by LaceyKnight | Feb 12, 2025 | Browband, Horses, Leather goods
A rhinestone browband isn’t just an accessory—it’s a way to express your style while complementing your horse’s natural beauty. But with so many colors, shapes, and styles available, choosing the perfect one can feel overwhelming! This guide will help you find the ideal rhinestone browband based on your horse’s coat color, your riding discipline, and your personal style.
1. Match the Browband to Your Horse’s Coat Color
Certain colors enhance your horse’s natural tones, making their features pop! Here are some general guidelines:
- Dark Bay & Black Horses: Jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, or rich burgundy stand out beautifully. Metallics like gold and silver also add a striking contrast.
- Chestnut & Red-Toned Horses: Warm tones like amber, copper, or champagne complement their coats. Deep blues and greens can create a bold contrast.
- Grey & White Horses: Almost any color works, but pastels, cool blues, and deep purples look especially elegant.
- Palomino & Buckskin Horses: Earthy tones like bronze, topaz, and soft rose gold enhance their golden hues.
2. Consider Your Riding Discipline
Your choice of rhinestone browband should align with your riding style and competition rules:
- Dressage Riders: Bold, elegant designs with larger stones or intricate patterns add a touch of refinement.
- Hunter/Jumper Riders: Classic, subtle bling works best—opt for neutral tones or a single-row design for a polished look.
- Eventers & Trail Riders: Go as bold as you like! Vibrant colors and unique patterns let you showcase your personality.
3. Reflect Your Personal Style
A rhinestone browband is an extension of your personality! Ask yourself:
- Do you prefer subtle elegance? Try a single-row browband with neutral or metallic stones.
- Love bold, eye-catching bling? Go for wave designs with contrasting colors and bright rhinestones.
- Want a theme or special meaning? Some browbands feature patterns or colors inspired by just about anything and everything. Read product descriptions to learn more about each one!
4. Prioritize Quality and Fit
A well-made rhinestone browband should be both stunning and durable. Look for:
- Strong stitching and high-quality leather for longevity.
- Securely set rhinestones that won’t fall out after a few rides. All of our stones are hand-set to ensure their security so you can enjoy them, ride after ride!
- A comfortable fit—ensure it sits properly on your horse’s forehead without pinching. Need help finding the perfect fit?
Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect rhinestone browband is about balancing color, discipline, and personal style while ensuring comfort and durability. Whether you go for classic elegance or bold sparkle, the right browband will make both you and your horse shine in and out of the arena!
What’s your go-to browband style? Share your favorites below!
by LaceyKnight | Feb 12, 2025 | Browband, Leather goods, Tack care
A rhinestone browband is more than just an accessory—it’s a statement. Whether you love bold, flashy designs or elegant, subtle sparkle, a well-maintained browband enhances your horse’s look and ensures your tack stays in top shape. But let’s be real—dust, sweat, and everyday riding can dull that shine. So, how do you keep your rhinestone browband looking brand new? Here’s everything you need to know!
1. Regular Cleaning: Wipe Away the Dust and Grime
Your rhinestone browband picks up dust, sweat, and barn dirt faster than you think. To prevent buildup:
- After each ride, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any surface dust.
- For deeper cleaning, dampen a microfiber cloth with water or a mild leather cleaner and gently wipe the leather and rhinestones.
- Avoid soaking the browband—excess moisture can loosen stones over time.
2. Use the Right Cleaning Products
Not all cleaners are created equal! To preserve both the leather and the sparkle:
- Use a gentle leather cleaner for the browband itself—harsh chemicals can dry out or discolor leather.
- For rhinestones, a tiny drop of mild dish soap diluted in water works wonders. Apply with a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to get into the crevices without scratching the stones.
- Never use alcohol-based cleaners or abrasive pads—these can damage the shine and loosen the settings.
3. Store It Properly
Proper storage prevents unnecessary wear and tear:
- Keep your rhinestone browband in a soft cloth bag or padded bridle rack when not in use.
- Avoid tossing it into a tack trunk where it can rub against other gear and get scratched.
- Store in a cool, dry place—excess humidity can weaken glue settings, while extreme heat can cause leather to crack.
4. Handle with Care
Rhinestones add undeniable glamour, but they’re delicate!
- Avoid dropping or bending your browband, as this can loosen or dislodge stones.
- Be mindful when adjusting your bridle to avoid tugging on the rhinestones or pressing them against hard surfaces.
- If you notice a loose stone, secure it with a tiny dab of jewelry glue, or take it to a professional for repair.
5. Give It a Professional Refresh
Even with the best care, rhinestones can lose some of their brilliance over time. If your browband needs a little extra TLC:
- Take it to a leather specialist for professional cleaning and conditioning.
- If stones become dull or missing, consider a custom replacement or upgrade to keep your browband looking as dazzling as the day you got it.
Final Thoughts
Your rhinestone browband is meant to shine—so keeping it clean and well-maintained ensures it stays the centerpiece of your horse’s bridle. With these easy care tips, you’ll keep your browband sparkling ride after ride!
