Horse Barding

Barding is the textile covering the horse in a tournament, parade or ceremony. Originally designed to help protect the horse from arrows, by the 14th C. they became another means of display along with banners and surcoats. Less likely to bear the coat of arms of the horse's rider, they were used to decorate the horse and provide an opulent display.

Our horse bardings are made to order to each customer's taste and preference. Our most popular styles are made of imported brocades and fully lined in contrasting faux silk.  Most are dry cleanable.  Price depends on complexity of design, custom embroidery, and other details. Fabrics, decoration, embroidery and finish work are combined to create a one-of-a kind statement.

We've been making horse trappers, barding and caparisons for our own horses for historical presentations, reenactments, parades, film and TV, skill at arms displays and horse shows for over 20 years.  We know what works for the horse, and we know what works for an audience or judge.  Our bardings have been winners at horse shows and parades for more than 20 years, and we have been supplying bardings to horse supplies, historic sites and historical reenactments around the world for more than 10 years. Our designs are time and horse tested!

Standard features in all of our bardings:

• Designed to work with modern tack
• High quality fabrics
• Sized and designed to fit over a standard modern saddle pad
• Fully lined
• Welted girth slot
• Dressmaker quality hand finishing is standard
• Flat felled top seam to prevent chafing and rubbing
• Mix-n-match sets which include peytral, breeching (front and back pieces) and rein covers available
• Dry clean only or machine wash options available

Prices start at $1,000 and custom orders are quoted free of charge. To make an enquiry for a custom horse barding, kindly send an image of your heraldry and any specific requires to Gwen for a free price quote.

Product photo of the custom barding made for Michael and Carolyn Audibert is included as an example only.  For more examples view our online album here: SADDLE CLOTHS AND BARDINGS