Favorite Hunt Bridle?

[Kryswyn]

Mountainbells, the First Flight Hunt Tack has not changed. However, in response to customer requests, HC now carries several qualities of hunting (flat) tack. All of which are very nice, but the difference in price does reflect the quality of the leather used. The 2d Flight bridle looks identical to the the FF, but feels slightly different due to a different grade of leather.

Easykeeper, what’s great about the FF bridle is that it comes in 3 different widths (5/8", 3/4" and 7/8") So if you have a refined TB head, the 5/8 will be perfect and it can be used as a show bridle too. The 3/4" is the most popular width and it looks very traditional and “weighty”. The 7/8" is great for big headed horses so they don’t look like they’re wearing spaghetti straps on their faces.

If you haven’t been to the store since the remodel OMG do you have a treat coming to you!! Go NOW. All of the tack is now downstairs and so easy to see and compare.

[Freespool86]

[QUOTE=c’est moi;6706463]
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.[/QUOTE]

My bridle is a Jeffries, did you mean my breastplate? I didn’t know that a year ago when I bought the breastplate. I’d never heard of Bartville until joining the forums.

[vineyridge]

I had a lovely Smith Worthington flat hunt bridle that looked lovely on my TB. Leather was very nice. It was stolen out of my tack room last year. Smith Worthington is a US company. They had two levels of hunt bridle: one US made and one from India. Even the Indian one was well made of very good leather.

[Hinderella]

Smith Worthington does still make hunting bridles, they are up on their web site. I recently picked up one of their saddles, and I’m very happy with the quality.

[Beverley]

I also have and have been very pleased with a Smith Worthington bridle. And may get one of their saddles ere long, friends in CT hunted in them years ago and I always liked them (and George Washington used them too!).

No stores anywhere near me that carry Smith Worthington tack, but they were kind enough to deal with me direct from the factory in Hartford. I also got a new flat curb rein so I could use new bridle w/pelham when desired.

This is the one I got, the price has gone up a bit since I bought mine, but still a good value.

http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=product&id=546

[easykeeper]

Kryswyn, Yes I have been to “Reynardos” :winkgrin: and it is AWESOME! Hoping to get a gift certificate for Christmas and go again!

[Ponyclubrocks]

I have two from Horse Country and am perfectly happy with them. They have them in three price points and I have one of the less expensive and one of the midrange ones and they are both lovely and suit the purpose. I really enjoy the store, fortunately I don’t live close enough to go there too often! I make most of my purchases on line or over the phone and they are wonderful to deal with.

[gumtree]

Bartville is our “neighborhood” tack store so needless to say we do quite a lot of business with them. My only complaint with their bridles’ is they tend to run rather large for just about any of our Thoroughbreds. Not that they are “over all” large is just the adjustment strap, headstall to cheek almost always have to be put all the way up leaving a long “tail” which I don’t like the look of. The same can be said of their nose bands. Some of their brow bands can be a bit narrow which pulls the headstall uncomfortably close to some of our horses ears. I also wish they would move the keepers just a bit further from the buckle for those of us with larger hands and fingers. The nose bands can be hard to get undone quickly when a horse is all worked up after a race or a good workout. Or trying to make quick adjustments to the bit on young horses just learning the drill.

[vineyridge]

[QUOTE=Beverley;6708538]
I also have and have been very pleased with a Smith Worthington bridle. And may get one of their saddles ere long, friends in CT hunted in them years ago and I always liked them (and George Washington used them too!).

No stores anywhere near me that carry Smith Worthington tack, but they were kind enough to deal with me direct from the factory in Hartford. I also got a new flat curb rein so I could use new bridle w/pelham when desired.

This is the one I got, the price has gone up a bit since I bought mine, but still a good value.

http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=product&id=546[/QUOTE]

That’s the bridle that I had. It was still gorgeous when it was 12 years old.

