I currently ride my big guy in a Micklem bridle, but am considering switching to the Collegiate Comfitec. Anyone used both? Do you find they have similar results? Leather quality similar? I’m going to try to make a road trip to Smartpak to see one in person prior to making a choice, but I really like the look of the blingy browband version…
I think the Micklem always has a dropped noseband. Is the Collegiate like this too? Many anatomic bridles are normal at the bit end but shaped and padded at the poll.
Completely different points of contact on these two bridles. The Collegiate resembles the PS of Sweden High Jump more than it resembles the Micklem. If you want bling, Micklem offers a Diamante version. Not sure if you can just get the browband, but you could certainly add one.
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No experience with the Micklem but have used the collegiate on 3 horses. 2 LOVED it, one hated it. The one who hated it was a hunter so he has prob never worn anything other than a plain French cavesson, so that may have been part of it. The collegiate is nice, I really like it. Leather quality is good but not great.
The anatomical bridles are not legal in dressage, right? I wanted to use one before I found that out. My guy is a cribber and I hate that he has to wear a collar so I was trying to find a bridle that didn’t sit right behind his ears. I ordered the Stubben one which turned out to be really heavy, actually, and then not legal so I sent it back.
If you like the Micklem and just want some bling, you can swap the browband for one with rhinestones. I added a curved, bling browband to my Micklem and I think it looks great.
I have no experience with the collegiate, but it does look quite different. And if you need it to be competition legal, there is no doubt that the Micklem is legal.
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I just bought the Collegiate and so far my fussy boy loves it. The leather quality is ok (better than expected for what I paid) and he immediately got quiet in the bridle and got some soft lipstick instead of his typical champing and anxiety (he has a history). I don’t fasten the flash or jaw band tightly at all.
The Micklem Competition is legal. I don’t know about the Collegiate.
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I got a Collegiate and I considered the leather quality quite poor. I sent it back. Unfortunately, Micklem’s (both FS and Cob) didn’t fit my mare who is kind of between FS and Cob.
I ended up with a PS of Sweden. It is legal with the optional throatlach installed.
Susan
I am using a borrowed Micklem on my mare and she is going fantastic in it. I looked into purchasing a Micklem Competition and it is way beyond my budget. I am planning to purchase a micklem inspired bridle from Solo Equine https://www.soloequine.com/products/solo-comfort as it has all the features I am looking for, a prettier design and a fantastic price point.
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The collegiate is legal. Most of the anatomic bridles are legal. They’re is a list up on usef u can check. I think it is appendix a
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The Solo Seven is a copycat of the Schockemoehle Alpha/Beta/Delta, not the Micklem. :encouragement:
When you get it, do you mind tagging me with an update on what you think the leather quality is like? I have not owned a Solo bridle yet.
That being said be careful, if you are using a bridle with that kind of stud design for anything besides dressage. I’ve heard a few complaints now, both IRL and on forum, about the Schockemoehle’s design being unsound. Considering the Solo is a copy-cat I might say it applies to the Sol.o too. Chiefly, the “studs” that hold the cheekpieces to the headstall (visible in the Solo pic). A barn-mate had both of her studs rip out while leading her horse to the ring, and I’ve heard other comments about it not being safe/secure enough for XC.
I feel that the Solo Seven & the Micklem share design elements - the headstall and the shape of the nose band. Not identical, but close enough that I hope to keep my mare happy & comfortable.
Good points about the stud design on the bridle. I honestly had never considered it before. Definitely something to research. Luckily I have time before Black Friday. I mostly ride dressage with some hacking & cavaletti work mixed in to keep life interesting.
If I go forward with the purchase, I will tag you with an update. I have spoken to another Coth member whom owns 2 Solo bridles and has nothing but nice things to say about leather quality & super customer service.
The QHP Sedna is very similar to the Collegiate Comfitc which in turn is very similar to the PS of Sweden High Jump
https://www.eliteequestrian.org/?pro…p-sedna-bridle
You can order it from Europe, or from Deco Pony.
The Comfitec comes in several styles, plain, fancy stitch, crystal browband, and Patent!
The problem with some of these bridles, I have found is that where they are curved to fit around the base of the ear, is not where my horse’s ear is! I tried several different ones. None worked so I bought a Nunn Finer custom event bridle and ordered an extra large brow band so the crown piece doesn’t press against the base of his ear.
Nunn Finer makes one too. I know several people using these various bridles - the trick is finding the one that fits YOUR horse correctly. And I’ve found that most browbands are out of proportion with the rest of the bridle for a lot of horses - so look for one that allows swapping out to normal browbands.
As for legal in dressage - some of the bridles lack a throatlatch, which is required, so look for that - a noseband is not enough!
… you take the collar off when you ride, right? 
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I have had both and currently use the Comfitec. My horse didn’t like the dropped noseband on the Micklem, but likes the Collegiate, because you can adjust where the noseband goes. I think the leather quality is fine–nothing super fancy, but not overly cheap or plastic-y either (I have the regular training one, not the show quality one). It’s legal and I’ve shown in it. 
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Annex A shows pictures of bridles towards the end, page 28 or so, also rules changed regarding throat latches. https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/96D1…lery-equipment
Thank you all for your responses – I think I am going to try the Comfitec. He was pretty fussy with his head our last ride and I’ve addressed the other possibilities (teeth, saddle, PEMF/massage, different bit) so I think it’s worth a go.
Thanks again!
