another bridle thread- best in $300 price range?

[keepersmom]

I am looking for a new bridle and want something good quality. My budget is about $300. I don’t have a local tack store with much to choose from so from what I have seen shopping online I like the Passier Fortuna
http://marystack.com/passier-fortuna-snaffle-bridle-with-elastic-inserts/

and the Passier Jupiter.
http://marystack.com/passier-jupiter-snaffle-bridle/

They seem to have good reviews on Smartpak and Dover. I don’t normally like the wave type of browband on the Jupiter but for some reason I think that style might look good on my new horses head. He is a buckskin Freisian/QH cross with a pretty and not overly large noggin. I like the Fortuna because it sounds more ergonomic with the elastic inserts but apparently you can not ever change the browband on that one. It is already blingy but maybe someday I might want to get something different - not that I have ever changed a browband on any other bridle I have owned in the last 20 years so this probably isn’t a problem.
Anyone have either of these? What other brands am I overlooking in that price range?
Also, do you all prefer a regular snaffle (which is what I have always had before) or a crank noseband? Most of the bridles seem to have crank nosebands. What is the advantage to that?
Thanks!

[SuzieQNutter]

A crank noseband is not nice for the horse. It can be done up with too much leverage. Just because it is in fashion and sold with every bridle does not mean you should use it.

A loose fitting cavesson noseband is nice for you and the horse. JMHO.

I don’t know the brand of the 2 bridles I am using at the moment but I love them. Sim’s bridle actually has a space for the noseband to go over the head piece. I love Stars browband. One bridle bought for $20.00. The other bridle bought for $10.00 at car boot sales.

I did change Stars browband,for the 1st time in my life!, for the local dressage day to a ribboned browband with rosettes on the side picked up for $5.00 at the local markets.

[keysfins]

I have seen the Fortuna and did not care for it. It just didn’t seem that the elastic inserts did much at all. Plus, you can’t change the browband out.

There are many other bridle options to consider on Calevo.com, for much better pricing.

https://www.calevo.com/cgi-bin/calevo/For-the-Horse/Bridles/Bridlework/Bridles.html?rows=100

A note on sizing: Passier bridles and Kieffers tend to run large, I usually buy the Cob size for my 16.2 warmbloods. Otto Schumacher bridles tend to be more like regular sizing, and I buy Full size for my horses.

Bobby’s English Tack also makes very nice, affordable bridles, in many configurations.

KL Select and Red Barn are made by the same company, and have quality bridles. They also have a new range, Black Oak, that I have not had “hands on”, but I would expect similar quality.

A crank noseband can be just fine for any horse, if it is adjusted correctly and not overly tightened.

I don’t care for patent leather or embossed leather; I think regular black is classic and won’t look dated when fads pass.

I also don’t care for rolled leather. They can be MUCH more expensive, and an expensive PITA if anything needs repair. YMMV.

[joiedevie99]

I prefer cranks on all of my bridles - not because I over-tighten them - but because they have a nice soft pad under the chin that keeps the buckle from pinching or grabbing long hairs.

[Scarlet_Gilia]

https://jerrysharnessshop.com/ Jerry’s Harness Shop makes nice bridles, right here in the USA. Depending on the options you choose, a snaffle bridle in the Platinum Series might work with your budget. Reins are extra, though.

I have several Jerry’s bridles; my horses and I are very happy with the quality.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8641221]
I have seen the Fortuna and did not care for it. It just didn’t seem that the elastic inserts did much at all. Plus, you can’t change the browband out.

There are many other bridle options to consider on Calevo.com, for much better pricing.

https://www.calevo.com/cgi-bin/calevo/For-the-Horse/Bridles/Bridlework/Bridles.html?rows=100

A note on sizing: Passier bridles and Kieffers tend to run large, I usually buy the Cob size for my 16.2 warmbloods. Otto Schumacher bridles tend to be more like regular sizing, and I buy Full size for my horses.

Bobby’s English Tack also makes very nice, affordable bridles, in many configurations.

KL Select and Red Barn are made by the same company, and have quality bridles. They also have a new range, Black Oak, that I have not had “hands on”, but I would expect similar quality.

A crank noseband can be just fine for any horse, if it is adjusted correctly and not overly tightened.

I don’t care for patent leather or embossed leather; I think regular black is classic and won’t look dated when fads pass.

I also don’t care for rolled leather. They can be MUCH more expensive, and an expensive PITA if anything needs repair. YMMV.[/QUOTE]

Don’t forget that these prices include the VAT, so subtract that.

