Home > Learn more > Bell straps & brackets > Hip and rump straps

A hip strap, also called a rump strap, is a short, wide strap of heavy leather with two to eight large bells attached (most commonly four bells). The bells themselves are sometimes large crotals (sleigh bells) with a traditional petal design. More often, however, the bells are distinctive Swedish-style bells.

The hip strap lies across the horse's back or rump and under the back strap of the horse's harness. (The back strap is the strap that runs along the horse's spine from the harness saddle or back pad to the hip-drop assembly or crupper.) A small "keeper" riveted to the middle of the hip strap buckles over the back strap to keep the bells from falling off.

The main bell strap is lined with another piece of leather to protect the horse from the pounding of the bells. Oblong loops of leather are slipped on to hold the layers of leather together during use. The ends of the main and lining straps are also riveted together at each end to complete the assembly.