Do you guys think that a knowledgeable person can tell leather quality by simply looking at it?
Yes. I notice the quality, and moreover the quality of the stitching. @JenEM is right though - black leather never feels buttery the way brown leather can.
Just my experience.
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I wasn’t expecting the leather on the Stubben Switch to be nicer from looking at it–I was expecting it because it’s double the price point of the Stubben Waterford I have, which is already not what I’d consider a cheap bridle.
But overall, yes, you often can tell just by looking, especially in-person. Stitching, the look of the leather itself, and often manufacturing details are different on bridles made with better quality leather, like the taper of the ends pieces, the rolled edges, or the buckles–a roller buckle on the noseband for instance.
I have just sliced off all my flash loops with a knife.
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I keep looking at my passier, threatening to do it.
But I find superficial stupid reasons why I shouldn’t.
I should quit being such a pansy and just do it.
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Super-dumb question (for those who know)–what about just taking off the noseband entirely? Is that allowed?
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I had a couple other Stubben bridles, and of course I have the Switch, and yes they are different quality. The Switch was one of the nicest quality doubles I handled while I was looking specifically for a brown double with an attractive noseband. Its quality matches the price point. Even the buckle holes are properly sized so you don’t deform the leather trying to force the pin through. I’ve been happy with mine and almost bought another one, but the new horse wears an oversize so I haven’t done it yet.
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Super-dumb question (for those who know)–what about just taking off the noseband entirely? Is that allowed?
Probably not an option with a monocrown, even if allowed within the inspection rules. My monocrown (hunter) bridle has the hanger pieces for the noseband built in, so you’d end up with those unattached on both sides. If the aesthetics of the flash tab bother you (as they do me) those flapping around would drive you absolutely bonkers. I also don’t think the horse would much appreciate it either 
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I agree - I wouldn’t use the patent bridle. Too busy and it cuts her head in two at a bad place making the lower half of her head look really long. And I would NOT buy a bridle just for the inspection unless it was cheap. I think a flash would look fine. You aren’t training her in one and she won’t be ruined wearing one for a few moments. At least she has plenty of room in her mouth and head to wear a double bridle - little teeny muzzles are usually not rewarded because of this. She is being evaluated as a sport horse - not a beauty queen.
I would spend the money on a good braid job and make sure she is in top shape. Well developed top line and neck and athletic training to develop her elasticity which is an area that TB mares don’t usually score well. More important than he head. Good luck!
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A super tiny face, she does not have. This is the first TB I’ve ever known that does NOT fit into a cob. Her head is just flat out too big. I think her trot is VERY nice for a TB, but her canter is meh. I am very worried that I’m barn blind though - I guess I’ll find out! I’ll be doing the MPT at the same time.
Here’s a short lunge video taken the other day. She is more huntery. To me - her biggest faults would be that her neck is a little short and that it’s set on a little low, and she’s a little long in the back.
If you think I’m barn blind please say so, as these inspections are not cheap!
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You don’t need to do the mare performance test, you can just do approvals. You don’t even need to do approvals to register foals kwpn out of kwpn or erkend stallions, tb mares don’t require inspections.
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I know I don’t have to. I kind-of want to. 
I’m hoping to get her inspected OldNA and Hano. I was wondering about Holsteiner too, but there aren’t any inspections near me.
My goal is to: set her up in case something happens to me, and/or if something should ever happen to her injury-wise.
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I would say Hanoverian has the “most difficult” inspection and approval and mpt. I honestly wouldn’t bother with Old-NA. Holsteiner is accommodating and easy and generally likes TB mares.
The thing is, the inspection process is easy enough that it will not necessarily help set her up for anything. Anyone who is interested in breeding your mare for registerable wb foals will have no problem navigating the process. You can legit do the mare along side the foal.
If you want to do it for the experience, that is a whole nother matter, and kick on and enjoy it as a learning experience.
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Not bother with OldNA because they let god and anyone in? Just trying to understand why not them (and it saves me time and aggravation if I limit it to one!).
Yes, OldNA is not affiliated with GOV. They’re their own pretty much anything goes registry.
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10-4. I think I’ll save that one for later then. I can hardly navigate the GOV site - I can’t find anything about their inspection schedule.
Maybe I’ll just stick with Hano. If she can get in there, she can get in anywhere, right? (maybe not right, lol)
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OK, how about this one? Its a cheap bridle (kavalkade) with the nosebamd exchanged to a Passier. Thoughts?
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if the browband was oiled / laid more i’d like it better. Don’t like the noseband…looks like an bicycle inner tube
The browband looks like it might be a touch short? Otherwise I like it. Workmanlike, not too flashy.
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It is, it’s a cob bridle (edit: to be more clear its a cob everything except the noseband - her head is big “around” so it’s got to be a full). I can order a new browband.
@eightpondfarm straight browbands that fit correctly do not lie flat on the forehead, no matter how much you oil them. “Wave” browbands fit a little closer.
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