How long can you oil it before it gets all mushy?
[QUOTE=ThirdCharm;7538339]
Note to those having problems with the poll pressure… The nose straps are NOT supposed to be tight! It is not supposed to increase poll pressure, that is why it is padded and wider with cut outs behind the ears… The nose straps should just lay against the skin snugness wise, so as to keep the bridle in place.
The correct function of a Micklem, as I understand it, is to give you a way to hang a bit on the horse with as little discomfort and interference to the horse as possible.
I have several Micklems, my horses go great in them. My mare went from requiring a Gag on xc to a Micklem with a Nathe snaffle.[/QUOTE]
The mechanics of the Micklem ensure poll pressure is heavier. Thick padding and monocrowns are just an advertising gimmick - they do nothing to alleviate pressure… When you tighten the noseband (we are talking ‘snug’, like you said) it automatically changes the way any cavesson applies pressure.
The mechanics work similar to a drop noseband, which applies pressure lower, which pulls the cavesson down and conversely, affects pressure applied on the poll.
Good insight from everyone!
I went to Dover today and they had quite a few of them and the leather seemed nice. I’m worried about fit though, my horse wears a cob bridle but usually on the last holes. I’d love if it could fit my horse with a bigger head too though.
I also wish it didn’t come with reins, I don’t really like them and it’d be cheaper!
[QUOTE=2LaZ2race;7538614]
Good insight from everyone!
I went to Dover today and they had quite a few of them and the leather seemed nice. I’m worried about fit though, my horse wears a cob bridle but usually on the last holes. I’d love if it could fit my horse with a bigger head too though.
I also wish it didn’t come with reins, I don’t really like them and it’d be cheaper![/QUOTE]
There is someplace…uh, riding warehouse maybe? That will give you a ~$60 credit towards alternative reins if you send them back.
[QUOTE=soloudinhere;7538643]
There is someplace…uh, riding warehouse maybe? That will give you a ~$60 credit towards alternative reins if you send them back.[/QUOTE]
Thanks!
I too have two Micklem’s, and noticed a big difference. I also recently switched bits from her favorite KK to a Lorenzini Eggbutt and WOW what a difference. She has the bit just where she wants it in her mouth and the connection is true. Her head is a bit higher… where it should be, poll at highest point.
I have one and I like it. I use it on a pony that will not tolerate a flash noseband. She doesn’t mind the drop on the Micklem.
I disagree that the design inevitably increases poll pressure. I think that it is going to be no worse than any other standard bridle, and can potentially be better, depending upon how it is fitted and adjusted.
I am using the drop to help raise and stabilize the bit in my pony’s mouth, not to tie it shut. With this adjustment, some of the poll pressure that would be from the weight of bit is taken up instead by the drop strap trying to be straight, plus a little bit on the nose unless the head is vertical or behind the vertical.
I use one, I tried one on my other horse at first and he didn’t like it, but now he is going better than ever in it, so two of mine are currently in them. They seem to really encourage the horse to reach into the bridle.
Will the horse feel rein instructions through the noseband? Almost like the Myler Combination bridle?
Does the bottom strap keep their mouth closed like a flash noseband? Will it work without that strap? (I’m not liking the look of that.)
What different kinds are there? I’m seeing a Competition, which I assume is their regular bridle, and a Multi Bridle, which has a bitless configuration. Is there anything else?
Does anybody know if they can be made to order? I also have a horse with a weird head. Nothing, so far, has fit off the rack.
[QUOTE=beowulf;7538569]
The mechanics of the Micklem ensure poll pressure is heavier. Thick padding and monocrowns are just an advertising gimmick - they do nothing to alleviate pressure… When you tighten the noseband (we are talking ‘snug’, like you said) it automatically changes the way any cavesson applies pressure.
The mechanics work similar to a drop noseband, which applies pressure lower, which pulls the cavesson down and conversely, affects pressure applied on the poll.[/QUOTE]
Advertising gimmick? Stick your hand under the crown of any bridle and feel the difference in the single crown bridles, they are definitely more comfortable. You shouldn’t have to have your nosebands very tight with a Micklem. I would love to see research that drops or Micklems apply more pressure to the poll.
[QUOTE=Cindyg;7538834]
Will the horse feel rein instructions through the noseband? Almost like the Myler Combination bridle?
Does the bottom strap keep their mouth closed like a flash noseband? Will it work without that strap? (I’m not liking the look of that.)
What different kinds are there? I’m seeing a Competition, which I assume is their regular bridle, and a Multi Bridle, which has a bitless configuration. Is there anything else?
Does anybody know if they can be made to order? I also have a horse with a weird head. Nothing, so far, has fit off the rack.[/QUOTE]
I think everyone here is discussing its use with a bit. The Multi Bridle has a bitless option, but can be used exactly like the Competition bridle.
