Hubby is at his wit’s end trying to buy me a Christmas gift. I’ve decided that a flat hunt bridle and breastplate is what I would like. Now, help me decide where to buy it! I’m trekking to Bartville on the 15th, and wanted to know if they are the best choice, or is there another brand/brands (US available) I should consider? The best part - NO budget 
I want something that will last a lifetime, so excellent quality is a must.
I adore my Sabre Eton hunt bridle. I think the quality is superb, and the leather is strong AND supple. The hardware is incredibly strong, without being overly chunky.
I also have a Bobby’s based on some recommendations on this forum, but the noseband was too thin to have a real traditional “look” (though I have seen other Bobby’s bridles that had wider nosebands, so perhaps they have custom sizing?). http://rockhorseranch.webs.com/englishbridlesbrowband.htm (and only $82)–if you had an arab or a particularly refined head, it might suit. The leather was nice, but inferior to the Sabre.
The Eton bridle is about $130 USD, and they ship to the US.
http://www.shop.sabreleather.co.uk/sabre-eton-snaffle-bridle-show-hunter-599-p.asp
I just purchased a Bartville bridle, among other items, and was quite pleased with the quality, especially after a few rounds of aggressive conditioning. I will warn you that the hardware on the Bartville bridle is quite chunky and substantial; it looks great on my draft cross but might overwhelm a refined Thoroughbred head. Just a heads up as I was surprised when it came out of the box since the pictures do not really show this.
If budget is not an issue, others in the barn are very happy with their Horse Country bridles. The “best” quality ones, maybe referred to as “first flight” by the store? They are lovely leather as well.
[QUOTE=MissMilly;6701814]
I just purchased a Bartville bridle, among other items, and was quite pleased with the quality, especially after a few rounds of aggressive conditioning. I will warn you that the hardware on the Bartville bridle is quite chunky and substantial; it looks great on my draft cross but might overwhelm a refined Thoroughbred head. Just a heads up as I was surprised when it came out of the box since the pictures do not really show this.
If budget is not an issue, others in the barn are very happy with their Horse Country bridles. The “best” quality ones, maybe referred to as “first flight” by the store? They are lovely leather as well.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I’m aware of the hardware on the Bartville bridles and have a TB which is why I’m considering alternatives. I just don’t care for the roller buckles on the Bartville bridles. Horse Country is a super idea and I’ll be heading to Middleburg this Saturday anyway! I’ll just add one more stop to my shopping tour 
Have fun shopping!
I’ve collected a lot of Bartville tack and love it all. Yes the hardware is bulky but the one nice thing about those roller buckles is that they won’t cut into the leather like a traditional flat buckle can do over time.
Another vote for Bartville!
I have both Bartville Harness tack and “First Flight” Horse Country tack. I am thoroughly UNIMPRESSED with the HC tack and leather, especially considering their prices. I will never buy HC leather again (I feel it is very poor quality) but frequently add to my Bartville tack supply. There is no comparison between the two.
Love Bartville. I actually have never thought of the hardware as bulky; it looks great on my TB with the biggish head and my smaller TB.
And I have not found the need to do any heavyduty conditioning; just normal cleaning/conditioning.
Out hunting or any time one is going at speed, especially over outside terrain, it is much safer to have stout hardware than pretty hardware…your life may depend on it!
Another vote for Bartville… my TB has a cob-sized head, and the hardware isn’t overbearing at all. Love how both bridle and breastplate have held up so far!
I really like my relatively inexpensive HDR hunt bridle and breastplate (under $100 each). They look really nice and I’ve gotten several compliments on them. The cob size one fits my Arab nicely and, while traditionally styled, it doesn’t engulf his entire little head either.
Nunn F and the Jeffries Wembley Flat Snaffle Bridle (ran $119 US). The Jeffries bridle arrived within the week. Nothing bulky, my gelding is a TB also. I’m very happy with both. They come in either brown or black and the breastplate has options of brass or steel hardware, I went with steel.
Shows the bridle, comes with rubber or plain reins. Not that great of a shot of the breastplate but the only one I have of him in both.
[IMG]http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/AceofSpades86/DSCF2452-Copy-1.jpg)
No budget?? (yay!) Hands down the First Flight Hunt Tack from Horse country in Warrenton, VA (www.horsecountrycarrot.com)
I was given the FF Hunt bridle and breastcollar with a horse, and they are about 20 years old, but man…nice, nice quality…both pieces still look wonderful.
My favorite? My ancient Crosby bridles.
But since those are no longer available, unless found used (hello there, Middleburg Tack Exchange), I like the Bobby’s I’ve seen. They had the wider cavesson.
Flat tack is near impossible to find locally, so I’m glad to have a stash since I can’t sniff and feel what’s in a catalog.
While I don’t foxhunt, I have always liked the look of flat tack better than the padded, raised, fancy stitched stuff. Flat tack looks classy and ageless!
Bartville!
I recently made a trip up to Bartville Harness Shop to purchase my thoroughbred gelding his first hunt bridle! We’ve always done the hunters and equitation, and I’ve gotten bored and have been blessed with the opportunity to take him hunting with EHHC. So a friend and I went to Bartville to get some nice hunt bridles and martingales. The people at Bartville were so accommodating allowing us to switch out bridle parts and sizes free of charge. They went about and beyond in their customer service and the tack is beautiful! Definitely will last a lifetime, without breaking the bank!
Here’s my Photobucket album of him in his Bartville Bridle
[QUOTE=easykeeper;6705218]
No budget?? (yay!) Hands down the First Flight Hunt Tack from Horse country in Warrenton, VA (www.horsecountrycarrot.com)
I was given the FF Hunt bridle and breastcollar with a horse, and they are about 20 years old, but man…nice, nice quality…both pieces still look wonderful.[/QUOTE]
I was going to suggest Hunt Country as a possibility, I’ve never been there but the flat tack on their website looks lovely in the pictures, glad to know it is of such nice quality.
Somewhat off topic but in COTH’s recent foxhunting issue there was an article about correct hunting turnout, and a beautiful photo of Denya Massey Clarke looking very elegant in proper attire, and I noticed her horse is wearing a padded bridle, is that a new trend in hunting? I don’t hunt but come from an era when all tack was flat.
Easykeeper,
I’ve heard, and do not know if is true, but that the quality of “English” leather is not the same as it was years ago, due to the environmental law changes regulating how they can tan hides over there. If true, this may explain why your 20 year old HC tack is of good quality and mine (purchased 3 years ago) is cheap looking and feeling. My Bartville tack has so much more “life” and suppleness/ feel and is much stouter than my HC tack.
Thanks MB for the update, and you are probably right, current day quality is lacking an alot of areas. I just got excited about the “no budget” clause! I could never afford to replace my tack with their current product, so I take extra special care of what I have! I have never requested a Bartville catalog, because I am afraid I will just pine at its pages…
I still do LOVE Horse Country…such a shopping experience for sure!
[QUOTE=Freespool86;6705122]
 and the Jeffries Wembley Flat Snaffle Bridle (ran $119 US). The Jeffries bridle arrived within the week. Nothing bulky, my gelding is a TB also. I’m very happy with both. They come in either brown or black and the breastplate has options of brass or steel hardware, I went with steel.
Shows the bridle, comes with rubber or plain reins. Not that great of a shot of the breastplate but the only one I have of him in both.
[IMG]http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/AceofSpades86/DSCF2452-Copy-1.jpg)[/QUOTE]
The Nunn Finer bridles are exactly the same product as the Bartville Harness bridles. The only difference is that the Bartville products are quite a bit less $. Just in case you didn’t know.
