About SteedBeads™
SteedBeads™ rhythm beads, also called speed beads, are beautiful and useful jingling necklaces for your horse. Besides looking gorgeous, the bells' soothing jingle may:
- Help your horse relax and be less spooky on the trail.
- Encourage your horse to run faster on speed events, such as barrel racing.
- Warn wild animals (and hunters) that you're coming so they may get out of your way (and not shoot you).
- Help you and your horse achieve and maintain a steady pace at whatever gait you choose.
- Help young horses and riders develop confidence.
How They Work
SteedBeads™ are equipped with an alligator clip to fasten to your horse's mane so the beads will stay in place. They also have a unique breakaway device designed to avoid injury to the horse or the bead strand, should it catch on something while in use. As long as the rhythm beads are secured with the breakaway device as part of the loop, the broken necklace may dangle from its clip or fall to the ground, but the rhythm beads should stay strung on their cord. Two extra breakaway "fuses" are included. Replacement breakaway device material may be purchased at most hardware stores.
What They're Made Of
In the interest of durability and your horse's safety, metal and plastic components are used. Each SteedBeads™ necklace features a beautiful pendant that is typically made of durable pewter, sometimes incorporating colored enamel in the design. The pendant may be chosen to enhance your horse's character, provide protection or power, or suit your personal fancy. Several types and colors of bells are available, including aluminum jingle bells (softest tone), enameled cloisonné bells (soft tone), enameled brass bells (mid-range tone), brass temple bells (mid-range tone), and round brass temple bells (brass or chromed silver; loudest tone). The cloisonné bells have not proven as durable as other bells offered when subjected to heavy trail use, but they are still lovely, have a wonderful tone, and would be suitable for uses such as ring work, where they would be less subject to damage. Each SteedBeads™ necklace is designed and created by Nevada artist and life-long horse owner, Kristi Lyn Glass.
Size & Care
SteedBeads™ are offered in six sizes: Extra Large (60"), Large (53"), Average (48"), Small (42"), Pony (37"), and Miniature (32"). The size ordered can be easily shortened a few inches with the adjustment clip provided, but it cannot be lengthened, so order a length that is generous rather than skimpy. For a perfect fit, the rhythm beads should lay smoothly from just in front of your horse's withers down the slopes of the shoulders to the center of where the neck joins the chest. The bells are usually positioned along the shoulders, the horse's "drive line," to more accurately coordinate their jingle with the horse's movement.
SteedBeads™ should be neither so loose that they flop around nor so tight that they restrict movement or blood flow. Measure the circumference of this part of your horse's neck carefully to determine what size to order, as sales are final on SteedBeads™ custom orders. If you use a breast collar or martingale, choose a SteedBeads™ length that will either hang above or outside your tack If your SteedBeads™ get trapped under your martingale or breast plate, don't fret. They are not likely to hurt your horse if this happens, but they may suffer due to dirt and abrasion in this position. Adjusting the length will help avoid this situation.
SteedBeads™ should not be left on an unattended horse, and the SteedBeads™ creator is not responsible for any injuries that may result from their use. As good horse sense suggests, introduce rhythm beads sensibly to your horse, and do not ask your horse to wear them when riding through heavy brush.
As you know, horses get dirty, and so will your SteedBeads™. In most cases, you can just rinse them with water and hang them to dry thoroughly. For stubborn dirt and fly spray buildup, scrub your rhythm beads gently with a soft toothbrush and mild detergent, then rinse them with clear water and hang them to dry.
Although SteedBeads™ components are chosen for their long-term durability, SteedBeads™ won't last forever. Attention to their care and cleaning will enhance their beauty and prolong their useful life.
Mane & Saddle Dangles
SteedBeads™ Mane Dangles
SteedBeads™ Mane Dangles are beautiful strands of beads equipped with a sturdy alligator clip to fasten at the base of your horse's mane to keep the beads in place. A Mane Dangle is typically positioned far enough back from the horse's ears so it will not hit the horse in the face or eyes. Each Mane Dangle ordered with a custom set of SteedBeads will be color coordinated to match your custom SteedBeads™ and terminate in a matching type of bell (or no bell, if no bells are to be included on the SteedBeads™). Mane Dangles are approximately 10 inches long, including the clip. They may be used alone or in multiple quantities for even greater beadazzlement of your steed.
SteedBeads™ Saddle Dangles
SteedBeads™ Saddle Dangles are typically purchased in pairs, one for each side of the saddle, to add bling and jingle to your ride. Multiple Saddle Dangles ordered will be identical. If ordered with a set of custom SteedBeads™ rhythm beads, Saddle Dangles will be coordinated in color and design to match your custom rhythm beads. Each Saddle Dangle has two strands of beads, each terminating in a bell.
The bead strands are suspended from an integral clip that may be used alone or in combination with the 24mm round gold or nickel-plated steel split ring provided to attach the Saddle Dangle to your saddle. The clip may be attached to either the split ring or a D-ring. The split ring may be attached to your saddle by tying it to a saddle strap, fastening it to a buckle, or using any other method you choose. Saddle Dangles are approximately 5 inches in length, not counting the clip and ring, which add another 2 inches.
Saddle Dangles come in two types: Saddle Dangles and Saddle Bow Dangles. Saddle Dangles are pictured above. The picture at left shows a Saddle Bow Dangle. SteedBeads™ rhythm beads orders may include matching Saddle Dangles and/or Mane Dangles. Bow Dangles must be ordered separately.