The bottom strap that goes below the chin works like a drop noseband. To use the bridle without it would require cutting it off. I do not believe it would be a legal bridle without the bottom noseband.
You cannot have them made to order but I think you could find a size that would fit, perhaps swapping in a different browband. Because the straps are simpler and more direct you might find that it fits acceptably. On the downside, it’s a little trickier to make the right choice of size in the first place if you’re in between.
[QUOTE=2LaZ2race;7538614]
I went to Dover today and they had quite a few of them and the leather seemed nice. I’m worried about fit though, my horse wears a cob bridle but usually on the last holes. I’d love if it could fit my horse with a bigger head too though. [/QUOTE]
The Micklems run small, so in your situation, I’d go for the horse size. My horse wears a cob size, not on the last holes, but that’s where we’re at in a Micklem.
^^^ this. All of my horses are between cob and horse and the horse size works best on all of them.
Another plus about the Micklem: easy to clean!
And I also don’t like the reins for dressage but they are “okay” for the jump bridles.
I have an Appendix mare with the QH baby doll head. The Horse/standard fit, but we are on the last holes for the chin strap and the bit pieces, items that can be easily “tailored”. if need be. Lots of extra holes in the “cheek” pieces (length).
About oiling, tbchick…I cleaned it with a lick of Fiebrings saddle soap, and then oiled the unfinished leather with Bienennenwachs…the stuff in the orange bottle. I paid particular attention to the stiff pieces…ie, the bit straps. Let it soak in and added a little more where the leather told me that it was thirsty.
I do not like mushy tack either. I always go by the rule of using saddle soap to clean and put a shine on tack, and oil the underside and and unfinished sides of the leather.
[QUOTE=ThirdCharm;7538339]
Note to those having problems with the poll pressure… The nose straps are NOT supposed to be tight! It is not supposed to increase poll pressure, that is why it is padded and wider with cut outs behind the ears… [/QUOTE]
Worth repeating. the cutouts, BTW face away from the ears, they don’t go around them.
My husband’s horse has an asymmetric jaw and we use the clips on her to keep the bit positioned correctly off her bars. She’s a hard fit for bit position because she has low fleshy corners to her mouth. He trail rides her everywhere with the clips and it keeps her from getting bumped when he has to suddenly take up the reins.
It is not supposed to keep the mouth shut. It is there to help stabilize the bit in the mouth. Interestingly, I had a new dressage trainer out the other day when looking at my bridle specifically noted that the flash on the micklem should be loose, when I mentioned I don’t like a tight flash.
Some horses love it, some don’t. It’s not magikal, but it really does make some horses happier. I could get all technical, but that’s basically what it boils down to. 
Gotta chime back in here. I just updated my thread in the horse care section. My horse’s head tossing/fence refusing problem is gone largely if not completely due to the Micklem bridle. I made some adjustments, brought the bit down to where there were almost no wrinkles but instead used the flash to loosely stabilize it in his mouth. I despise tight flashes, so that would have been a deal breaker for me too if that could not work adjusted loosely. It worked great. He was absolutely perfect today and the flat and enthusiastically jumped every fence I pointed him at. It might not be a magic bridle, but it sure is a fantastic design. I’m off to oil my new bridle (thanks dee-vee) and if anyone is looking for a regular bridle, I now have some for sale!
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;7538837]
Advertising gimmick? Stick your hand under the crown of any bridle and feel the difference in the single crown bridles, they are definitely more comfortable. You shouldn’t have to have your nosebands very tight with a Micklem. I would love to see research that drops or Micklems apply more pressure to the poll.[/QUOTE]
I have, check yourself when the bridle is fitted and adjusted - and have someone sit on the horse’s back and pull. See for yourself.
Just because it feels oh so soft and cushy disengaged doesn’t mean it is any different when the bit is in place and pressure is put on it. It still applies the same amount of pressure as a normal cavesson - and from what I’ve noticed, more because of the drop type action.
The poll sensitive horses usually don’t like Micklems. I find this is the reason why.
Just a word about poll pressure.
With the horses I ride I had to have the bit WAY UP in the horse’s mouth, like 2 or 3 wrinkles, to fit the chin strap (which is wide, very wide.) This, of course, puts more pressure on the poll.
I finally took the chin strap OFF of my Micklems. Now the bit can hang where the horses want it (from touching the lips to one wrinkle) and the horses are MUCH happier. I also had to replace those cute little bit straps with cut down flash noseband attachments to get enough length for the horses’ comfort. There is no poll pressure now.
I do not show so I do not know if this would be acceptable in the shows.
I love my Micklem bridles and now the horses like them too.
To get one to fit one Arab mare I had to combine the pony sized nose piece with the horse sized crown piece and browband. She really needs a small horse browband. Maybe someday we will be able to order the parts in sizes that fit our individual horses and get away with ordering just one bridle.