How do you keep your tack looking its best? Share your favorite care tips!
In the mood for some sparkle? View our rhinestone browbands here.
by LaceyKnight | Feb 2, 2025 | Browband, Horses
You’ve spent countless hours online scrutinizing colors, patterns, brands, and sizes. But it’s coming down to the wire. It’s time to choose your horse’s browband. Like most people, you have probably taken into consideration what would look the best, but what if you could get a browband that conveys something about your horse’s unique personality?
Dreaming of Dragons
We have a browband called Dreaming of Dragons. It features one color of crystal on a black leather, wave-shaped band. The crystals are dark and broody, but they flash colors like yellow, lime green, magenta, purples, and blues. It’s one of those all-encompassing crystals that carries all the colors of the rainbow, only to allow them to pop under the right conditions. It’s absolutely beautiful.
But does this browband mean your horse must have “dragon status” in order to wear it? We think not. This browband is for horses with multi-faceted personalities, ones that shine under the right conditions and who may need a little encouragement, light, and love to sparkle their brightest.
Just like the dragons of myth, some horses possess an undeniable presence—powerful, mysterious, and full of depth. Others hold their brilliance quietly, revealing their fire only when the moment is right. Dreaming of Dragons is more than just a browband; it’s a statement piece for the horse who has layers, who may appear dark and brooding at times but holds an entire spectrum of light within.
Whether your horse commands attention with confidence or needs a little nurturing to reveal their inner glow, this browband is a reflection of the beauty that lies beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to shine.
Fade to Black
Our Fade to Black browband is pretty much the opposite of Dreaming of Dragons. On black leather with black sparkle piping, you’ll find an ombre pattern with riveting black crystals in the center, slowly fading to silver and then bright white on either side.
This browband means the horse is straightforward, always on, always shining. Fade to black is no frills, which suggests that the horse has talent enough to cover the simplicity of the design with their own unique flair. This browband is perfect for those with horses who don’t need a lot of color to wow in the ring and who have no problem coming back down when it’s time to leave the arena and just be ‘horse and human’ again.
Fade to Black is for the horse that doesn’t need embellishment to make an impression—the one whose presence alone is enough. It’s a nod to the partnership between horse and rider, where skill, connection, and quiet confidence speak louder than any bright colors ever could. Whether they’re lighting up the arena or standing peacefully at your side, this browband complements a horse that carries their own natural brilliance, effortlessly transitioning between performance and partnership.
Carnaval
At the opposite extreme is Carnaval. We almost need not write anything about this one because it speaks for itself. Based on Brazil’s colors and the annual festival they have, Carnaval is its own celebration of light, vibrancy, and all things flashy.
If your horse is wearing Carnaval, they have an inner light that is impossible to dampen. They are bright, alert, slightly wild at times, and may have a hard time coming back down once they leave the ring. Horses wearing Carnaval have lots of personality and the moves to back it all up…even if they aren’t moves in the desired direction.
Carnaval is for the horse that turns every moment into a performance, the one who thrives on energy and excitement. They don’t just enter the arena—they make an entrance. With a spirit that refuses to be contained, this browband is a tribute to the horses who bring joy, brilliance, and a touch of chaos wherever they go. If your horse wears Carnaval, they aren’t just along for the ride—they are the celebration itself.
The Turquoise & Terracotta Browband
Turquoise and Terracotta is somewhere near the middle of the spectrum in terms of flashiness. It features bright turquoise stones along with vibrant padparadscha, golden honey, and special rondelles that also feature padparadscha surrounded by bright turquoise to match.
This browband is beautiful, yet it doesn’t scream high-performance jumper, dressage horse, or eventer at heart. It has a relaxed and softer vibe, which does say, “I’m a hunter who likes my work” Or “I take care of people on the trail, but I look fabulous while doing it.” This horse will be relaxed, an absolute sweetheart, and generous to their human companions in every way.
Turquoise and Terracotta is for the dependable partner—the horse that carries themselves with quiet confidence and effortless grace. They may not demand the spotlight, but their presence is undeniably felt. This is the horse that greets you at the gate, takes care of their rider, and moves through life with a steady, kindhearted spirit. They appreciate the finer things, but above all, they value connection, trust, and the simple joy of the ride.
The Phoenix Browband
One of our favorite browbands, the Phoenix, is yet another example of a browband that might match a horse’s story along with their personality. Rising from the ashes, this browband would be great for rescue horses who proved everyone wrong once they found the right home or horses who have overcome injuries or illness to come back and take the world by storm.
It’s flashy, but just the right amount, suggesting your horse is humble yet knows his or her worth. It’s just the right mix of “Let me show you what I’ve got” and “I am well aware of what I’ve got, and I don’t need to flaunt it.”
