The buckles on my Keiffer Olivia are not at all overpowering. They are rather small and thin - hence my concern about how well they will last. Do NOT get the Bobby dressage bridle with buckles if your horse has a delicate head. They are large and could be overpowering. They look stunning on my mare with a big ol’ punkin’ head, though!
[QUOTE=inca;3003095]
The buckles on my Keiffer Olivia are not at all overpowering. They are rather small and thin - hence my concern about how well they will last. Do NOT get the Bobby dressage bridle with buckles if your horse has a delicate head. They are large and could be overpowering. They look stunning on my mare with a big ol’ punkin’ head, though![/QUOTE]
Hm, then that sounds like an option. My guy, although 17hh and a reg. Hanno, is fairly ‘modern’ in his build- with long legs, and a relatively ‘refined’ head. Plus he’s a chestnut w/ chrome and doesn’t need too much bling to stand out from the crowd of dark bays at the shows!
Thanks for the help so far! Keep 'em coming! :yes:
My new mare is a 15.2hh Danish warmblood with a very pretty head and the Kieffer Olivia looks really great on her. (It’s a cob size.)
You really should check out Dressage Extensions web site. They have a good selection of nice bridles under $200. And there is a picture of them all being modeled by a horse so you can see what they look like!
I REALLY like the quality of the leather on my Kieffer. I am ANAL about cleaning my stuff though, I live in the desert and I do not want it drying out in this heat and there is so much sand, note that I was anal about it in Maryland too because of mold. (Truthfully, I am horse poor, I can’t afford to just go out and spend $200 dollars on a bridle whenever I choose, I have to make my things last as long as possible. I buy nice things and take VERY good care of them.) It is in great shape and I really do think it is flattering to Frodo’s head. The buckles seem fine to be, maybe they could be a bit sturdier but I have not had one problem with them yet and I have used to bridle everyday for the last year/year and a half. I went towards Kieffer because I love my Kieffer Lech Profi and before that, I had a used Kieffer Wein that was VERY old and in GREAT shape, the leather was soft as butter and looked MANY years newer than it was, no cracks, nothing.
ETA: Frodo’s Keiffer Petra is also a cob size, he has a smaller, typier head. He is a 16.2h Anglo Trakehner.
I just got a Kieffer and hate the stupid thing. I measured it for fit and technically it should fit but it doesn’t. The noseband is stupidly small and short. Would have returned it but was so certain it would fit, I added a hole so am stuck. Grrr.
What about the Passier (particularly the Aries)? How’s the leather/workmanship- they sure look beautiful! Dover has them at just over $200 but I found a place which is selling them for just under $200. Anyone have an opinion before I go ahead and order one?
The cheapest I have seen them is at… I think it is called 123 tack. They had them on sale for $179. A heck of a deal since they are $375 in my local tack store in B.C. Everywhere else in the US they seem to be $219.
[QUOTE=Denali;3002900]
great thread. I am bridle shopping too and want one under 200
Of course I really want the Passier or the Vespucci… However I am trying to be more reasonable. I will need a full by the end of the year, so I need to pace my bridle spending!!
My only comment is on the Kieffer… I had one that was lovely but it reallllllly stretched. Maybe a dud, but I wasn’t impressed.[/QUOTE]
I have one too that is “stretchy” so I only use it for shows. But I am disappointed that for $200 it can’t hold up to everyday use. It is pretty but that is about it…
That is odd, I use my Kieffer everyday and it is fine, no stretching and the leather is in great shape and the buckles are fine. The flash has not even stretched. I have no worries about using it for a show.
Another vote for Kavalkade. Love mine 
I really like the Warendorf from Dover. Use them on all my training horses and they hold up beautifully. The price has jumped significantly, but is is still under $200. A couple are going on 15 years and we use them to show in. Recently, I’ve also recommended the Dover Crown jawband bridles. Very nice leather and hardware and good construction. Sizing is very true on both.
