Need help with possible bridle.

[TiredIron]

We dug this item up in Southern Colorado last week. It appears to look like a possible bridle although rather crude. Its also rather narrow for a bridle. Perhaps some of you here can shed some light on this for me.

Thanks
TiredIron

 

[stefen]

Pictures need to be reduced in size...

However, its not a bridle but possibly a bit...

A bit is part of a bridle assembly...

 

[kuger]

Looks like a gag bit

 

[oldsledz]

Pretty sure it is not a bit.

 

[kuger]

Pretty sure it is not a bit.

Looks like one to me,but I cant tell the pics are too big

 

[stefen]

Sorry about the picture sizes.....I wish there was a button that said.....make pics smaller.
I'll have to find some teenagers to help me.

 

[traderoftreasures]

Sorry about the picture sizes.....I wish there was a button that said.....make pics smaller.
I'll have to find some teenagers to help me.

if for instance you have a 12 megapixel camera you can go down to the smallest megapixel and it will make the picture smaller. like you can go to 1 or 2 megapixel or vga setting

 

[TiredIron]

Here is a picture of a very similar bit......similiar but not exactly the same.
http://www.nm.blm.gov/features/dinetah/disk_images/modern_arch/bridle_bit_600.jpg

Bridle bit
Spanish Colonial, ca. 1700-1740
Three Corn Pueblito, LA 1871
Morris excavations, 1915, #372
University of Colorado Museum, Boulder

 

[haybudden2]

It certainly looks similar to the one the
University of Colorado has identified as
a Spanish Colonial bit. It is slightly different,
but very very similar.
Southern Colorado was under Spanish
and Mexican control prior to 1836 or so.
If the date is 1700-1740 that's a pretty old
piece of Tack.
GREAT FIND.

Hay2

 

[haybudden2]

I don't think there is any doubt
that this is a Spanish colonial
1700-1740 Bit. I sketched in
the missing hardware.

Interesting find.

Hay2

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I don't think there is any doubt
that this is a Spanish colonial
1700-1740 Bit. I sketched in
the missing hardware.

Interesting find.

Hay2

Thats some amazing sketching. How did you do that?

 

[traderoftreasures]

excellent graffic art skills.

 

[Breezie]

That's a wicked looking bit. Congrats on a great find! Breezie

 

[TiredIron]

Thanks for the doctor'd photo Haybud.....that certainly helps look at it like the other one that was found.

Tirediron

 

[traderoftreasures]

i agree its not an exact match just close

 

[haybudden2]

Thanks for the comments on the graphic.

BUT, If this was an Indian Head penny or a
misshapen bullet, you guys would be all over it,
GREAT FIND, Way to go, WOW, NEAT!!!
With the exception of Beezie, I don't
think anyone sees what a neat find this is.
Southern Colorado, (Spanish territory at the time)
Spanish Colonial Horse tack........come on !!!!!
If it were clean and straightened out, it would
be just like the one in the museum.

Hay2

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks for the comments on the graphic.

BUT, If this was an Indian Head penny or a
misshapen bullet, you guys would be all over it,
GREAT FIND, Way to go, WOW, NEAT!!!
With the exception of Beezie, I don't
think anyone sees what a neat find this is.
Southern Colorado, (Spanish territory at the time)
Spanish Colonial Horse tack........come on !!!!!
If it were clean and straightened out, it would
be just like the one in the museum.

Hay2

Those comments are usually reserved for Todays Finds. We generally congratulate the person that made the great ID lol.

Great find TiredIron. Did you post in Todays Finds?

 

[stefen]

This is a tremendous find and worthy of display, privately or in a museum, as-is...

Just as a side comment...the Spanish had a number of bits and spurs which are quite severe and go beyond the cruelty to animal limits. Some spurs are like razor spikes and can literally gut an animal...

A gag bit, is a useful bit for training and can be used for a head strong animal only...but training is the key....sometimes a copper roller bit is the better choice...keeps the horse occupied...

A hackamore or bozel (no bit), is my choice, and is more than adequate for a majority of horses...again, its training...

My daughter rides with nothing more than a leather thong (single rein) over the horses nose and actually controls using body language (shifting legs)...again, its training....

 

[kuger]

This is a tremendous find and worthy of display, privately or in a museum, as-is...

Just as a side comment...the Spanish had a number of bits and spurs which are quite severe and go beyond the cruelty to animal limits. Some spurs are like razor spikes and can literally gut an animal...

A gag bit, is a useful bit for training and can be used for a head strong animal only...but training is the key....sometimes a copper roller bit is the better choice...keeps the horse occupied...

A hackamore or bozel (no bit), is my choice, and is more than adequate for a majority of horses...again, its training...

My daughter rides with nothing more than a leather thong (single rein) over the horses nose and actually controls using body language (shifting legs)...again, its training....

Amen to all of the above Stepha!Sounds like your daughter uses a war bridle

 

[stefen]

Actually a war bridle is dangerous even when used by a trainer...have seen them used (dad) where a few ounces of downward pressure can bring a horse to its knees...

Tamara uses a long leather thong (boot lace) with one end wrapped ln a loop around the horses nose just for head control...uses legs for signaling commands...