Unique and Beautiful Browbands

Karen at Just Equus offers innovative and stunning decorative browbands. They caught my eye because most decorated browbands for English bridles use the standard leather browband as a base, adding a line of stones, beads, ribbon or metal across the center of it. Karen, on the other hand, creates browbands using flexible wire to hold multiple strands of beads, which are attached to the bridle with decorative leather fasteners. Her beaded browbands replace the original browband entirely, and can be easily changed to suit your mood, presenting a very striking appearance.

Karen told me her longstanding interest in horses and her background as a graphic artist and architect led to jewelry making and product design experience, which led to the invention of the browbands. She says:

I wanted to create a browband using real elements as they have different metaphysical properties, which, historically, symbolically, and spiritually have different meanings... 
Horses teach me about my/our connection to each other and the universe.  They lead me/us into this natural awareness simply through their sensitivity, our relationship with them if we are open to it, and the simple experience of riding as one with them in nature or wherever. 
The browbands (set against the background fur color) remind me of this when I see them adorning a pretty horse's face.

Lately, she says, the triple strands of pearl are the top seller (the browbands are particularly popular with dressage riders).

Just Equus grew into a larger online store over time, as Karen worked with her horse Ziba, who had come to her with health issues. Through her research, her work with her horse, and her experience with different products, she developed a deep interest in holistic health care for horses. She began offering additional select products in her online store, from saddles and rider apparel to nutritional products and gifts (for humans!). She plans to introduce some new Just Equus designs in the future, too.

Thanks, Karen!

Comments

[globalhorseculture]

Kimberly, that would be interesting!! I haven't seen feathers on browbands. Take a look at Native American horse masks (google it) to see some wild headpieces with feathers and beads and fur on them. Not browbands, but might also give you some ideas. And let us know if you make something that works...

Personally I would love to see plumes become popular - you know, the big poofy ostrich feather plumes circus horses sometimes wear?

[kimberly Cox Carneal]

You have given me an idea.
Making your own browband with elements that have local and historical meaning, or personal meaning for you and your horse might lend added "mojo" to your training and time together.
I, for one, might glue on certain stones, feathers, or beads or a combination of all three.
You have given me an idea!!!!!