Bridle2Fit vs PS of Sweden quality?

[solarflight]

I have a PSOS bridle that is a 4-5 years old I believe (I bought it used). The leather is decent, but not great, it doesn’t clean up very nice. I ordered a new flash and throatlatch for it last year and omg the quality was gross. Like high hat said, it’s almost cardboard like, no matter how many times I oil it. I wouldn’t pay new price for another PS bridle.

I have a Equipe Emporio bridle that I love. The leather is nice for the price, it cleans up really well and has stood up well. I believe they retail around $150 CAD if I remember correctly.
One of the ladies at my barn also has a gorgeous Passier bridle; it is sturdier leather, not super soft like Vespucci or CWD or the like, but it is stunning and I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[Feathered_Feet]

I bought a new B2F double bridle at the end of last year and, while initially a little stiff out of the box, it has softened up very nicely. The padded parts (crownpiece, noseband, and back pillow for the noseband) were absolutely lovely from the start. I bought mine through a rep, so maybe that’s worth a try if the B2F customer service is questionable?

[Jealoushe]

One thing to remember with these higher end bridles too is that they need to be cleaned regularly to really get and keep the leather nice. Because of their leather if the wrong oil is used or they are left to get dusty and dirty the dirt accumulation can get difficult to remove and eventually degrade the leather over time.

Point being, clean your tack regularly and ask the retailer what oil works best for what leather, and your leather should actually improve over time!

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

I went with the Eponia. They were great with the communication and are swapping out the crown piece to change it from a Double to a snaffle for me and reducing the price by $50, so I’m stoked. Hope it’s just as lovely as in the pics.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

Okay… a little bothered right now with Eponia. Communication was great right up until the point that I paid the invoice they sent me. They said it would ship 2 days ago and I’ve sent 2 emails asking for confirmation or an order number or a tracking number with no response. No one answers the phone number listed on their website, and just now when I tried to call, it was forwarded to voicemail after one ring. I’m covered with PayPal, but it really rubs me the wrong way when customer service ends at the point of sale.

[redsoxluvr]

I have two Bridle2Fit snaffles and I am not impressed with customer service. I need to order another strap for the noseband and just dread having to deal with them.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

Just wanted to update that I finally reached Eponia yesterday through FB messenger. They were able to provide me a tracking number and to my surprise, it was out for delivery! I wont see it till tomorrow because I had it delivered to my work thinking it would come during the work week, but I’m ecstatic that it is here already.

I’m very surprised to hear the complaints about Bridle2Fit as I’ve ordered both a bridle and a noseband from them without issue. I also spoke with them regarding my orders through FB messenger at the time I placed them and received timely responses. I ordered another set of reins from them yesterday to go with the new bridle. I’m not sure I’ll be happy with the set included with the Eponia bridle as I love my current pair from Bridle2Fit. Hopefully. I’ll get them with no issues.

[CanteringCarrot]

So odd. I contacted Bridle2Fit via FB messenger several times with no response. Same goes for email. The only time I ever heard from them was when I filed a PayPal dispute as a last resort.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹Years ago I got a set of reins from Eponia that I liked. They broke and I wanted a replacement. I inquired with them if they still made them and if I could buy another set of reins. I sent a picture of which reins I was referring to. They said yes they could get me those reins and sent me some. They were totally different. I told them this, and they said, oh we no longer make the ones you requested. Okkk.

Same with me requesting a cob sized non-monocrown noseband for my Frost bridle (the rest was full/WB size) and them sending me a noseband for a monocrown bridle…so not the Frost bridle… Twice. I gave up after all that.

Their quality isn’t the greatest, but not bad. Pretty fair for the price point. It was just that they seemed to not know their product. Maybe I just dealt with the wrong person(s)? The stuff, albeit the wrong stuff, did come in a timely manner though, and refunds were issued. So I go back and forth about trying them again…but I’m in the market for a double bridle with rolled leather, so I guess it’s irrelevant at the moment.

[vali]

When I first got my Eponia bridle last year I was so excited, the padding was so cushy and the leather was so soft. A year later I am not so enthused, the leather has faded badly despite regular care. The passier fortuna I got at the sane time for my other mare looks brand new, but the eponia is no longer show worthy.

[CanteringCarrot]

The leather on my Eponia just felt “unfinished” or something in some spots. I don’t know how to describe it exactly. I sold it a few months back, and didn’t use it much (never quite fit my newer horse, sold the big headed horse it did fit), so I cannot comment on longevity.

