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

 

[TiredIron]

I appreciate everybodies comments. This was a dig on private property where an alledged French Trapper in 1820-1830 supposedly built a structure some have called a Fort...... I think it was just his Trading Post. He was squatting on Mexico's Territory and trading with the Ute and Arapaho. When beaver pelt and bison hide demand ceased, bootlegging Taos Lightning to the Indians was his only viable income. Our dig and detectoring has gone on since 1886 when my Grandfather relocated this site as an eleven year old boy. He bought one of the first Fisher Two-Box Detectors in 1931-1932 and claimed to have located the sites water well where he found a rifle/rifles. Now 78 years later my Brother and I scratch dig and detect to try and add validity to Grandads old stories. Over days of digging we have found lead balls, bones, broken knife, cedar wood at 5-6ft, and hand forged hardware. We're never in a location where we could post "Todays Finds"......today. The piece that looked like a bit seemed too small and too brutal to be used as such.....that's why I came here hoping to use the Brain Trust here for ideas. When I was sent the similar pic from the museum....I was surprised at the similarity between the two.....and when Haybudden performed his magic the light really came on.
I really appreciate the members here that work at the historic side of finds....as well as the coin and jewelry hunters. Finding 1800-1850 items in the Rocky Mountain West....is like finding 1500-1600 in the East.
Thanks again

TiredIron

 

[kuger]

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...

I have trained horsesand have rode bucking horses as well,the aparatus your daughter is using is what is called a "war Bridle",it dates back to the Plains Indians and I have used them in a pinch.Not sure what type you are referring to

Thanks for the follow up story!!That really adds to it TI

 

[stefen]

I guess our ideas of a war bridle differ...and yes, Tamara is riding indian style

What I call a war bridle is hank of stiff grass rope that is looped around the neck and crossed over the poll and around the jaw notchs...all are pressure points that are worked in unison...used as a training device for many vices like trailer loading, balkiing at crossing a water hose thinking its a snake...