Do fancy anatomical bridles actually make a difference?

[Heinz_57]

I have the black version of this bridle for my odd-head pony. His head is short but wide, so the short hanger straps work in my favor (he often needs pony cheeks). The cavesson is a hole or so too big for his nose, and I don’t love the cheekpiece crossing over, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to make it not with the rolled portions. Once everything softens up its a little less of an issue.

Here he is in his cob-sized one:

I think you went to a WB size you would end up with your cheek buckles all the way up by the brow.

[Libby2563]

@Heinz_57

I have the black version of this bridle for my odd-head pony. His head is short but wide, so the short hanger straps work in my favor (he often needs pony cheeks). The cavesson is a hole or so too big for his nose, and I don’t love the cheekpiece crossing over, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to make it not with the rolled portions. Once everything softens up its a little less of an issue.

Ooh thank you, that’s helpful! Has it held up okay? Lusoluv’s experience with theirs falling apart made me a bit wary.

[Heinz_57]

I got it at the beginning of October and haven’t had any issues with it. His previous bridle was also a Horze (that I got on clearance at the feed store for $20) and it lasted about two years before the bit hangers cracked through.

When he stops putting everything in his mouth he can have a big boy bridle. notice the reins in my picture.

[Libby2563]

@Heinz_57

When he stops putting everything in his mouth he can have a big boy bridle. notice the reins in my picture.

Bwahaha I was so fixated on the bridle that I didn’t even notice that! Your logic makes perfect sense to me. Mine is 4 and although not that mouthy, I’m not sure we are at the $300+ bridle point yet.

[equinelibrium]

I see black on their website. Try this link.

Favoloso Anatomic Bridle with Crank Noseband

Sorry if I’m being dumb but is there something about the Horze bridle that makes it impossible to swap the order of the hangers? The monocrowns I have all have the 2-3 hangers cut from the same piece of leather as the crown so you could either put the noseband or cheek pieces on the front. It looks like this particular style of monocrown has the noseband hanger layered underneath the other two? I get that traditionally the cheek piece would attach to the crown and the noseband would go under that, so the cheek piece should technically go on the front strap, but if the two are crossing I’d be inclined to swap them.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

My horse is currently in a Micklem, but I’m wondering if a bridle with one of the open crowns might be more comfortable for him. I know it’s super case by case, so I will probably just bite the bullet and order one, but I would love other’s experiences!

[iberianfan]

Make sure what you get is legal for competition, if you plan on showing.

[4wdNstraight]

I want to share my experience with these bridles. I have to start by admitting that I am very old school and really did not believe any of this matters. I never tighten my noseband and do use a flash. I too believed a wider noseband is better. My horse is at 4th level so not a baby either. I read this thread which had me looking at how his current bridle contacted the back of his ear. After reading the thread, I started thinking about his facial nerves. He had some damage there as a young horse. He was always overactive in the mouth which has diminished over time, but not completely gone away, and likes to hide in the connection, so always trying to ride the neck longer. His personality is very busy in general, so nothing surprising there. He is tricky in the connection, always twisting his poll, and has been a focus to straighten out. His body worker also says he gets sore in his poll. I was I decided that I wanted to try an anotomical bridle, but not an expensive one because I assumed it wasn’t going to matter. Boy was I wrong. I bought the Kavalkade Ivana from Rider’s Warehouse-$167! I went off someone’s advice to size down and got the Cob. It fits beautifully. Better than the $450 bridle I have for him. I have noticed a huge difference. He isn’t twisting, he is quiet, and his neck is longer from the very start. I feel like this crazy bridle is my lucky talisman! I was introducing the double gradually. He doesn’t need it, but we are at that place in the training that he should learn. I now want to find the double version of this as he likes it so much before I proceed. I am selling my other bridles and am moving on! I hope this helps someone considering one of the new styled bridles.

[sparkygrace]

Could you possibly post a picture of the bridle on your horse? I also bought the same bridle in a full size and I’m not sure it fits correctly. The cavesson sits lower on of his cheekbones, but pictures in catalogs show it above. His head tossing has definitely diminished, but my horse still fusses and chews on the bit. I do wonder if I need a cob size to get the correct fit.

[4wdNstraight]

Absolutely! I already rode today. I will try tomorrow!

[sparkygrace]

Thanks!

[BlueDrifter]

Only one size: cob/full, which is described as “3/4 full.”

[vali]

I’ve been trying a few bridles on my Oldenburg homebred mare, who has a combination of very large ears and brow and a refined muzzle. We tried Eponia, and a Henry James with 3D headpiece, but neither was giving her enough ear freedom, although they worked fine for our warmblood gelding. With VAT deducted and a 15% discount for placing a large order it was about $175 (without reins) and the order ships for free if you order at least $500. They are also having a sale on Bucas and Back on track blankets so it wasn’t hard to meet the minimum. Now I am eagerly waiting.

[soloudinhere]

Where?

[iberianfan]

What?

[soloudinhere]

I replied to the post above me apparently taking about a bridle and some sale but not naming the bridle or the shop.

[iberianfan]

Me, too. You asked where, I wanted to know what (bridle). Great minds think alike.

[vali]

Sorry, it was Hypostore.com. They have the Passier Starlight listed for 229 euro (including VAT), and if you request a VIP account and order more than 500 euro they deduct the VAT and take off an additional 15%, and ship for free.

[asterix]

4wd, I was intrigued by your post - my horse goes in a Micklem, but we are starting the double… so I googled and they do indeed make a double bridle version of the one you use… https://www.fundis-equestrian.com/us/horse/bridles-more/double-bridles/10858/kavalkade-double-bridle-combination-ivonne

[Libby2563]

I just bought the Kavalkade Ivonne! It’s a really nice bridle. The leather feels good to me and all the keepers are the right size (small detail but often overlooked). The curb hanger is easily removable as long as you stick with the browband that comes with it, or sub another one with snaps. There’s a lip at the back of the crownpiece at the poll to keep the curb hanger from sliding off. The flash is fully removable with no little loop. It has padding under the jaw piece of the noseband and metal on the sides to allow for articulation, but no actual crank—best of both world IMO. Overall I think it’s really nice and could easily be converted between snaffle and double every day.

That said, I have ridden in it twice now (as a snaffle) and my horse felt worse than in his PassierBlu Spirit sans flash. He’s been heavy in the connection and overall a bit tight and stilted feeling. Which is a shame because it looks good on him:

For reference, he’s a 15.3 TB wearing the cob size, which is his usual size. I actually ordered it for my Hanoverian but I think a horse size would be better for him.

The browband is on the short side and looks a bit tight in that photo because of how it sits, but doesn’t actually feel tight to me or pull the crownpiece forward.