I will say that I ended up with rolled leather reins from PS of Sweden about 2 years ago. They’re thin, and rubber on the inside only. They’ve held up nicely for 2 years of regular use and I got them for 50€ so I’d say the value for the money is good. I bought the cob size and they’re the perfect length for my PRE. While I like some of their bridle designs, I’ve been hesitant to purchase one for full price due to the inconsistent ratings.

[beowulf]

Really disappointing to read these bad experiences about Eponia. I’ve had good experiences but bought from a booth, not online. I hope you like the bridle OP!

I haven’t had the issues other posters report about the leather but every bridle is different. Mine still looks show worthy and has been used daily for nearly for years.

I will say that Eponias do not come out of the bag feeling broken in/“finished”. I prefer this - the leather that comes feeling “broken in” has way less of a usable life, prone to stretching, and not as durable. Softness brand new/out the bag is not indicative of quality.

When I first got the bridle, I cleaned it down and dismantled it. Oiled it twice, and then put it all in a ziploc bag with a glug of oil. Kept it in there for about a week, shaking often. Wiped it down, assembled it, and put it to the test. I think if you take care of this bridle it won’t disappoint… but I look forward to your updates (with pics!).

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

Just got my Eponia bridle this morning and am very pleased with the product. I think the leather of my B2F bridle is a little better, but it was also about $100 more. I think the quality is very nice for the price point, and the crown piece is definitely much softer than my B2F. I don’t plan on using it daily, but time will tell how it holds up.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

Okay, so apparently B2F is living up to their new reputation. :-/

Ordered another set of reins to go with the new Eponia bridle several days ago, but have heard nothing so I messaged them on FB as I have done in the past.

Me - “Hello, I placed an order several days ago. Order # ----- and was just trying to see when that might be shipped out? Thanks.”

Responded in about hour with - “Hi, we received your order, as soon as it ships out, we’ll contact you.”

Ummm…that didn’t answer my question, so again I followed up with, “I understand. I was just trying to get a timeframe for shipping?”

Read with no response. Looks like I may end up filing a PayPal dispute with them, so in the meantime, can anyone recommend a nice set of padded, leather reins that would be comparable?

[arabiansrock]

Riding warehouse has a pair of kavalkade wrapped reins that are approx.$57. I’ve been giving them the eye.

[redsoxluvr]

@Smthn_Like_Olivia

Just wanted to update that I finally reached Eponia yesterday through FB messenger. They were able to provide me a tracking number and to my surprise, it was out for delivery! I wont see it till tomorrow because I had it delivered to my work thinking it would come during the work week, but I’m ecstatic that it is here already.

I’m very surprised to hear the complaints about Bridle2Fit as I’ve ordered both a bridle and a noseband from them without issue. I also spoke with them regarding my orders through FB messenger at the time I placed them and received timely responses. I ordered another set of reins from them yesterday to go with the new bridle. I’m not sure I’ll be happy with the set included with the Eponia bridle as I love my current pair from Bridle2Fit. Hopefully. I’ll get them with no issues.

The reins are the one reason I would deal with B2F again. Hands down, best reins ever.

[CanteringCarrot]

@beowulf

Really disappointing to read these bad experiences about Eponia. I’ve had good experiences but bought from a booth, not online. I hope you like the bridle OP!

I haven’t had the issues other posters report about the leather but every bridle is different. Mine still looks show worthy and has been used daily for nearly for years.

I will say that Eponias do not come out of the bag feeling broken in/“finished”. I prefer this - the leather that comes feeling “broken in” has way less of a usable life, prone to stretching, and not as durable. Softness brand new/out the bag is not indicative of quality.

When I first got the bridle, I cleaned it down and dismantled it. Oiled it twice, and then put it all in a ziploc bag with a glug of oil. Kept it in there for about a week, shaking often. Wiped it down, assembled it, and put it to the test. I think if you take care of this bridle it won’t disappoint… but I look forward to your updates (with pics!).

Yeah, it wasn’t that the bridle came out of the bag not feeling broken in or finished, it was that the leather quality varied in various pieces of the bridle and the underside was so rough and continued to be that way. It just looked… Primitive. I don’t know how to describe it. I oiled it and whatnot, and it wasn’t bad, just never impressed me. I heard good things on COTH, but perhaps I’m just a snob. I do take good care of my bridles… Borderline obsessive. :lol: either way whoever owns it now got it for a cheap price. I would’ve given them another change as I like the look of another one of their bridles if it weren’t for the odd service I received.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
I’m currently stressing over my rolled leather double bridle purchase. Maybe I just put too much thought it all of this? Drive myself nuts.

