Help me pick from my top 3 bridles (Schockemohle, Solo Equine, Bridle2Fit)

[mydogs]

My DH said he will get me a new bridle for my birthday this year. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 bridles and like all of them for different reasons. Since I haven’t seen any of them in person, I’m having a hard time picking one.

1. Schockemohle Stanford (https://www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk/schockemohle-stanford-anatomic-bridle.html)
   Price: $285-$300

2. SoloEquine Swerve (https://www.soloequine.com/collections/frontpage/products/solo-swerve-snaffle-bridle)
   Price: $160 (but will be having a black friday deal)

3. Bridle2Fit (https://bridle2fit.com/us/product/crownpiece-hp-2/ & https://bridle2fit.com/us/product/noseband-s1)
   Price: $163
   Doesn’t include cheek pieces, reins, or a flash, since I have them already

I was looking for a bridle that has an anatomically shaped crown piece and noseband to provide as much comfort as possible for my horse.

I like the Bridle2Fit since I can order the specific pieces that are needed.
I’ve seen the schomole bride in person and do like the quality.
I’ve heard good things about the SoloEquine bridle and I do like supporting a small business.

Help me pick!!

[halt]

Congrats on a nice BF and early birthday present.

Schockemohle has really poor quality… They feel great out of the bag but they wear down really quick and do not stand up to abuse. I’ve had a few friends that have the flash attachments come right off, glue seepage, and keepers breaking pretty easily. I have one personally that has only left the bag if someone needs an extra bridle. It’s not a bridle I’d recommend for that price.

Have you seen Eponia Bridles? The Solo Swerve is almost an identical copycat to some of their bridles. I think Eponia is really nice for the price, and definitely has longevity.

[mydogs]

@halt

Have you seen Eponia Bridles? The Solo Swerve is almost an identical copycat to some of their bridles. I think Eponia is really nice for the price, and definitely has longevity.

Thanks! I actually like that the Eponia bridles have a removeable flash attachment!

[Edre]

@halt

Schockemohle has really poor quality… They feel great out of the bag but they wear down really quick and do not stand up to abuse. I’ve had a few friends that have the flash attachments come right off, glue seepage, and keepers breaking pretty easily. I have one personally that has only left the bag if someone needs an extra bridle. It’s not a bridle I’d recommend for that price.

I have a similar experience with the Schockemohle bridles as the above (my trainer went shopping with me and she picked it out as a gift to her from her clients): I can’t speak to any of your other options but for the price, I know that I was surprised atthe quality of the bridle. It has not worn well. She’s had it probably 18 months and even with impeccable care, it hasn’t aged as well as her other bridles (passier, kieffer, and vespucci).

[mydogs]

That is upsetting to hear about the schockemohle bridles, but that the other bridles are more affordable, so that’s great!

[mydogs]

@jdm

I don’t love any of those. The “anatomic” browbands usually don’t look that great to me. I have all BR brand bridles, I did a lot of research, and comparing the quality and performance (and FIT!) of 8 of the top brands we use for dressage. The BR bridles won out overall.

What about the crown piece do you not like? How does the BR bridle fit better?

[Roni4444]

LOVE my PS of Sweden bridles!

[RPM]

The most expensive one looks the most uncomfortable to me.

I don’t like any of them. The second one looks like two or three different bridles put together – browband from one, cavesson from another, etc.

The third one is the least unattractive to me, but it and number two just look tacky. No pun intended.

I like plain, classic black bridles. White lining/padding is nice, but I want the browband and cavesson to match, and to complement the cheek and other straps. Plain strapwork complements the horse’s head and that is the only statement a bridle needs to make.

The look more than the brand (although nothing against the brand):

http://www.dressageextensions.com/erogonomic-snaffle-iii/p/2166/

[Come_Shine]

I love my PS of Sweden bridles too but the price point is a bit different.

[halt]

I agree, BR bridles are nice but different price point. I’d put them on par with Vespucci. They are not easy to get in the US - did you get yours through a rep, @jdm ? Last year before I bought my Eponia I tried to get a BR, I don’t remember the model but it was black with topaz colored browband stone settings… I was all ready to pay until the rep told me that it’d cost about $400… If I’m going to spend $400 on a bridle I’m going to get an Otto Schumacher custom :lol:

I think Vespucci has a more economic line that is about $200, I think Dover sells it… Veritas? Or something?

