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You're in the right place to order a new custom leather handle for your BLD harness!
BLD's leather handles and fit our Balance Assistance Harness, Mobility Support Harness, and the Light Assistance Harness 2.0* made in 2024 or later.
Attachment Style: Available with either a quick release latch or spring snap clip, depending on which handle you need to fit your harness.
Flexible handles are made from double-layered 5/8″ wide leather and will become softer with time and use. These handles naturally drop down to the dog's back when not being held.
The Semi-Rigid Handles are reinforced to make them stiffer to hold their shape and provide increased feedback. Semi-Rigid are recommended for most users. Made to measure in any height/length.
Details and measuring instructions can be found in the "Measuring" tab above. Also, please see the Guide to New or Replacement Leather Handles PDF.
Information We’ll Need:
- We will need to know the harness style and saddle size you have.
- The type of handle desired. Your harness must be able to accommodate the handle. If in doubt, contact us and we’re happy to help!
- Your dog’s width (width can affect the height of the finished handle).
- Tell us the handle HEIGHT/LENGTH you need (from top of saddle to handle grip). Please see the measuring instructions in the above PDF.
- Alternatively if you know what works best for your handle you may tell us the actual overall length (again, please see the measuring instructions).
- If you have ordered a harness from us, we will reference your original order (please let us know if the name on the original order is different). If your harness is not in our files we may ask for a photo of your harness so we can be sure to get all the details right for you! (We’ve made a few changes to hardware and assembly over the years.)
NOTES: BLD handles are made to fit BLD harnesses ONLY and are not compatible with other brands.
*If you have an LAH made before 2020, please contact us to order a new handle; old-style LAH handles are 3/4" wide. These narrower handles and are not compatible. Pricing is the same.
Measuring Instructions
Open the Guide to New or Replacement Leather Handles PDF
Leather handle measuring info and tips start in this video at 7:30 minutes.
This is a replacement Rigid Support handle for the BLD Mobility Support Harness (MSH). We will need the handle height and dog’s width to make your new handle.
Click on the button below for measuring instructions:
Replacement Handle Measuring Instructions
*BLD’s MSH harnesses are made with interchangeable parts, and these parts will not work on any other harness.
If we have any questions about your order we’ll follow up with you to confirm.
Custom made to order! Allow 7-10 business days for creation.
Please click on the button above to view instructions for how to measure for replacement Rigid Support handle.
Order a new Rigid Support handle to adapt a harness to a new user or a new dog, or to replace a damaged one. A Rigid Support handle is made from lightweight aluminum (adjustable height), includes a padded handle grip that is comfortable and easy to clean, and features reflective tape on sides of handlebar.
**Custom made to order. Allow 7-10 days for completion. We may follow up with you to confirm both the measurements and that your order will work on your harness!
Handle Height Options
MSH Rigid Metal Support Handle height:
Height is the distance between the top of the harness saddle and the top of the handlebar. Our handles are adjustable so you can easily get the best height for you. Support Handle adjustment range is approximate as exact dimensions depend on the harness size and dog’s width. Width of the handle will match your dog’s actual width.
- 2-4” *Select this size if your dog’s withers are equal to or higher than your wrist measurement
- 3-6”
- 5-8.5”
- 9-11” TALL *Harness saddle MUST be made to accommodate this size: Support Bars on the harness saddle must be 1/4″ thick.
*The TALL size handle applies more torque and pressure to dog than shorter handles. Not recommended for most users or for any dog smaller than our recommended size. Consider the BAH if tall handle is required.
Handle Grip Options
Handle Grip:
- Standard straight handlebar (straight across)
- Ergonomic grip (z-shaped for more natural hand and arm position, allows your arm to stay closer to your body for comfort), indicate left or right hand
Measuring and Instructions
See the PDF for Replacement Rigid Support Handles for measuring instructions and details.
This measuring video covers measuring for handles starting here at 5:53.
Bold Sets
Bolts:
Bolts hold the handle onto your harness (Replacement bolt sets are available):
- Complete set: Includes a pair of round cap bolts, a pair of wing cap bolts, and 6 rubber washers. Just like the kit that came with your harness
- Round Caps: A pair of round cap bolts plus washers
- Wing Caps: A pair of wing cap bolts plus washers
A simple, short, clip-on handle
We’ve created this little clip-on handle for those that would like a simple grab handle added to the BAH, MSH, or LAH.
Most commonly used for pulling up from a seated position, or for occasional wheelchair pulling. 8″ overall length, with 5″ of triple-layered leather, creates approximately a 2-3″ handle.
(Will not fit BLD’s everyday working harness, the clips are too small for the D-rings.)
Made from layered, 5/8″ wide leather and stainless steel snaps just like BLD’s other leather harness handles. This grab handle can be used anytime you need the dog to pull with a quick tug, such as for climbing stairs, getting up from a seated position, and even pulling a wheelchair on occasion.
Stainless steel snaps are on each end and clip to the accessory D-rings on the BAH and MSH, or onto the top O-rings on the BAH and LAH.
Designed to fit only the indicated harnesses by Bold Lead Designs. Accessory strap only. Harness not included.
A pulling strap for forward momentum and wheelchair pulling.
