Valkyrie sidepull: anatomical headpiece and wide padded noseband
The Valkyrie sidepull is a bitless bridle for horses in cowhide leather, made by Smart Wag. Its anatomical headpiece and noseband are lined and padded. The headpiece clears the base of the ears and spreads pressure across the poll. The wide padded noseband adjusts on both sides.
Crystals, small rhinestones, edge the noseband and give this leather horse sidepull its sparkling finish. The product page accepts no liability if crystals come off after rubbing. The leather comes in black or brown, with silver fittings. A matching silver plate takes your engraving: one line of 30 characters, in serif or script font. The model matches the Astra bridle.
The configurator offers Cob and Full; check the sizes available when you order. The bridles run slightly small: if in doubt, take the size up. An exchange is possible depending on stock, at your expense.
What the wide padded noseband changes at the point of contact
A sidepull acts on the nose: the reins attach on each side of the noseband, with no bit. On the Valkyrie, the wide noseband spreads that pressure over a larger area of the nasal bone. The padded lining softens the contact of the leather on the nose. To see what an anatomical headpiece changes, read our guide on anatomical headpieces.
Which horse and which stage of transition this model suits
The product page reserves this model for horses finely schooled to the cues of nose-pressure bridles. It rules out in-hand use and ridden work under strong tension. The sidepull normally gives way if the horse pulls back when tied, in hand, or catches a rein. It therefore suits a horse that already answers a light action on the nose. The page sets no protocol for a gradual transition: it describes the tack, not the method.
Comparing the three sidepulls in the range
Smart Wag offers three customisable leather sidepulls: Valkyrie, Montreux and Verbier. The three product pages describe the same construction: lined, padded cowhide leather, anatomical headpiece, wide padded noseband. The usage precautions are identical. The visible differences lie in the finish and the sizes; the price shown on each page is the reference.
| Model | Noseband and headpiece | Finish and colours | Sizes and personalisation |
|---|---|---|---|
Wide padded noseband, adjustable on both sides; lined, padded anatomical headpiece. | Crystals on the noseband; black or brown leather, silver fittings. | Cob and Full in the configurator; engraved silver plate, 30 characters. | |
Same wide padded noseband and same padded anatomical headpiece. | Plain finish without crystals; black or brown leather, silver fittings. | Pony, Cob, Full and X-Full; engraved plate, 30 characters. | |
Same lined, padded construction, according to the product page. | Black or brown leather, silver fittings; no other finish documented. | Pony, Cob, Full and X-Full, may run small; engraved plate. |
Table: noseband, headpiece, padding, intended use, personalisation
Noseband, headpiece and padding are identical on the three pages: they do not separate the models. The intended use is shared: a horse schooled to nose-pressure cues, ridden without strong tension. The finish separates the Valkyrie first, the only model with crystals. Sizes separate them next: Montreux and Verbier run from Pony to X-Full, the Valkyrie offers Cob and Full. Plate engraving, 30 characters, exists on all three.
Reciprocal links to Montreux and Verbier
Looking for a plain finish or a Pony or X-Full size? Open the Montreux sidepull page or the Verbier sidepull page. For the bitless method, read our guide on sidepulls and bitless riding.
Frequently asked questions about the Valkyrie sidepull
What is the difference between the Valkyrie, Montreux and Verbier sidepulls?
The three pages describe the same construction: lined cowhide leather, anatomical headpiece, wide padded noseband. The Valkyrie adds crystals on the noseband and comes in Cob and Full. Montreux is plain, without crystals; the Verbier page mentions none either. Both run from Pony to X-Full.
Which horse does the Valkyrie sidepull suit?
The product page reserves it for horses finely schooled to the cues of nose-pressure bridles. It suits neither in-hand work nor ridden use under strong tension. It normally gives way if the horse pulls back or catches a rein.