The Phoenix browband is for the horse that has faced challenges and come out stronger, wiser, and more radiant than ever. This is the partner that has nothing to prove but everything to give—a horse that carries their past with quiet dignity and embraces their future with fire in their heart. Whether they’ve overcome adversity or simply embody resilience and grace, this browband reflects their journey, their strength, and the undeniable brilliance that was always within them.
At the End of the Ride…
Whether you choose a browband that simply exemplifies your favorite color/s or you want something that matches your horse’s particular storyline, we hope that you can see that each and every browband does, in fact, share a little bit about the horse behind the leather.
We encourage you to go with your intuition, listen to your gut, and reflect upon why you might have chosen a specific browband if it’s not altogether obvious upfront.
In celebration of horses everywhere.
Sincerely,
Envisioned Equestrian
by LaceyKnight | Jan 27, 2025 | Browband, Gratitude, Horses, Inspiration, Leather goods, Uncategorized
It all started with jewelry. I was crafting sparkly accessories to pair with some new dresses I absolutely adored. One afternoon in September 2024, while my husband and I were driving somewhere, I mused aloud, “I wish I could make browbands.” Dave, ever the optimist, simply replied, “Why can’t you?”
That was the spark. That moment grew into an office overflowing with tack, walls lined with crystals, and endless hours spent researching materials, manufacturers, and trends in the luxury tack industry. It was a journey I hadn’t anticipated but embraced wholeheartedly.
Dancing Like Nobody’s Watching
Someone recently asked me why I’m doing this. The best answer I could give was that it feels like dancing like nobody’s watching. There’s freedom in artistic expression—in pouring your heart into something and putting it out into the world. It might succeed, or it might not. You might face embarrassment, or you might not. But at the heart of it, your contribution adds a touch of beauty to the world, something someone else might need. And for me, that beauty takes the form of rhinestone bridles and browbands.
An Affinity for Rhinestone Bridles
When I was younger, every time a new horse entered my life, my favorite ritual was finding the perfect bridle. I’d spend hours flipping through catalogs, evaluating styles, and imagining how they’d look on the horse. This was long before the internet, so catalogs like Dover, Stateline Tack, and Dressage Extensions were my treasure troves. I had them memorized, page by page.
Despite the variety, most bridles back then lacked character. Crystals and rhinestones had yet to make their way into mainstream tack. Clinchers and chains were the extent of “bling,” and even those were more common in eventing than dressage. For dressage riders, bridles were—quite literally—black and white.
The first rhinestone bridle I remember seeing was an Otto Schumacher. It featured sleek black patent leather, plush white padding, and a delicate browband with dazzling white crystals. It was a revelation, a beacon of elegance in an otherwise stark world. That memory stayed with me.
The Return to Bling
For a time, I stepped away from tack. I worked with a natural horsewoman whose training methods emphasized the pure connection between horse and rider, unadorned by anything flashy. I learned invaluable lessons about reading and understanding horses, but eventually, the rhinestones called me back.
One of Einstein’s quotes hangs near my dad’s workshop: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” My dad often added, “Why not both?” Tack-making embodies that sentiment. It requires knowledge—of materials, sizing, equine physiology, and design—but the creative possibilities are endless. That’s what excites me about this work.
Discovering Halter Ego
A month into making browbands, I discovered Halter Ego. Their products were stunning. I thought, “This is what I want to create,” but at a more accessible price point—perhaps half, or even a quarter of their cost.
Finding a great manufacturer is no small feat, but I was fortunate to connect with one early on. We’ve spent countless hours collaborating, and their support has been invaluable. Still, Halter Ego’s designs continued to inspire me. I asked myself: Would people prefer two or three rhinestone browbands for the price of one? I imagined riders swapping out browbands to match their pads and wraps, creating a cohesive, polished look. That’s where my vision took root.
The Birth of a Brand
When my first shipment of browbands and halters arrived, I scrutinized every stitch. To my surprise, the quality rivaled that of Halter Ego. I was thrilled. My little experiment was working, and my brand was officially born.
The bit in my brand comes from my soul horse’s hunter bridle. Envisioned was his name, and that KK D-ring Snaffle was the berries. So, why not use it since all of this is really about things I would have wanted for him?
Expanding to Rhinestone Bridles
Transitioning from browbands and halters to full bridles was a natural progression but required careful planning. Every detail—from stitching to crystal placement—had to contribute to a cohesive design.
As a child, I loved drawing horse portraits, and I still do on occasion. When I see a horse in one of my bridles, my mind immediately envisions a portrait—a celebration of their natural beauty, enhanced by the sparkle of rhinestones. Designing rhinestone bridles feels like an honor, a way to highlight the grace and elegance of these incredible animals.
Where It All Leads
Today, I’m surrounded by bridles, sticky notes, and sparkly creations, typing about my favorite subject: rhinestone bridles and browbands. Who would have thought a few dresses from Sundance would inspire this passion project?
To those who share my love of equestrian bling: I want to hear from you. What designs have you dreamed of but haven’t seen in the world? Let’s collaborate and bring those visions to life—for the horses.
