Line spreaders

Line spreaders are used on a horse's harness to straighten the path of the lines (reins) from the horse's bit to the driver's hands.

Although spreaders can be as crude as a piece of hay twine with a ring at one end, they are often more polished and decorative, such as the examples shown here.

The rings on older fancy spreaders are often white celluloid, but sometimes they are brightly-colored celluloid or even metal. Only the large bottom ring has a functional purpose -- the smaller rings are purely for looks.

The "keepers" between each pair of rings are often celluloid, sometimes metal. The celluloid items are often brittle with age, requiring gentle handling.

This particular item is a custom, one-of-a-kind project made for a past client. Items in this Custom Projects section are for information only; they are not available for regular sale.