Since pulling and bracing are 2 different mobility needs, we have developed a great way to allow our Mobility Support Harness (MSH) to serve as a combination pulling harness!
- Pull-strap clips onto the existing harness
- Adjustable length from 14-18″
- Can be made to a specific length–just let us know in the notes when you check out!
- Available in black or tan leather
- Also compatible with BLD’s Balance Assistance Harness (BAH)
A highly recommended accessory for our Mobility Support Harness.
The pull-strap can be used anytime you need the dog to lean forward into the harness, such as for pulling, assistance with forward momentum, climbing stairs, walking up a hill, getting up from a seated position, and even pulling a wheelchair on occasion.
The pull strap (sometimes called a bridge handle) has stainless steel snaps on each end and clips to the d-ring on BLD’s Mobility Support Harness. Pulling pressure is directed to the breastplate on the harness. The strap length is adjustable so you can find just the right length for the most leverage. Overall length adjusts from 14-18″ long. If you need a different length, OR prefer a specific fixed length, just let us know in a note when you check out (no extra charge for longer length if needed!). Made from our fabulous black Latigo or Golden Tan bridle leather, the edges are beveled for a smooth comfortable feel. Hardware is stainless steel and chrome plated solid brass for a lifetime of durability.
The dog will understand the difference between you pulling on the handle strap and pressure on the support handle: You want the dog to PULL into the pulling strap, and BRACE for the support handle on the Mobility Support Harness.
Accessory strap only. Harness not included.
This double-layered leather bridge handle was designed as a compliment to BLD's Everyday Working Harness.
The simple U-shape features large springs snaps, and a brace strap to maintain the U-shape of the 3/4 inch wide leather. Available in your choice of hardware: stainless steel or solid brass. The large snaps can snap to D-rings on non-BLD harnesses by other makers, too, although we can't guarantee performance on other maker's gear.
*Important Note: The size is the overall measurement of the handle from top to bottom, including the snaps. The functional length of this handle is shorter than the size and depends on your dog’s unique shape. We recommend ordering one size larger than the length you want. Available in 6 in., 8 in., 10 in., and 12 inch long lengths.
Replacement thumb screw bolts for the Mobility Support Harness; the bolts hold the handle on the harness. This is the “new style” that screws into the female nuts on your harness support bars for harnesses made AFTER December 2015.
Choose the set of hardware you prefer (we will add Teflon plumbers tape to each bolt so it stays snug):
- Complete set: Includes a pair of round thumb screw bolts, a pair of tee thumb screw wing bolts, and 6 rubber washers. Just like the kit that came with your harness.
- Round Bolts: A pair of round knurled thumb screws plus washers.
- Wing Bolts: A pair of tee thumb screws plus washers.
- Locking Bolt Kit: for those who want to install a set of bolts that do not come unscrewed. Includes wing bolts (Tee thumb screws) and locking wingnuts. Installation requires tools including hex key (Allen wrench) and channel lock plyers and patience.
Select size based on the thickness of the support bar.
- Standard support bars use the standard size bolts (for 1/8″ thick support bars).
- TALL handles need the longer bolts to fit the heavy weight support bars (for 1/4″ thick support bars). See photos for details.
Tips for using your MSH handle:
- Always loosen the bolts before folding the handle. Failure to do so may ratchet the right side too tight and cause it to lock up.
- Always tighten the bolts after raising the handle. Not too tight, just a little snug.
- Place the rubber washer on the bolt before screwing into the harness handle.
- Keep a spare bolt handy at all times.
- If the bolts want to loosen too much, apply some Teflon plumbers tape to the threads of the bolts.
- Consult your harness Owner’s Manual for more info.
- All thumbs screws are standard “quarter twenty” thread bolts: SAE 1/4-20
Replacement knobs for the Mobility Support Harness; the knobs hold the handle on the harness. This is the “old style” nut that screws ONTO the threaded posts on your harness support bars for harnesses made BEFORE December 2015.
- Set of 4 wing nuts for handle assembly. These wing nuts have self-locking nylon inserts to prevent the knobs from loosening.
- Set of 3 knobs – black knurled knobs approx. 1 inch in diameter, with rubber O-rings
(Be sure to use some teflon plumber’s tape on the threads! You can get this at any hardware store, sorry we don’t sell the tape.)
We recommend keeping an extra wingnuts or knobs handy in case one gets lost.
TIP to keep your knobs on! Add some Teflon plumbers tape to the threaded post, as shown in last photo. You can get this at any hardware store. It increases the friction and helps keep the knobs tight. Just add a little of the tape to the screw part and then put the knob on the harness. Works like magic to keep it from loosening.
Replacement girth strap for Mobility Support or Balance Assistance harness. 1″ wide strap comes complete with shearling sheepskin lined girth pad. Custom made to order.
How to measure for the new strap:
Option #1: Strap Measure
Take your “old” strap off the harness, lay it flat, and measure the LEATHER from the buckle to the hole that fits (excluding the buckle).
OR
Option #2: Girth Size
Re-measure your dog’s girth (chest).
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Built for Performance. Maintained with Care.
Every BLD harness is handcrafted for lasting comfort and support. With replaceable handles, straps, and hardware, your gear stays dependable through years of service and everyday use.
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