Hunt bridle with mono or comfort crown?

[GreyDes]

Has anyone seen a hunt bridle with a monocrown or comfort crown (caveson strap over the crown)?

I’d like to get my Arab something a little more traditional than my Micklem for hunting. We’re pretty low key about turnout, so I don’t need to have a true hunt bridle, but I’d really like to

Here’s the tricky part - he’s fussy about pressure on the back of his ears, and likely needs a pony size with a cob browband.

I’m willing to spend a decent amount for a bridle that will be comfortable and hold up to hunting. The only bridle I’ve found that might work is the Jerry’s custom sized with a flat noseband, but it’s hard to tell from the website photos how traditional looking it is. Has anyone seen that in person? Can you suggest something else that might work?

Here’s a recent photo to give you an idea of his head size/shape - http://wentworthhunt.shutterfly.com/pictures/4128#4138

[otterhound]

Sorry I can’t help cos I’m in New Zealand and we’re not that fussy about bridles, but your horse is gorgeous! I’m not “into” Arabs, but could definitely make an exception for yours!

[T-storm_chick]

Try looking at the bridles at Schneiders (www.sstack.com). They have Arabian English tack and more regular hunter/jumper bridles with lots of padding, comfort crowns, ear cut outs, etc. They are lovely quality for the price and I am sure in the regular hunter/jumper stuff there is one that would pass for a traditional hunt bridle…or at least, you could use the bridle and swap the cavesson out for a flat one. Good luck!

[candysgirl]

I don’t have any bridle suggestions unfortunately, but yay for hunting Arabs! My Arab hunts in the HDR traditional bridle. The cob size (he can wear a yearling sized Hamilton halter) fits his tiny little head fine. Our every day bridle is a cob size Premier bridle from Schneiders. He’s not overly sensitive about anything touching his ears though.

[Kitt]

Check with Martin Zalud at www.zaludsaddlery.com. He does custom bridles for about the same price as (and sometimes less than) a good quality off-the-rack bridle. I’ve sent a lot of customers his way with unusual bridle requests (pony-size dressage bridle, for example) and the feedback is 100% positive.

[Corky]

Hmm, if I were you I think I’d go custom, that or find a nice traditional hunt bridle that fits nicely and have it altered to either pad or do a cut out at the poll.

Very pretty creature, and good for you getting her that white!

[jaybird660]

Black Country makes some nice hunt bridles but they don’t come inexpensively! You can check them out on their site. We ,(Trumbull Mtn), have ordered a couple lately for customers and they are quite nice.

[GreyDes]

Thanks all! I’ll check into these suggestions.

Otterhound - thank you for the kind words. He’s a fun guy!

Candysgirl - do you think the Schneiders run on the small side? My guy is in a cob size Micklem, but I had to punch an extra hole, and he’s pony in a lot of brands.

[rocky213]

Bartville of course !! They can make you the comfort crown and mix and match parts. They make a traditional hunt bridle that is not very expensive, but the quality is fantastic !! its probably around $95 without reins.

[candysgirl]

My Arab has a TINY head. Literally wears a yearling sized nylon halter. However, Schneider’s is geared towards Arabs, so their stuff all tends to fit them really well in my experience. Cob everything I’ve bought from Schneider’s fits him well. I’m not entirely sure how that translates to ‘cob’ other stuff though. He’s right in the middle holes in the Premier bridle. The HDR bridle (not from Schneider’s) is on the smaller settings, but also looks nice on his tiny little head. I haven’t punched new holes in either.

The same ‘cob’ Premier bridle also fit a large pony I was training. It was all the way down on the smallest settings, but it did work on him too.

[GreyDes]

Thanks all! I’m going to take measurements tomorrow for Zalud to make one for me. The bridles look great, and I really like the idea of buying from someone just a few hours away.

FYI - he quoted me $208 for a custom sized monocrown bridle with a flat browband and cavesson, which I thought was pretty reasonable.

I’ll post photos after I get it. Thanks again for all the great suggestions!

[GreyDes]

I got my bridle from Zalud, and am very impressed! The leather quality is great - it needs a little softening, but the quality is terrific. I ended up buying the laced reins as well.

The bridle fits nicely, and Martin was great to work with!

I haven’t had a chance to get any pictures yet, but will try to take a few this weekend.

[Kitt]

So glad to hear Martin has nailed it yet again! Looking forward to seeing the photos!

[GreyDes]

Here’s my long-delayed photo of the bridle. I love it, and my Arab seems very comfortable in it.

Kitt - thank you again!