🪖 Something worn on head 🦷 Dental device 🐴 Horse harness parts ⛏️ Mining framework

headgear

1 6.7

Straps and other parts that fit around a horse's head to control it

noun
/ˈhɛdˌɡɪr/

: aparejo de cabeza

One special piece of cataract armour worth mentioning is the horse's headgear, known as the chanfron.

Examples

During the parade, the horses donned colorful headgear that showcased their decorative harnesses.
The trainer examined the headgear to make sure all the straps and buckles were secure before the ride.
Oh, Mary, remember the headgear we rigged for our animals?

Fiction book (1990)
All the Royal Light Horse were riding in leather headgear, which extended down the back of the neck and into a low visor over the eyes.

Fiction book (1990)
The jockey adjusted the horse's headgear before the race to ensure it fit snugly.

Synonyms

bridle

vsheadgear

7 5.1

A set of straps and a bit put on a horse's head to control it

is a broader head-fitting category that also includes such control sets

halter

vsheadgear

Specialized

5 4.1

A rope or strap put around an animal's head to lead it

focuses on all head-fitting equipment rather than just leading gear

tack

vsheadgear

Specialized

4 7.7

Equipment used for riding a horse, like a saddle or bridle

refers only to the head-related parts of that wider equipment set

headstall

vsheadgear

Jargon

9.1

Part of a bridle that fits around a horse's head and holds the bit and reins

is the general term for parts that fit around a horse's head

Surface Forms

headgear singular

headgears plural

Morphology

headgear = head + gear (transparent) = head + gear

The compound literally denotes equipment related to the head (e.g., bridle pieces for a horse), which learners can infer from 'head' + 'gear'.

Etymology

Headgear is simply the parts head and gear, where gear means 'equipment'. For a horse it names the equipment that fits around the animal's head, like a bridle, so it is literally the 'head' equipment for control and safety.