Rolled Ear Headstall w/TieWe enjoy the rolled ear feature of this headstall because it's ideal for horses with particularly sensitive ears. There are a few equine partners that simply do not like having something secured over one ear, and the rolled ear design offers a softer feel that can help ease their discomfort. |
Best Split Ear Headstall
Berlin Custom Rope Split Ear Headstall
The Berlin Custom Rope Split Ear Headstall Bridle was made for the rider who likes minimal tack. Crafted from diamond braided Polypropylene rope, this headstall is extremely simple and practically maintenance-free. It's easy to adjust the traditional split ear (like tying a rope halter), and the knot bit ends allow for quick bit changes. There is absolutely no hardware on this rope headstall, so you don't have to worry about any metal parts rusting or corroding.
Best Hackamore Headstall
Professional's Choice Schutz Loping Hackamore
The Professional's Choice Schutz Loping Hackamore is a great choice when you want to give your horse a break from the bit. Ideal for green-broke colts or a seasoned horse with an inexperienced rider, this hackamore headstall is designed with a four-plait nylon noseband and harness leather. Stainless steel hardware prevents rust, and 17-foot poly braided reins offer good grip and a soft feel in any riding condition.
Honorable Mention: Royal King Browband Bosal Headstall with Mecate ReinsThis headstall by Royal King is made from rich leather with a traditional rawhide core bosal, which is a great option for a variety of horses. The mecate reins and leather popper at the end of the lead section of the rein make this headstall an ideal training tool. |
Best Halter Bridle
Berlin Beta BioThane Halter Bridle
The Berlin Beta BioThane Halter Bridle allows you to have a halter and headstall all in one, making it perfect for the avid trail rider who doesn't want to dirty up their nice leather headstall. Synthetic BioThane is durable and easy to maintain, so you can feel good about this halter bridle's longevity. The quality stainless steel hardware won't rust over the years, while snaps at the cheeks allow you to easily take the bit on and off as you need to.
Honorable Mention: Zilco Deluxe Trail Snap-On Bridle Headstall - StandardThis headstall by Zilco is classic in style with an extremely lightweight design, and it simply snaps on over a rope halter. You can leave your horse tied at the trailer and barn, then easily slip this innovative headstall over their ears while leaving their rope halter on the whole time. |
Best Design
Circle Y Beaded Headstall Bridle Brown/White
The Circle Y Beaded Headstall Bridle Brown/White is eye-catching with its conchos and beading that is sure to stand out. The bead colors, simple tooling accents, and contrast stitching all come together seamlessly on this high-quality headstall. The bold and stylish design is not only pretty to look at, it's also functional with lace-tie leather bit ends and adjustable buckle attachments!
Honorable Mention: Circle Y Classic Floral Tooling Browband HeadstallIf you prefer more of an understated look but still want style, then this headstall by Circle Y is for you! The floral tooling on darker walnut leather is beautiful and will look great on any horse, without any extra frills. The stainless steel hardware will also hold up to any riding activity. |
Closing Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed diving into our favorite western bridles and headstalls in this buying guide! At Riding Warehouse, we want to help you make an informed purchase when choosing horse tack, so you can have the best horse riding experience possible. Our staff has decades of horse experience, and we've grouped these best western bridles and headstalls based on their quality and style, as well as our customer feedback. We aim to have an option for every type of rider, and we encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com if you have any questions. Happy riding!
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