Forsmanship Tack
Feel-based tack: handcrafted to honor your horse’s psychology and individuality.
In the Forsmanship Method, tack is more than equipment. it’s a tool for building deeper trust through gentle, precise communication. Our handcrafted Sidepulls and Rope Halters prioritize horse comfort, subtle feel, and zero unnecessary pressure.
Why We Build Sidepulls – And Why Ours Are Different
In the Forsmanship Method, communication starts with understanding horse psychology: clear signals, immediate release of pressure, and building trust without force. A sidepull bridle aligns perfectly with this philosophy. It’s a gentle, bitless option that applies direct, even pressure only to the bridge of the nose and sides of the face, never the mouth, poll, or sensitive areas that can cause discomfort or resistance. This creates intuitive steering (pull left to turn left, right to turn right) and stopping cues through simple, 1:1 rein pressure, making it ideal for:
– Young or green horses learning basics without mouth confusion.
– Horses with sensitive mouths, past bit issues, or dental problems.
– Riders focused on subtle feel, lightness, and willing partnership rather than leverage or restriction.
We chose to handcraft our own sidepulls because most on the market fall short of true Forsmanship principles.
Many sidepulls available today are mass-produced and overlook key elements that truly support clear, kind communication with the horse.
Common shortcomings include:
– Nosebands that are often too loose, shifting during use and creating confusion rather than precise signals. To compensate, riders may overtighten them, which can lead to unnecessary pressure and discomfort.
– Designs that do not allow for the quick, immediate release a horse needs to clearly understand and trust the cue, slow or sticky release muddles the message and hinders learning.
– Generic, one-size-fits-most sizing that ignores individual horse conformation, especially those with larger heads, unique bone structure, or sensitive areas requiring extra space to prevent nerve pressure or rubbing.
Our sidepulls are intentionally different, crafted with the horse’s psychology and feel in mind:
– Precise, instant release built into every design so pressure comes off the moment the horse responds, reinforcing clear understanding and building confidence without delay.
– Secure yet comfortable noseband fit that stays reliably in place without needing to be cranked down, wide, and shaped to distribute contact evenly for calm, focused work.
– Fully custom sizing and shaping tailored to your horse’s exact head proportions, ensuring optimal comfort, freedom from pressure points, and the best possible signal clarity from the very first ride.
These thoughtful details make communication lighter, more intuitive, and truly force-free, helping your horse stay willing, attentive, and relaxed, just as Stefan’s 40+ years of natural training emphasize.
No unnecessary leverage, chains, or gimmicks, just respectful, responsive gear that helps your horse stay calm, attentive, and trusting.
The result? A tool that enhances communication, honors the horse’s individuality, and deepens your bond, without ever compromising welfare. Beyond sidepulls, we also handcraft rope halters and lead ropes that follow the same principles.
Rope Halters & Lead Ropes
Why We Build Rope Halters
In the Forsmanship Method, every piece of tack serves one purpose: to facilitate subtle, respectful communication through feel and energy, never force. Rope halters and lead ropes are essential tools for ground work, liberty, loading, and everyday handling, because the horse’s response comes from understanding your intent, not from pain or restriction.
We craft our rope halters and leads with soft, high-quality rope that transmits clear, gentle signals while staying comfortable against the horse’s sensitive skin. The emphasis is always on energy transfer and precise feel: light touches create immediate, willing responses, building deeper trust and partnership.
Why our rope halters stand apart:
– Soft rope construction — Chosen specifically for its suppleness and low abrasion, allowing the horse to feel your energy and subtle cues without discomfort or numbness. Unlike stiffer or thicker ropes that can dull signals or cause irritation, ours prioritize comfort so the horse stays relaxed and attentive.
– Custom fit for perfect communication — A halter must sit correctly on the horse’s head to deliver accurate signals. We tailor each one to the individual horse’s proportions (head shape, size, poll sensitivity), ensuring even contact, no slipping, and clear, undistorted signals, essential for psychology-based training.
– No compromise on welfare — Soft materials mean less risk of rubbing or soreness during extended use, supporting calm, focused sessions without unnecessary stress.
Our lead ropes are designed with real-world safety and freedom in mind:
- Generous 5+ meter length — The ideal balance: long enough to give your horse personal space (reducing tension and encouraging natural movement), yet providing full control for safe handling in any situation.
- Versatile and practical — Perfect for loading into trailers (extra length for positioning without pulling), walking over uneven/off-trail terrain (maintain distance while staying secure), groundwork exercises, or simply leading with calm energy.
- Soft, weighted feel — The rope has just enough body to swing naturally and transmit your cues clearly, while remaining light and easy to handle, enhancing your feel and the horse’s understanding without heaviness or drag.
The result? Tools that honor the horse’s individuality, amplify your energy and communication, and create safer, more harmonious interactions, true to Stefan’s 40+ years of force-free, trust-based approach.
Discover our full collection of handcrafted sidepulls, rope halters and lead ropes, new custom pieces, and upcoming designs on the Forsmanship Tack Facebook page, follow along for the latest creations, real-horse fittings, and exclusive updates: