Do fancy anatomical bridles actually make a difference?

[Jackie_Cochran]

I left the rings on. It looks odd, but emergencies happen and someday I might be awfully glad I left those rings on.

If they are tight enough against the noseband (like 3 of my Micklems) I just flip the ring as far as it will go and they stay up (and it looks really odd.) On the other Micklem I had to use string to keep those rings up. The lesson horses I ride seem to prefer it this way. This way I can use a doubled up flash strap with keepers to serve to keep the horse’s mouth shut, but I have yet to ride a horse this past decade that really needed this (what they needed were light, sensitive hands and well timed hand aids.)

Without the flash strap you will be able to lower the bit in the horse’s mouth. Try and find some of the Micklem Warm-blood length bit straps, that way you will be able to get the bridle so it looks better on your horse between adjusting the bit straps and the cheekpieces.

The noseband itself ends up sort of floating above the nasal bone. Again it looks really odd but in over a decade I have yet to have a horse indicate to me that the floating nose band irritates them or interferes with their vision at all.

I just want to kiss your horse’s nose. Do anything you can to make life more pleasant!

[FjordBCRF]

@Jackie_Cochran

Without the flash strap you will be able to lower the bit in the horse’s mouth. Try and find some of the Micklem Warm-blood length bit straps, that way you will be able to get the bridle so it looks better on your horse between adjusting the bit straps and the cheekpieces.

Thank you for all the info!! Super helpful. I have a lot of length to work with on but the bit straps and the cheek pieces! The cheeks are all the way up and the bit strap I think is 3 or 4 holes up so plenty of room to fiddle with there. His head is more wide than long

He would love a nose kiss!!

[Pico_Banana]

Reviving this thread to see what new stuff is out there. I am hoping to have a need for a new bridle in the near term if a new horse works out. I’m told he’s pretty easy going when it comes to bridle and bit, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make things better. Here’s ideally what I’d like:

• shaped crown
• one piece for the noseband hanger and bit hanger
• rings on noseband strap (i.e., like a crank)
• optional flash (he’s ridden in one but if he doesn’t need it, I’d like to be able to take it off)

I use the Passier Ingrid Klimke on my mare and like the quality of it and the shape of the crownpiece. I really like the look of the Pariani bridle mentioned in this thread - has anyone tried that? Also under consideration are the Fairfax and the Micklem, although neither of them have all of the features I’d like.

[Larbear]

Edited cuz it did a weird double post

[Larbear]

@FjordBCRF

Has anyone completely removed the flash off one of these bridles? The way it is designed, it seems to function to tighten the nose and and act as a flash so I don’t know that it would be the best thing to try and would be a permanent modification.

I have a Micklem that I had altered so that I use the noseband like a regular noseband, not as a flash. I had the rings moved further back. I kinda wish I had it moved a bit more but it fit my previous guy. It works fine though with my current boy.

[kt]

Another bump on this thread, thought I’d add my question to the stack…

Has anyone tried KL Select’s ergonomic bridle?

KL Select Red Barn Arena Ergonomic Bridle

I’ve been specifically looking at the Arena bridle from their Red Barn line and really like the soft padding on the crownpiece, which also appears to be on the noseband as well. They are pricey, especially for being sold without reins, but I’ve heard great things about the quality of leather and I’ve seen a few tack shops have them slightly cheaper.

For context, my OTTB mare has a longish but fine-boned head but large ears. She is super sensitive on her face. She’s been in a Micklem for years but I feel like it presses on her ears (potentially doesn’t suit her in other areas as well, but ears are my big concern).

[Roni4444]

https://quantumbridle.com/ Quantum bridles! I just got their double bridle and my horse loves it! More than the Fairfax

[scislandsprite]

If your mare is an Oversize for bridles, Calabasas Saddlery has the Arena bridle in black for $180.

[kaya842]

I really like the Schockemöhle Delta I bought several months ago. It doesn’t have a crank style noseband with the rings and mine doesn’t have a flash (though they offer styles with the flash, unsure if there is an optional flash style).

[Pico_Banana]

@Roni4444

https://quantumbridle.com/ Quantum bridles! I just got their double bridle and my horse loves it! More than the Fairfax

These look super nice!

[Posting_Trot]

I’m so happy somebody got the Quantum bridle! I’d been looking at it for a while but wanted to hear some real feedback about it.

Do tell us more!

[Libby2563]

@kt

Has anyone tried KL Select’s ergonomic bridle?

I ordered one but returned it because the flash buckle/keepers sat right on my horse’s lips. This was the cob size and he’s a 15.3 hh TB with a proportionate head. The quality seemed nice though!

[Chic_Hunter]

Has anyone tried this Stubben Freedom ll ? [/img]

[lorilu]

I don’t like those metal rings on the side of the horse’s face… and I dont think that’s legal, or at least it would cause a TD to check…

[Libby2563]

Has anyone tried or seen the Correct Connect Pro-Fit bridle? It seems to check a lot of my boxes: decently cut-back crownpiece, anatomical noseband, fully removable flash including the little loop, rings and padding on the noseband strap, and it even comes in brown!

CLEARANCE! Pro-Fit Comfortable Bridle in Havana Brown or Black with Fl

I was about to order a Kavalkade Ivana for $150 from Riding Warehouse, but I don’t like patent so maybe I will try the Correct Connect for $200 instead (also available at RW, with free returns).

[lenapesadie]

I have their grab strap thingy. The leather is mediocre at best imo. YMMV

The sizing on the grab strap thing doesn’t work for my horse at all; chokes him when he tries to stretch down. It’s possible my piece is a lemon and not at all a representation of average product quality.

[luvmyhackney]

@lenapesadie

The sizing on the grab strap thing doesn’t work for my horse at all; chokes him when he tries to stretch down. It’s possible my piece is a lemon and not at all a representation of average product quality.

Mine was the same, I sent it back. The leather was not that great.

[BarbaraC]

Hi everyone - how do we go about finding a bridle fitter?

[cristalle]

Thank you for sharing the article, sparkygrace. I am trying to learn more about bridle fit, but I just couldn’t get past the face of that poor dead horse and his/her eyes.
I am struggling with my horse, who is a TB with a short head, but very broad forehead, and very wide jowl…
He was going quite well in a Micklem, but we felt that the browband that came with it was too short, and was cramping his ears and pulling the bridle forward. So we put on a longer browband.
But at the same time, he wanted to rub his face with the bridle on reaching down to rub his face on his legs, and as soon as it came off. Clearly telling us that ‘something’ is not right, that he is not comfortable.
But, as always, what is it? and we keep searching for the answer.
All this is very interesting to me, but it also makes me feel bad for the pain I may have caused my horses in the past, out of sheer ignorance of all this new information.
I understand the concept of when we know more , we do better, and I am trying.
Reading this thread with interest, and as others have said, making a list of bridles that might be better for my guy.

[lenapesadie]

Does anyone have experience with the Kieffer Luisa?

Kieffer Luisa Snaffle Bridle