Looking for a bridle with SOFT leather!

[YellowPonyEventer]

So I have been on the hunt for a dark brown hunter bridle for a while now, with a noseband ideally less than 1" wide for my petite boy’s face…I’ve tried multiple brands, ranging in price from $150-250 but so far all the bridles I’ve received are super stiff leather that doesn’t appear that it will soften at all with oil. I asked a local tack shop about it and they told me it’s because those bridles had “sealed” their leather. I even went back to an old brand I knew well, HDR, who used to have really nice soft leather for the price and they’ve moved to this “sealed leather” now too! My trainer has one and she’s tried for a year to soften it up with conditioners/oils, to no avail.

So…I am willing to go up on my budget if it means finding the perfect bridle! What brands offer the soft, supple leather that easily takes oil?

Example…I own this dressage bridle and it came to me already soft and supple and takes conditioner very well! LeMieux Arika Anatomical Removable Flash Bridle | Riding Warehouse

Unfortunately, all of LeMieux’s hunter bridles have wide nosebands, which won’t work for his petite face - otherwise I’d just buy another one of their bridles!

[2DogsFarm]

I don’t know what you’re looking for as a Hunter bridle, but that link showed several bridles with narrow nosebands at some bargain basement prices.
Notably this

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Kincade_Plain_Raised_English_Bridle/descpage-KPEB.html?color=BR

[c0608524]

My Antares bridle I bought in 2016 is beautiful, soft, AND has a thin noseband.

The one I bought in 2023 is also beautiful and soft but by then I believe they only had a wide band available so that’s what I bought.

You might be able to find a used older one for a reasonable price. Be aware that I’m not talking about their signature collection which has a cheaper price point and leather that doesn’t feel as nice.

[YellowPonyEventer]

I’m looking for a darker brown than that… Like a dark Havana brown. Also fancy stitching!

[YellowPonyEventer]

Good to know, thanks!

[Equibrit]

Put your own together here; https://bobbystack.com/product-category/silver-spur-collection/

[stonesong]

I have both an Americana and an aramas bridle and they have lovely soft leather. Would definitely recommend either of those. I like the Americana just a little more but the noseband and throatlatch are just a touch too small for my horse so I don’t use it too often.

[kaya842]

A barn friend has an Ovation bridle that I was surprised by. The leather is nice and soft and a beautiful chocolate brown color. Has the fancy stitching and regular noseband. When I was looking at their options looks like they are in the $180 ish range.

[widge]

I have an Aramas bridle and it’s very soft.

[LCDR]

Three questions I cannot find answers for that I am hoping for a CoTH leather expert to address, please.

1. When did sealed leather become prevalent in tack- if it is indeed now the norm?

2. Do brands of older tack that were supple and soft when purchased a few years ago now come stiffer in new production of those brands due to their new leather now being sealed?

3. I assume the polyurethane or silicone sealant prevents oil uptake into the leather of the new tack. Is there a way to remove the sealant?

[hillary_again]

These are great questions. Hope someone can answer! I’m using a 20 year old Circuit bridle. I remember reading that Buck Davidson had some bridles that he was using, handed down from his dad (hope that I got the right name there). I don’t think these new ones will have that staying power. Looks like some of the padding includes bonded leather.

[Peggy]

For the OP’s price range Ovation is a good choice. It was recommended by JustBridles years ago and I was very pleased.

Does it look and feel like my 20-yo Edgewood? No. So there’s another option if the OP can find used.

My CWD is lovely but it was around $300 for the bridle sans reins “used.” It was actually new. It has a wide noseband which works fine on my petite-headed horse. The sizing might be wonky since it fit my horse when not much else did.

[steelerino]

Expensive but CWD makes some lovely soft bridles. The Voltaire bridle I have is fantastic too.

[YellowPonyEventer]

I had always heard good things about this brand, but I ordered one to try and they too have gone to using that lacquered-up sealed leather!

[YellowPonyEventer]

Oh I used to have an Ovation back in the day that I LOVED! it was so soft and supple right from the start! Sadly, I ordered one recently and it was the stiff sealed leather too! Ughhhh why are all these brands moving to doing that? I hate it!

[YellowPonyEventer]

Ohhh Voltaire I haven’t looked into yet, I’ll check them out! Did you buy yours recently?

[YellowPonyEventer]

I have a CWD saddle that I adore! Unfortunately all their hunter bridles have nosebands that are too wide for my petite boy’s face, or I’d buy one of theirs!

I wish Ovation used the leather they used to back in the day, it was so soft and nice! Today, from the couple bridles I’ve seen of theirs lately, they’ve gone to that sealed leather sadly.

[aBayDay]

Check out Black Diamond Designs on facebook. Gorgeous dark well designed bridles, and will occasionally have returned or used bridles for sale at a steal. A barnmate has one and it is great quality leather, I’ll probably order one as my next bridle.

[flfl11]

Can’t recommend Black Diamond Designs enough! Amy, the owner, is wonderful. I believe the leather is the same as Dy’on. My OTTB has a hard to fit face. Amy does mix and match sizing, sends a measuring guide, and gives you her input on best fit. The bridle is gorgeous and fits beautifully. Her rubber reins are also the best I’ve ever used - super light, perfect feel in your hands.

[Rel6]

Thirding Aramas. So soft and I got it used and in great condition for under $200. They are generously sized - my 17h WB fits okay in an o/s but better in a horse size.