I am in the market to buy a new bridle with removal flash band for my Thoroughbred. My trainer recommended the Dy’on Anatomical because of my horse’s sensitive skin but it’s honestly above my price range. I have been looking at Vespucci and LeMieux as slightly more economical options but since this is my first time buying a bridle I wanted some advice regarding these three companies. Is Dy’on really worth the $500 or are either Vespucci or LeMieux better or just equally good options? Any advice would be super appreciated!
When I worked in the tack shop (circa 2012-2015 ish) I felt that the Vespucci bridles were of superior quality…but lacked the name recognition of their counterparts.
I think the leather quality and craftsmanship is better than the price point. IMO
(Ponysaurus prefers his Micklem…or else I would go the Vespucci route)
5 Likes
Get this: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/kavalkade-ergonomic-ivy-bridle-16386. Literally the best bridle I’ve bought in years for the price. Note that it does come with webbed reins, but that’s an easy fix.
2 Likes
I can’t speak for Dy’on or Vespucci, but I tried the LeMieux figure 8 a few months ago, and let me tell you that leather is TRASH. It looks nice in photos, but I’ve never felt a bridle more plastic-y before in my life, and for $300 I was expecting it to feel at least decent. I didn’t even try it on my horse, I immediately sent it back. It felt like the surface of the leather would crack just bending straps through the buckles.
-100000/10 do not recommend LeMieux strap leather products.
4 Likes
Oh! Oh! I’ll play!
I am absolutely in love with my Devoucoux wide noseband anatomical bridle… BUT… I will say that Princess Twinkletoes did win herself a nice blue ribbon in very good and competitive company at an A rated show recently in a Red Barn bridle that I had kept for schooling. It had the bit that we wanted to try out for the under saddle, so just swapped it out rather than switching bits. I like the quality… and even though it’s a bit dated, it still looked lovely on her. I think they’re about $325-400, depending on if you hit a sale or not.
I had a Vespucci. It was ok. Reins snapped, but I think that was more because of the idiot that used the bridle without my permission, than the quality. Something about it always looked dirty… I felt like I was constantly cleaning it. The Dev and the Red Barn polish up real nice and stay consistently soft and nice.
2 Likes
I worked at a tack shop for years as well and agree - of the three, Vespucci’s the only one that I felt was good quality for the price.
I wouldn’t go with D’yon or LeMieux. D’yon leather is not any better than the Kalvakade mentioned, and LeMieux is on par with Micklem.
If you really want to spend several hundred on a bridle, I’d look for a used Antares, or buy Passier / Eponia new. Neither are en vogue but both are excellent quality for the price point.
5 Likes
Red Barn is fab, but doesn’t make a model with a removable flash per the OP’s requirements, to my knowledge. I think their parent company, KL Select, has a few under a different brand, probably around similar quality and price point, though.
I know it’s not on your list, but I do love my new Solo bridle with removable flash - I got plain leather but they also have it in patent. I was very happy with the service as well. My horse has a cob nose, horse cheek pieces, oversized brow and Stephen was very happy to put together a bridle with the right pieces for her sizing. https://www.soloequine.com/collections/snaffle-bridles/products/solo-x-flex
2 Likes
When I was bridle shopping years ago I was able to feel both the Dy’on and an Antares. The Antares was significantly nicer feeling and went that route. 7 years later and my Antares has worn like iron and is still a beautiful bridle. If you can find a used one in your price range I’d go that route.
KL Select sells a detachable flash. They even have one with a snap that looks interesting. They cost like $30. I’d not use a detachable flash as my deterrent for buying a quality bridle. But that’s just me.
3 Likes
Another vote for Vespucci. Mine is about 10 years old, on its second horse, and still looks brand new. The craftsmanship is lovely. It will likely outlive the horse, and probably even me if I keep it oiled well 
.
1 Like
I have no experience with LeMieux, but think Dy’on is overpriced for the quality and would like to see the Vespucci in person before buying, as I’ve seen some that were beautiful and some that seemed of lower quality. I haven’t seen a new one recently, however.
Another bridle (though I’m not sure if they’re still sold) that has the removable flash is the Arc de Triomphe Starman, though I believe the quality has been hit or miss with those over the years as well.
I also second the comment suggesting buying a flash attachment that can attach to any bridle if you find something you like better that doesn’t come with a removable flash.
Still beautiful and still available!
1 Like
That’s good to know! They are very pretty.
Love love love my Vespucci!! Only thing is that the throatlatch is insanely long. I’ve seen another Vespucci with the same. Quality is amazing though and everyone compliments it! You can usually find a used one on FB or Ebay. The one I got was a figure 8 and I was actually able to buy a regular matching Vespucci noseband separately to swap out - I think they sell pieces separately so it’s easy to do that.
I had a Vespucci hunter bridle and matching standing. The standing came with part of the finish looking different, and that part wouldn’t take up oil and always looked patchy.
I spoke with their reps at a trade show and their attitude really turned me off. They claimed it was due to my oiling even though it came to me that way. They were very dismissive, so that’s enough reason for me not to purchase again.
1 Like
