Current Micklem sizing

[GreyDes]

I bought a Micklem several years ago, and they seemed to run small at the time. I’m considering buying one for a different horse, and thought I heard the sizing had changed slightly on the newer models.

Can anyone who’s bought one recently share their experiences? My mare fits well in a horse size Vespucci, and I’m debating between the horse or large horse Micklem.

Also, is the new English leather worth the price difference?

[chardo84]

My guy is in a large horse - 17.2/1535lb Han X TB. I think they run small, but he has a big head and depending on the make of the bridle, is sometimes in an oversize/large horse. The throat latch can only go to the second hole on the Micklem.

I bought a second competition version recently and thought the leather was a little nicer than the previous one that I bought a few years ago. I don’t have any experience with the English leather though.

Might be worth noting - Two other horses at my barn that normally go in a regular horse size bridles had to get large horse in the Mickelm. One has had her bridle for years, the other one bought hers early this fall.

Hope this helps!

[leheath]

My horse has a regular sized head (although tends to be a little wide in the forehead) and she fits the regular size Micklem. I recently bought both the “everyday” one (with the lunging ring on the nose) and the show version. The show version has nicer leather and fits a little larger than the everyday one.

[kcmel]

My 16.1 draft cross (who doesn’t have a “drafty” head) and my 16.2 TB (with a fairly large head) both fit the horse size. I have both the older competition bridle and the newer one with the raised leather–I think the newer one might be slightly bigger at the throat latch (which is the only place I would say the original ran a bit small, but it does stretch).

My 16 h petite built wb cross wears the cob size, and it’s plenty roomy (FWIW). I would think your horse would have to have a rather “substantial” head to need the large horse size.

[caryledee]

I did the “test ride” from Dover when they still had it and the horse size was tight around the throat latch. I waited about a year and then ordered a large horse size. It is almost too big for my 17.2 hand, big boned gelding. It seems like they have made changes to the sizing. I have the competition bridle.

[Inclined]

My gelding is in between a cob and horse size bridle, and he goes in the horse size Micklem. The throat latch is on an extra hole I made, as it was too tight otherwise. The browband is pretty generous, though. BTW, this is a multibridle I purchased a few months ago.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

“My horse has a regular sized head (although tends to be a little wide in the forehead) and she fits the regular size Micklem. I recently bought both the “everyday” one (with the lunging ring on the nose) and the show version. The show version has nicer leather and fits a little larger than the everyday one.”

I have a Micklem multibridle that I bought about 6 years ago, tried it on one of my horses - he hated it - and I set it aside. Was too small in the jaw/jowls for my QH. I recently got a Polish Arab and tried it on him - I think it fits, but the straps look really clunky on his head. In the photos of the bridles on SmartPak, it seems like the straps on the competition version are a little narrower than on the multibridle. Is this true on yours?

Thanks

[leheath]

Yes, the competition version definitely has narrower straps so looks a little more refined.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Thanks, leheath

[RunForIt]

I recently bought a new model Competition Micklem for my fussy mouthed OTTB as he went so much better in my trainer’s recently bought Competition Micklem. Her leather is lovely, mine poor quality, obviously low grade leather. Her throat latch quite adequate, mine barely works on last hole. Vendor currently trying to get Micklem to replace my bridle.

Love how the bridle works, but not the inconsistent quality control on materials and sizing.