Brown bridle suggestions

[Tha_Ridge]

Hello, my dressage friends! You all were so fun and helpful when this H/J Princess took her 5-year-old OTTB to his (and my!) first dressage show that I’m back for more.

In a couple of short weeks, we’ll be off to the Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park, where we will be competing in show hunters and dressage. Even though we’ll be doing our dressage test in a brown jump saddle, I’d love to “look” a little dressage-y and am thus on the hunt for a handsome brown flash bridle, ideally with a little browband bling.

The horse in question (see below) would look good in anything, but I’d love to hear any favorite brown bridle options that aren’t a gazillion dollars. Worst case, we’ll use our wide noseband hunter bridle in the photo, but since we’ll be going all out in the Rolex Arena, I wouldn’t mind getting a photo or two that makes us look like we “belong” in dressage land.

[Horton]

Solo Bridles
Solo X - Savana – Solo Equine

[emeraldcity]

You could just get a nice blingy browband and put it on your hunter bridle. The wide noseband fits in well anyway, and no one will really notice the stitching.

[beowulf]

I bought this bridle in 2016 and it still looks brand new. It has lived a hard life as a daily bridle in NE winters, and doubles as a show bridle when I compete. People always stop me and ask me where I got it:

Dressage Bridle

Here it is on Holden when I first bought it:

A few winters ago:

IMG_3898

It was $150 with reins. The reins are only now showing their age and the pebbles are coming off, but for a six year old bridle I’m very happy with it. The photos are not the best quality but it is dark havana in person with the patent almost glittery oxblood in the sunlight.

[outerbanks77]

I’ve had my mare in a Lumiere for about 1.5 years now and still happy with it:

Lumiere Equestrian ANASTASIA Convertible Bridle, Brown - with Reins

[Jealoushe]

I have this one in black, the brown would be gorgeous.

Antares Dressage Origin Bridle

[barnesthenoble]

I can’t personally speak to quality, but I’ve heard good things about Pure Harmony Equine’s tack, and they do currently have 30% off w/code Fall 30. I need another bridle like I need a hole in the head, but the prices are pretty hard to beat if the quality is good. https://pureharmonyhorse.com/product/pure-harmony-heather-anatomical-wide-crank-noseband/

[eightpondfarm]

are you able to switch to an Oring or eggbutt? That would change the look a lot.

[Rackonteur]

I second this. Replace the D-ring with an O-ring or maybe eggbutt and you will look more “dressagey.”

Good luck!

[Tha_Ridge]

@eightpondfarm

are you able to switch to an Oring or eggbutt? That would change the look a lot.

Yes, true - I could do a loose-ring nathe: https://www.farmhousetack.com/products/herm-sprenger-nathe-standard-loose-ring-snaffle-20mm

[BootsAndCoffee]

Is your bridle a monocrown? If so, you could swap out the noseband and browband. Flexible Fit and Eponia both sell the brow/nose as separates.

[conniemary]

Don’t switch to a flash if you don’t need it, just add a bling browband to the bridle you have. You will look like you belong if you do a nice test.

[Viranh]

I just had to bridle shop for my new horse. I was really considering a Lumiere, but prefer a more plain bridle than they offer. Several people at my barn have them and they’re really nice though. I ended up buying an Artemis bridle through Dapper Horse. The leather on it is great, and it has all the features I liked on my old PS of Sweden Paladin bridle, which is no longer made. The bridle I got also comes in brown and has an optional flash.

Artemis Equine Infinity Dressage Bridle, Brown

[ChasseurSauteur]

If you do choose to go with a whole new bridle, I’d second the recommendation for Solo Equine. Great value for money and the brown is a beautiful rich colour. (Also - prices in CDN$ definitely helps if you’re American!) I actually bought mine secondhand and it still looks essentially brand new after 2+ years of daily use by me - and as a former hunter rider who misses my buttery-soft brown tack, I find the leather a lot less stiff/tacky than other dressage brands.

[IPEsq]

I use a CWD dressage bridle. It does not have bling though. Devoucoux makes one similar with an option for a bling browband, and you can also buy the browband separately.

(My dressage saddle is brown also).

[Tha_Ridge]

All of these gorgeous bridles have me drooling! I ultimately ordered this one, as I realized my bonnet already has some nice bling and I don’t want to overwhelm that pretty delicate face: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Kavalkade_Ivy_Padded_Bridle_Flash_Noseband_w_Reins/descpage-KELI.html. Having said that, if we keep up our dressage foray, I am in love with that Solo bridle, which perhaps I can justify as my jumper could wear it too.

[Synthesis]

I have the Great Gatsby model, also brown. Gets positive comments everywhere, I recommend them every time.

[Donella]

The Solo Equine Savanah, hands down the nicest brown bridle on the market. https://www.soloequine.com/collections/all-bridles/products/solo-x-savana