Also, you can easily get the 15% (at least 15%) discount. I’m a big fan of shopping locally, but saving several HUNDRED dollars makes a big difference here.

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8641676]
Don’t forget that these prices include the VAT, so subtract that.

Also, you can easily get the 15% (at least 15%) discount. I’m a big fan of shopping locally, but saving several HUNDRED dollars makes a big difference here.[/QUOTE]

Very true! And that’s why I will shop there for items that are twice the price in the U.S. The VAT is 19%, I believe. So I take the price, multiply it by 0.81, and get an estimate of what I will be paying without VAT.

There have been a couple of times that my delivery was held by USPS for Customs due, but not always. Last time that I remember, I owed $25 for Customs on two high end bridles. Still more affordable than buying here.

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8641676]
Don’t forget that these prices include the VAT, so subtract that.

Also, you can easily get the 15% (at least 15%) discount. I’m a big fan of shopping locally, but saving several HUNDRED dollars makes a big difference here.[/QUOTE]

Very true! And that’s why I will shop there for items that are twice the price in the U.S. The VAT is 19%, I believe. So I take the price, multiply it by 0.81, and get an estimate of what I will be paying without VAT.

There have been a couple of times that my delivery was held by USPS for Customs due, but not always. Last time that I remember, I owed $25 for Customs on two high end bridles. Still more affordable than buying here.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8641948]
Very true! And that’s why I will shop there for items that are twice the price in the U.S. The VAT is 19%, I believe. So I take the price, multiply it by 0.81, and get an estimate of what I will be paying without VAT.

There have been a couple of times that my delivery was held by USPS for Customs due, but not always. Last time that I remember, I owed $25 for Customs on two high end bridles. Still more affordable than buying here.[/QUOTE]

Don’t forget the (at least) 15%! That’s huge. I pay for two-day shipping, still inexpensive. Have you done regular shipping? How long does that take?

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

Example - Kieffer ultrasoft fashion bridle - $138 from Calevo. $199 on ebay with $25 shipping. And the more expensive, the better savings.

[keysfins]

Some of the items I have recently ordered were custom, so I expected a time lag for my boots and custom Otto Schumacher bridle. I have not used the two day shipping, but will look into it for my next order.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

PERFECT - help me please!

I ordered an OS (not custom) and had it in about two days. Didn’t fit so I sold it here. Loved it, but just didn’t fit.

I want a specific bridle but need diff. sized parts - is that what you did? Or did you go entirely custom? How long did it take?

[emo]

Check 20x60.com. I have one of their doubles. We get lots of compliments, and it’s a lovely bridle at a VERY reasonable price. Great customer service, too.

[Kimchi]

emo, I have been drooling over those premiera bridles, do you find that they fit large or small anywhere? Also do they wear well?

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8642007]
PERFECT - help me please!

I ordered an OS (not custom) and had it in about two days. Didn’t fit so I sold it here. Loved it, but just didn’t fit.

I want a specific bridle but need diff. sized parts - is that what you did? Or did you go entirely custom? How long did it take?[/QUOTE]

I did not need different size parts. If you need custom sizing, you could try buying individual parts (Bobby’s, for example), or have someone make you a custom, made to measure bridle (Jerry’s). My bridle had a custom browband and padding, that’s why it took 8 weeks, as I expected.

[cleozowner]

How does one get this “(at least) 15% discount”?

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=cleozowner;8642432]
How does one get this “(at least) 15% discount”?[/QUOTE]

It is based on how much you spend. Once you spend the equivalent of €200, the full 15% discount is applied, and carries through the year. Hard to beat.

[emo]

We’ve only had ours for about six months, but so far absolutely no signs of wear.

As for size, the cob size fits my Lusitano very nicely. Other than that, I couldn’t say. Get in touch with 20x60, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to advise.

[QUOTE=Kimchi;8642027]
emo, I have been drooling over those premiera bridles, do you find that they fit large or small anywhere? Also do they wear well?[/QUOTE]

[Moogles]

Per Calevo website:

Save up to 15% - Register Now!

For all orders in this year the CALEVO Discount-System is applicable

From 200,-EUR turnover per year you will receive a 5% Discount on all regular items.
From 500,-EUR turnover per year you will receive a 10% Discount on all regular items.
From 1000,-EUR turnover per year you will receive a 12% Discount on all regular items.
From 1500,-EUR turnover per year you will receive a 15% Discount on all regular items.

[cleozowner]

Yeah, $1500 EUR ain’t gonna happen here.