Bridle recommendations for a poll sensitive senior horse (any options without nosebands?)

[Oarsman]

I posted this in the hunter section before realizing I should be asking the eventers! 'My wonderful guy is early 20’s and has a sensitive/stiff poll along with age-related changes in his neck. His mouth has also been getting sensitive recently, despite regular dentist visits (I think it may be TMJ possibly related to his poll stiffness). He jumps weekly in lessons but does not show, so this doesn’t need to be a traditional show bridle.

I’m looking for bridle recs that will put as little poll pressure as possible on my guy. Bonus points if any are options without nosebands. This guy is bombproof and as simple as it gets- I’m just looking for something that is as comfortable as possible. Price is not an issue- I would splurge for this if it can help him feel better! Thanks for your help

PS- Does anyone have thoughts on PS of sweden? Also- I’ve been recommended a Hackamore for sensitive mouths but don’t know how a hackamore would affect poll pressure?’

[IFG]

Have you tried a Micklem? It distributes pressure over a wider area. As my horse aged, he started to get mouth sores from regular bits. I switched him to a Myler Egg Butt with an MB33 mouth, and he seemed much happier.

[HereComesZach]

Well, there’s the Stubben Freedom bridle, Which has a sort of ‘bridge’ over the poll so nothing touches the poll. I have it for a sensitive horse and really like it. It’s technically a mono crown, so if you remove the noseband, there is a flap of leather still hanging down that you can’t remove.

More extremely, there’s the Dyon Difference bridle. I’ve never seen one in real life, not sure how easy it is to remove the noseband, but I think you’ll run into the same issue as with the Stubben.

Flexible Fit is an Australian company that makes really lovely, buttery leather. They feature a whole range of nosebandless bridles, and have several comfort crown models, although their poll relief is not quite as extreme as the first two I listed.

[Scribbler]

If you use a plain snaffle that is not on really high against the lips and no noseband then there is little poll pressure. Poll pressure is increased with a snaffle high in the mouth, or a tight or dropped noseband, or a leverage bit like a curb.

Indeed the cheek pieces on a snaffle tend to bow out a little when you use the reins which is why Western riders are told not to use a snaffle with a split ear bridle as the headstall could just pop off.

If you have a plain snaffle, not too high, no noseband, and a browband of adequate depth for the horses forehead you don’t need a padded poll. And if you are worried you can use one of those sheepskin tubes designed for shipping halters

If he is really well behaved you could ride in a simple sidepull. Or a Western mechanical hackamore, but you lose the English direct rein and contact with this.

Stay away from the dr dr Cook type of cross under bitless bridle as these do work on poll pressure.

[PiranhaBoy]

I have both a Micklem and PS of Sweden Nirak for my poll sensitive TB. I found that he prefers the PS of Sweden over the Micklem as the crown piece is wider (different weight distribution), more anatomically shaped, and lightly padded. Holding the bridles in your hand, the PS of Sweden definitely has a “lighter” feel than the Micklem, I think because of the wider crown piece.

[Jealoushe]

Ps Of Sweden, or CWD and Antares both make really nice comfort pills, depending on your budget.

[MyDarkPassenger]

I can’t speak to the quality but I’ve been coveting the bridles from this saddlery, many options for poll relief.
https://www.henryjamessaddlery.co.uk/collections/bridles