[equiniphile]

I’ll be the voice of dissent about Schockemoehle…I’ve seen and used several of their bridles long-term on a variety of horses and have not had an issue with quality or wear on anything other than the rubber-lined snaffle reins. I would not recommend those, as they do seem to fray quickly, but the bridles are absolutely lovely. Thinking back, I have only ever used their rolled bridles, so perhaps there’s a difference in quality between the rolled and plain leather?

[netg]

@equiniphile

I’ll be the voice of dissent about Schockemoehle…I’ve seen and used several of their bridles long-term on a variety of horses and have not had an issue with quality or wear on anything other than the rubber-lined snaffle reins. I would not recommend those, as they do seem to fray quickly, but the bridles are absolutely lovely. Thinking back, I have only ever used their rolled bridles, so perhaps there’s a difference in quality between the rolled and plain leather?

Mine isn’t rolled, and has held up perfectly. I am not so great with caring for my tack and our weather is very hard on tack, but it’s still nice looking and in good shape after a year and a half. My only issue is that the full size are closer to oversize, so it’s on the tightest holes on my horse who has a larger than average sized head for horse sized bridles.

[LadyNeon01]

My friend, my BO, and I all have Bridle2Fit bridles that we got at the Omaha World Cup Finals. Friend and BO both got full bridles while I got everything but the noseband (have a Tota Comfort noseband).

I love that the Bridle2Fit crownpiece has closer holes for a finer adjustment of the noseband and cheekpieces. The padding is nice and soft too. It fits my Trakehner gelding’s head wonderfully.

The leather is really nice. I’m horrible about cleaning my bridle and only do it occasionally. So far, so good with no weird wear or cracks. In other words, its breaking in nicely.

If you go with Bridle2Fit, you’ll need the throatlatch piece unless you can swipe one off your other bridle. It buckles at both ends and is sold separately.

[mydogs]

@equiniphile

I’ll be the voice of dissent about Schockemoehle…I’ve seen and used several of their bridles long-term on a variety of horses and have not had an issue with quality or wear on anything other than the rubber-lined snaffle reins. I would not recommend those, as they do seem to fray quickly, but the bridles are absolutely lovely. Thinking back, I have only ever used their rolled bridles, so perhaps there’s a difference in quality between the rolled and plain leather?

Just curious, why did you go with the rolled leather?

[equiniphile]

@mydogs

Just curious, why did you go with the rolled leather?

Aesthetics. I love a nice rolled bridle.

[phoenixrises]

@equiniphile

Aesthetics. I love a nice rolled bridle.

Me too that’s why I bought the eponia rolled. Just love the look.

[jdm]

@mydogs

What about the crown piece do you not like? How does the BR bridle fit better?

i meant to say bridle, not browband. I find the really “ergonomic” bridles to a) be much harder to fit because your horse’s measurements and bone structure have to absolutely match every curve of the leather, and there isn’t any leeway for a head with different proportions. Also, b) they disrupt the natural elegance of the horse’s face. Instead of a bridle enhancing your horses beautiful features, it looks utilitarian and almost messy. I end up looking only as the shape of the bridle, not your horse’s gorgeous face! There are many bridles that are just cut back a bit behind the ears and taper off a bit on the sides of the cavesson, and they look much more elegant than the bridles which are insanely altered to be “ergonomic”

i bought ny BR bridles from reps that carry the BR lines in their tack shops (both from out of town)

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

The Solo Swerve one is gorgeous!

[Puddin_Pie]

I have the solo swerve and have been very happy so far. It is Indian leather, but way better quality then Indian leather used to be. Don’t forget those are Canadian dollars, so if you are in the US, they will be cheaper.

[mydogs]

@Puddin Pie

I have the solo swerve and have been very happy so far. It is Indian leather, but way better quality then Indian leather used to be. Don’t forget those are Canadian dollars, so if you are in the US, they will be cheaper.

That is great to hear! How do you like the crown piece? Do you think it helps to provide comfort to the horses poll and is it cut back enough to give the ears some room?