So this will be my 2nd year hunting and I would like to get a traditional Hunt bridle.
I have been looking online and have found the Shires Aviemore which fits the bill. Has anyone bought one? What is the quality?
Are there other suggestions for one. I do need one that would be available in warmblood size.
Thank you for any advice or ideas.
Bobby’s Bobby’s Bobby’s. Hands down
[QUOTE=Winding Down;8764101]
Bobby’s Bobby’s Bobby’s. Hands down[/QUOTE]
I second this.
If you can’t get your hands on a Bobby’s (parts of which make up most of my bridles), Northrun’s English-made line is lovely and the Shires are nice but I feel they need a little TLC (sometimes seem a little dry to start). I work in a shop that stock both and the Northrun is our biggest seller.
I have tried two different Shires hunting bridles (not this one in particular, though) and both bled like crazy–turning my grey mare quite pink around the ears and face.
One of them I sent back, but I kept the other and have been using it on a staff horse. The quality seems decent for the price, IMO.
Something to consider when getting a hunt bridle is fit of the noseband, though. I have now tried four different kinds on my mare and every single one of them rubs her face raw across the front of the noseband. They were all fitted correctly and double checked by knowledgeable hunt folk…she’s just not built for a flat noseband.
[QUOTE=Winding Down;8764101]
Bobby’s Bobby’s Bobby’s. Hands down[/QUOTE]
Yes. I’ve seen quite a few brands and Bobby’s is by far the best quality I’ve come across.
I actually just got a flat bridle from Bartville Harness and was very impressed with the quality! Thick, high quality leather, beveled and burnished edges, roller buckles, etc. The only complication when purchasing from them is the fact that they are an Amish company and only do catalog (no internet) sales. If you are interested, look up Bartville Harness in PA and give them a call to request a catalog. I also got a sandwich case (sans insert) for under $100 and the quality was amazing!
I have a lot of tack from Bartville. I really like it, it is 4 years old now and has held up really well. It does look a little on the ‘clunky’ side according to some people, but I love it. They also sell Nunn Finer reins that just aren’t marked as Nunn Finer, but the same product for a fraction of the price. They are also super nice people. I have seen Bobby’s tack as well and you can’t go wrong with that!
The second quality Smith Worthington hunt bridle served me very well. It costs half of what their English made one does and is made of lovely English leather. I always check the Smith Worthington clearance section when I’m looking for hunt tack.
http://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=97&pg=1
If you wonder what color antique is, go to the saddles page and look at the monoflap jumping saddle which only comes in antique.
Just to chime in that I will be buying from Bobby’s next time I need a bridle.
I paid more for a KL Select (on sale), and it’s a pretty disappointing bridle. You’re not supposed to oil it (according to the tag, it voids the warranty) so it has remained rather stiff. I don’t like the noseband on my delicate TB mare, so took the cavesson off entirely and use it as an exercise bridle. I don’t like the reins, either, so I basically bought a very expensive headstall.
I have the KL Select Foxwell bridle (from VTO) and love the look and quality. It is a heavier bridle, so if you have a horse with a delicate head maybe there is a better choice. The reins are also on the thicker side, so if you prefer thinner reins it might not be for you either. I didn’t bother looking at the tag, so it’s definitely been cleaned and conditioned many times, and while it isn’t as supple as a CWD or Edgewood it’s not excessively stiff.
Does Bobby’s have two different levels of tack? I was considering buying a Bobby’s but then saw one in person with the noseband sewn on without the slots and loop. However, when I look at the picture online the nosebands appear to be sewn on properly. I also prefer an English made bridle (it’s possible I am a tack snob).
[QUOTE=GrayMare;8768063]
Does Bobby’s have two different levels of tack? I was considering buying a Bobby’s but then saw one in person with the noseband sewn on without the slots and loop. However, when I look at the picture online the nosebands appear to be sewn on properly. I also prefer an English made bridle (it’s possible I am a tack snob).[/QUOTE]
I believe they do. I have one of their light weight hunt bridles that fits my petite mare perfectly. It wasn’t bulky enough to fit my new gelding (with a huge head) so I ordered a Bobby’s heavy weight bridle based off what friends have in their tack rooms, mine is in-route so I’ll be able to give a better review when it comes in and I can compare the two.
Why couldn’t one use their Polo Pelham bridle? It’s flat, comes with two sets of flat reins, and costs less than their Heavy weight hunt bridle.
I have an Ovation hunt bridle and I am actually quite impressed with it. Thick yet supple leather, much nicer than I was expecting for the price point. The reins are wider than I prefer, but because my cob takes pony length reins anyways, I swapped the laced reins it came with for a plaited reins instead.
Southern Yankee, please let us (me) know when you receive it.
I’m wondering if the non-slotted nosebands are just a peculiarity of some hunt bridles (due to the stiffness of the leather?), as I saw an Aramas flat hunt bridle the other day that was really lovely (leather and style) except for the cheap appearing way that the noseband was sewn on.
I’d say having a hunt bridle without the noseband in slots is just a way to save a few cents on the bridle. Doing the slots is more complicated and costlier. It’s also stronger, IMO. The only thing holding the noseband on without the slots is stitching, and stitching fails. With the slot, the two parts are held together by leather, not thread. Granted the leather through the slot is stitched at the back, but it is subject to much less pressure than a direct stitch join.
Good bridles also have double leather where the bit is attached to the leather. I figure if the maker doesn’t do that, they will have cut other corners.
The Shire’s bridle will be cheap Indian or Paki leather. It won’t be as strong or long lasting. The one thing you really DO NOT want in the hunt field is broken equipment. If you buy a good bridle and maintain it well, it will last almost a lifetime. Even if you don’t maintain it well, it will last more than twice as long as a poorly maintained Indian leather bridle.
I will be the voice of dissent on Bobby’s bridles. I ordered one after reading everyone’s rave reviews. I was so disappointed. The reins were already cracked and the leather was discolored. I contacted Farm House and they sent me a new set of reins, which again were cracked. I sent those back and Bobby himself called me and sent a whole new bridle himself. I was expecting to be blown away, but it still wasn’t all that much nicer than my backup Ovation hunt bridle. I will give major credit on customer service though, he was incredibly apologetic and very nice! I suggest if you want the real deal to check out these (particularly the first flight which will last a lifetime):
http://www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=category&cat=180
We carry Bobby’s bridles, not the hunt version you got, and am so sorry to hear what happened. That is highly unusual for them to have issues like that so makes me wonder what happened. We have have been pleased and I use one of their bridles on one of my own horses and I have my choice of bridles 
I will see them at AETA in a couple of weeks so I will be sure to check them out close. Glad you found something that works for you. This is why I come to these forums to get experiences and learn new things…and share some stuff too 
I am a fan of the Bartville tack. For a similar price point to the Shires, perhaps a little bit more $, you get a high quality bridle that is made in the USA with quality materials. Plus if anything ever breaks they can replace and repair and it will likely match perfectly. Every single time I’ve ordered from them has been a remarkably pleasant experience and they are not shy to provide you with information and advice. All of my retired foxhounds have Bartville collars for a fraction of the cost of a similar crappy one from Cabelas and most of my schooling bridles are from Bartville.
I have lately had wonderful luck with HDR (Henri de Rivel) hunt bridles. I’ve picked up two on eBay. One was new, one was essentially new. Nice leather, good proportion, look good, sturdy and nicely priced. I also have 3 HDR 5 point breastplates for hunting and again I am pleased with those. Good value indeed.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
