Davenport Leather

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Davenport Leather

Bespoke equestrian leatherwork

14/09/2025

Harness L3 assessment done and dusted 💪 I think this is actually the cutest thing I have EVER made 😍

07/09/2025

I think I’ve kept you guessing long enough… well done if you said noseband on the last post, and also if you worked out what those weird keepers were for - it’s a hackamore!

I’ve had this design knocking about in the back of my mind for AGES, so I was absolutely delighted to be asked to make one 🥳Hackamores are a great option if you have a horse with any sort of bit sensitivity, and those with pink skin who might suffer with sunburnt muzzles in the summer. It allows you to work the horse, but still give mouths and muzzles a rest if they need it.

The usual hackamore noseband that you see in the shops has a single strap across the front with a fitting in the middle. Although there’s a wider piece of leather under the strap, the pressure is still focussed along the line of the strap. Much better to spread that pressure more evenly over a wider area with a swelled shape. Moving the fittings to the sides means no knobbly lump in the middle to add to the pressure on the nasal bone.

Hackamore cheeks come in all sorts of shapes and designs. I like the versatility of the flower cheeks. The customer opted for a new pair of cheek pieces to make it quick and easy to convert her existing bridle, and I’ve made them shorter than usual to allow for the option of flipping the flower cheeks upside down if preferred. Oh, and that funky keeper? That holds the noseband strap on the headpiece out of the way so it’s not flapping about.

One final word on bitless bridles: they are no “kinder” or “gentler” than a bitted bridle. All bridles work by exerting pressure on the horse’s head. Bitted and bitless bridles use a different selection of these pressure points and in the wrong hands ANY bridle, can cause pain and discomfort. If you’ve never used a bitless bridle before, seek the advice of professional when it comes to fitting and have a few lessons with a good instructor - remember to give your horse the opportunity to learn and understand the new aids.

06/09/2025

One last clue before I reveal the answer to the latest post. This is part of it, what do you think it’s for? I’m going to need two of them…

02/09/2025

What am I making now?

Serious kudos if you get it, because this is a project that’s been rattling about in the recesses of my mind for years, YEARS I tell you! Finally, a customer asked me to make one 🎉🎉🎉

22/08/2025

A batch of dog leads I made recently - these ones were 1m long and 1/2” wide* with a buckle fastening, rather than a clip.

Can’t find exactly what you want in the shops? Call your saddler!**

*We work in imperial and/or metric. ‘Cos we’re cool like that 😎

**For leather-y things. I can’t help you with the eternal quest for perfect jeans or finding where Tesco have moved the biscuits.***

***Actually, I can find biscuits ANYWHERE 🍪🍪🍪

13/08/2025

Well done if you guessed laced reins on the last post!

Did you know, if your laced reins are made by a proper bench saddler, the lacing is actually hand cut from the same leather as the reins, then split down, stained, polished and laced in? It’s made from the top layers of the grain side of leather, where all the strength is.

The lacing that you find on some (cheap) commercial reins is NOT the same, which is why they often disintegrate, leaving you with a pair of holey reins and gloves covered in bits. So… buy once and buy well!

06/08/2025

What am I making now?

An easy one this time. This is also one of my favourite jobs 🙂

25/07/2025

Well done if you said spur straps on the latest post. Saddlers don’t just make stuff for horses, we also make a few essentials for riders too! These are always in stock - both black and brown - so no wait time if you need to order a pair 👍

Photography by

24/07/2025

What am I making now?

Hint: the clue is in the buckles! Also, if you were at you may have bought a pair as they’re always the bestseller on the stall…

21/07/2025

Well done if you said cheekpieces on my last WAIMN (what am I making now - I decided to make it A Thing). If you said reins, fair play: to make at least, they are basically just VERY long cheek pieces!

If you use different bits for different disciplines, then having a second set of cheek pieces is something to consider, especially if the bits have different cheeks e.g. a loose ring snaffle and a universal. Or go the whole hog and have spare reins too - the latter can be a lifesaver if it’s a quick turnaround between eventing phases. Your groom will certainly thank you!

19/07/2025

Just about recovered from a wonderful Wednesday So lovely to catch up with familiar faces and to meet lots of new ones. I spoke to so many people that I ran out of business cards! Pictured here is the very last one, found earlier in the depths of a pocket. So, if you came home with one of these, there’s either a piece of tack that needs repairing or something you’ve been looking everywhere for and can’t find in the shops… get in touch!

And to everyone who placed an order on the day or dropped in tack for repair, I’ll be in touch shortly 🏇💕

16/07/2025

Out in the field today… literally!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at (a rather blustery)

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Flamstead

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https://www.davenportleather.co.uk/

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