They have a fabulous deal on their plain flap Avalon saddle. It is really the old style plain flap, and they have them on clearance sale for something like $975.

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;6710417]
That’s the bridle that I had. It was still gorgeous when it was 12 years old.

They have a fabulous deal on their plain flap Avalon saddle. It is really the old style plain flap, and they have them on clearance sale for something like $975.[/QUOTE]

Ooh. Thanks for the tip. I’ve just bought myself one for Christmas (It will replace the 70s Stubben for the mare!). The mohair girths are also a steal at 15 bucks. Sigh, finally something approaching my old Crosby Prix des Nations that hasn’t fit any recent stock. Must take measurements tomorrow and send those in, since they will adjust to fit at no extra cost.

[wateryglen]

My vote!

Paris Tack Hunt Bridle w/reins in Dover catalog. Like 90 bucks w/reins!
Using one now. Wider. Normal size fits my draft crosses. I like cheap given how often I tear them up. Well, THEY tear them up!! :winkgrin:

[Mali]

[QUOTE=gumtree;6710208]
Bartville is our “neighborhood” tack store so needless to say we do quite a lot of business with them. My only complaint with their bridles’ is they tend to run rather large for just about any of our Thoroughbreds. Not that they are “over all” large is just the adjustment strap, headstall to cheek almost always have to be put all the way up leaving a long “tail” which I don’t like the look of. The same can be said of their nose bands. Some of their brow bands can be a bit narrow which pulls the headstall uncomfortably close to some of our horses ears. I also wish they would move the keepers just a bit further from the buckle for those of us with larger hands and fingers. The nose bands can be hard to get undone quickly when a horse is all worked up after a race or a good workout. Or trying to make quick adjustments to the bit on young horses just learning the drill.[/QUOTE]

The one thing I like about Bartville, is being able to mix sizes on the bridles! I’m pretty sure my TB needs a cob crownpiece/cob cheekpiece/horse browband/horse caveson. I guess since I ran out of time and didn’t make it to Warrenton on Saturday, I’ll just pick up a Bartville bridle this weekend. Thanks for all the help everybody!!!

[dcwilliams29id]

Yet Another vote for Bartville Harness. I own several hunt bridles, padded bridles, martingales, breastplates, etc, from them and have always been impressed by the quality workmanship, product and price. As someone mentioned earlier, the roller buckles are much easier on the leather than a standard buckle. Bartville tack is manufactured by people who still use horses daily, and whos tack must be reliable and durable. In my opinion, it is absolutely the best tack for the money available (and frankly I feel some of the best tack around period). I doubt you would be dissapointed with it. I have yet to get anything from Bartville that I was unhappy with.

My .02

[gypsymare]

Bartville is phenomenal. I have two hunt bridles and two breastplates from them and have been very pleased with their craftsmanship. You can customize sizes and finishes completely at no charge. Their rubber grip reins are incredible, too. Very flexible.

[Mali]

Went to Bartville yesterday and picked up my new hunt bridle and breastplate. However, the best bargain was what I found hanging in their 2nd hand area…a gorgeous black rolled/braided leather Hamilton halter for $37! I had never seen one before- braided rolled cheeks, braided rolled noseband, braided rolled throatlatch! I did NOT need another leather halter, but just couldn’t resist…it is in pristine condition

[OTTBcooper]

Another vote for Bartville! Have their hunt bridle, super-grip reins, standing martingale, breastplate, and running attachment. The buckles do not look bulky on my fine-boned TB. In fact I have gotten many compliments and the leather is just amazing! Totally recommend.

[Good_Old_Sledge]

Clever With Leather

Claire Painter at Clever With Leather in Versailles, KY makes wonderful, traditional bridles and appointments. Cleverwithleather.com or 859/879-0075.

[xeroxchick]

Bobby’s. Very heavy and not too expensive. Btw, I got two from Horse Country, way expensive and both stretched out and look like crap. The Bobby’s has never stretched and gets better and better.