[LadyNeon01]

@redsoxluvr

The reins are the one reason I would deal with B2F again. Hands down, best reins ever.

Completely agree! My B2F reins are awesome.

Its been 2+ years since I had to deal with B2F. It sounds like their customer service has gone downhill a bit. But I love my bridles so much. I’m not obsessive about cleaning and they’re holding up wonderfully.

[beowulf]

@CanteringCarrot

Yeah, it wasn’t that the bridle came out of the bag not feeling broken in or finished, it was that the leather quality varied in various pieces of the bridle and the underside was so rough and continued to be that way. It just looked… Primitive. I don’t know how to describe it. I oiled it and whatnot, and it wasn’t bad, just never impressed me. I heard good things on COTH, but perhaps I’m just a snob. I do take good care of my bridles… Borderline obsessive. :lol: either way whoever owns it now got it for a cheap price. I would’ve given them another change as I like the look of another one of their bridles if it weren’t for the odd service I received.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
I’m currently stressing over my rolled leather double bridle purchase. Maybe I just put too much thought it all of this? Drive myself nuts.

That’s fair! Hello fellow borderline obsessive tack cleaner… Do you also tack hoard as well? :lol:

Rolled leather double bridle?! From where?? Do tell!!

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

Just wanted to post an update…

Still LOVE the Eponia bridle. The noseband probably fits my horse better than any bridle I’ve tried on him and despite being patent, is still softer than I’d thought and wraps around him like a glove.

On the Bridle2Fit…

Placed my order on Mar 7th. About 2 weeks in, I messaged AGAIN checking on my order. Someone different got on their messenger line, apologized for the delay and sent me a tracking number within an hour of responding. I knew it was a different person because their English wasn’t quite the same as the original person I was speaking to, who frankly seemed like they couldn’t have cared less.

I waited a few days and reached out again when there was no movement on my package. Was told to be patient, delivery delays were due to the coronavirus…okay. Today was officially a week since I’d received a tracking number and UPS had yet to receive my package. So I messaged them yet again that all I ordered was a set of reins… over 3 weeks ago. That I’d received a tracking number and my package hadn’t even reached UPS yet. I let them know that delivery delays cannot be explained by the virus when my package had never even reached the carrier. I told them that I have been patient, but am now frustrated and have received several other orders without delay since I’d ordered from them. I let them know that if my order was not received by UPS by Monday, then I would be canceling my order through PayPal.

They read my message and never responded, but I checked the tracking just now and my package was delivered to UPS a couple hours after I sent my message and is scheduled for delivery on Monday. Although I’m happy to be finally getting the reins and hope they are the same quality that I’ve gotten from them in the past, I doubt I will be ordering from them again. It’s sad because they really do sell nice, quality made bridles, but the customer service is seriously lacking.

[CanteringCarrot]

@beowulf

That’s fair! Hello fellow borderline obsessive tack cleaner… Do you also tack hoard as well? :lol:

Rolled leather double bridle?! From where?? Do tell!!

I just saw this! It ended up with a Schockemöhle Venice. I got it on sale for 225€ which I think is a good price. I analyzed it closely for stitching imperfections and any quality issues as I heard mixed reviews of the brand (maybe from here?) in the past, and it looks wonderful. I was tied between that one and a Dy’on, but their rolled leather wasn’t getting the best reviews. It fits, but I need to get my bits sorted out in order to use it regularly to see how it holds up.

I have PS of Sweden reins mostly because they have rolled leather, cob size, and are fairly priced around 50€. The quality on those is ok, some stitching is falling apart on my 2 year old set. The newer ones seem a bit stiffer than I remember my older set being initially. The cob size really is perfect for my P.R.E. though. Enough rein but not too much extra.

I’ve become more of a saddle pad, boot, and blanket hoarder for whatever reason :lol: my actual tack is one saddle, a double bridle, and 2 snaffle bridles. I finally upgraded my stirrup leathers (Prestige) and I’m satisfied with them…also got them on sale… A trend here. I’d like to pick up a good quality lunging caveson as my next tack endeavor.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

Also disappointing about the Bridle2fit customer service. As I said, I think their stuff is good quality, but the service is crap so I just returned my items and didn’t bother with an exchange/another order. I don’t want to have to do a PayPal dispute everytime in order to get them to take action since they can’t properly communicate or operate in a timely manner.