Wondering what everyone is using these days… I am just getting back into the world of trail riding. I have a TWH and use a shanked bit. Would love to trade in leather for an alternative material. Don’t mind bright colors, just want easy to clean and somewhat lightwieght.
What are your favorites???
Thanks in advance!
I use beta/biothane exclusively for my bridles, and am starting to switch over for my halters as well. There are many good online retailers for these types of bridles, which come in everything from an english style with cavesson and flash nosebands to simple western versions, halter-bridle combos, and sidepull/lateral (Dr. Cook style) bitless versions. I would start at www.endurance.net and look through the tack stores that advertise there; most carry some form of beta/biothane tack.
Personally, there are Amish nearby that make beta biothane bridles much more cheaply than these online retailers, so I tend to use those. I use both an english w/cavesson for my direct reining horses (in snaffles or pelham with double reins) and a western version for my neck reining horse in a mild Myler curb. I look for good quality stainless steel hardware and prefer “normal” colors like black and brown, so that the tack has the look of leather, without the hassle.
Another thing to consider is that I prefer the textured look and feel of the beta vs the slicker biothane. They’re the same substance, just different texture from what I know. (not an expert). It’s also a lot easier to handle beta reins when wet than normal biothane, which will slither right out of your hands unless you’ve got iron fists of doom. Most retailers let you choose which you want your tack made from.
I have a wonderful Brown Beta Biothane English bridle from Tack-a-tack, but i think they are out of business? not sure. I would love to have another made, b/c i have not found them anywhere else. mine resembles Brown leather and i love it.
Zilco
they have a really cool halter bridle combo that lets you slip the headstall off and still have a halter…
you can make lots of color combos.
Call Gail Hought, or email her. Her info and her products are on her website www.hought.com
She makes great tack and is very forthcoming with advice. She is an endurance rider herself and knows what works.
I’m using a beta halter with clip-on bridle (also beta) that comes off in five seconds so my horse can eat and drink easily (I’m riding in a simple snaffle bit.) I was reluctant to get it at first but now I think it’s the best invention ever 
I use Zilco. Love the stuff!
here’s a plug for moss rock endurance. You can get virtually any combination of beta/biothane, and even bling. Very affordable, many different styles. Right now I am using a (non-moss rock) beta bridle in brown with a spectacularly visible hunter orange breastcollar and reins. I didnt get bling, but only because the way I ride and the way I keep tack the crystals would be solidly crudded up in no time.
I’ve got one of the headstalls that pops off on order from Taylored Tack:
http://www.tayloredtack.com/BRIDLES.htm
Can’t say yet if I will like it but I have high hopes. I’m getting black beta w/the firedance overlay. A bit pricey but really nice looking.
She is also custom making some reins for me that use the black waffle material wrapped around beta. A friend has a pair that we haven’t been able to find anywhere. She made a sample of what she thought I meant and sent a picture. Looked like she understood what I was looking for so I went ahead and took a chance.
If they come out well, I’ll send her an order for my huge draft as I can’t get anything to fit his huge mug unless I piece it together from different bridles.
I use a halter bridle from Tayloredtack.com. It is AWESOME! She has great stuff in every color and will customize anything. I don’t bother buying from other sites anymore.
I agree with the rest, get a halter/bridle combo. I have a Hought and love it. Very easy to keep clean and looks good. I have a friend whose barn is down the road and I can ride over, put my horse in the cross-ties and hang out for awhile. (For some reason he loves going over there!)
And the colors are fun, I have a nice red and black theme. 
Black leather dressage bridle. Silver clincher brow band. Black leather reins with reins stops. 3 piece snaffle type bit, with a copper roller, very short shank, very loose chin chain. I ride a rocky!
My arab? Same type bridle, reins, he goes in any bit just about. Mostly use eggbutt. He has a black plain brow band.
I would like a biothane trail type bridle. But never biothane reins. They can become too slick. Waiting for my leather one to wear out first. Gonna be a while.
I like to have a nice quality styled bridle. Colors are fine with me. Just want easy to maintain.
I have a biothane bridle from the distance depot. It’s really pretty I think, black and royal blue.
Another plug for taylored tack. Amanda uses all stainless steel hardware, which is so much easier to clean than the brass that a lot of others use.
Also, she can customize anything you need. When my bridle arrived, I was concerned about the stitching on the noseband causing rubs, because my horse has a halter scar. So I sent it back and she put the waffle padding on the noseband for me… this is the first bridle that has NOT rubbed his nose.
Thanks for reviving the thread! I am still using peices from various bridles but I have been using my beta reins and decided I love the material enough to get a halter bridle in that material.
Equine Affaire is coming to NE in a few weeks and I plan on looking then. If I can’t find one, thanks for the links!!!
I’m most likely the odd one out. I will not use biothane gear - I’ve seen an absolutely horrible experience with…tack that will not break.
Leather for me, no exceptions.
rainechyldes:
Us leather gals gotta stick together!
Only thing I have of biothane is breast collar. Got it due to all the nice adjustments it can do. And I do not use a breast collar very often. Not even on my very flat withered RMt horse. I guess it is all in how ya ride in a saddle.
Zilco or Micklem depending on how much control I might need for the day. Micklem bitless is great for hacking around home. Zilco with the Little S hack is great for “higher energy” type situations.
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