Bridle

Origin

Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel; akin to Old English bregdan to move quickly

• before 12th Century

Definitions

• 1: the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit and reins
• 2: a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull; especially : rigging on a kite for attaching line
• 3: curb, restraint <set a bridle on his power>

Description

A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit.

Headgear without a bit that uses a noseband to control a horse is called a hackamore, or, in some areas, a bitless bridle. There are many different designs with many different name variations, but all use a noseband that is designed to exert pressure on sensitive areas of the animal's face to provide direction and control.[1]