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It completes the set composed by this bridle and this collar breastplate.
It's the first girth strap I make and it's a long time I wait to attempt. The principle is the same I've used on the breastplate: the green skin is too thin for whole padding (and I feared in an odd result, too), so I kept it only for the color accents, much more protected from wear.
Detail of the 1" stainless steel buckles stitched on 1" 1/4 elastic band.
Here's a detail of its back, too.
Making this had been fun and very instructive: I started from the main body, made out from panel hide and neoprene. During the cutting session I had to consider how produce a nice and effective cutout shape.
Then I applied the padding, my usual neoprene foam sheet, keeping borders free from that so I could stitch them together in a nice way.
After preparing the 4 buckles coupled with elastic band, I made the green details and glued them together with the center stap and assembled all the parts using green thread, as on other items from this set. Once finished, I stitched the two pentagonal "tops" and, voilĂ ! My first girth strap is done!
A new pair of dressage reins for a lady from Fargo, North Dakota. Extra long ones (64"), made in black plain leather, with buckle billets:
A new bosal, made with black rope and brown lacing. Cob sized, stainless steel rings.
A new breastplate!
Dark havana leather and green leather for accents, strong elastic inserts at both ends, stainless steel fittings.
It will match this bridle I made a few months ago.
Dark havana leather and padding, stainless steel buckle and dee and 49 white Swarovski cristals. It measures 19" 1/2 at middle hole.
A new version of this piece of tack, this time in conker leather, with stainless steel buckles and rings, nickel-plated brass rollers and Sam Browne's and, last but not least, new beige rope (high toughness PP rope).
A pair of new split reins in hazel leather with stainless steel dees. They measure 7' 1/2 x 5/8" (230 cm x 16 mm) and last 17" are balanced by stitching a series of small leads between the leather.
A detail of quick-change billets:
Lunge line made in 5/8" x 4 m cotton rope. The rope was originally white, I dyed it with a simple, organic and durable method, then I stitched the leather tails at both ends.
A friend from Finland sent me this nice summer picture, showing his mare wearing one of my bitless bridles complete with laced reins (this and these).
Warm, bright summer day... good omen for the spring to come!
So you won't think I'm idle, belly scratching or sleeping...
First one is The Big Classic:
Hazel leather, caramel padding, brass oval buckle. It measures 3/4" x 15" 3/8 at middle hole.
Other one is a re-edition of the smallest rolled collar I've made until now:
Australian nut leather, brass fittings, 1/2" wide at the buckle.