Look at the Kavalkade Ivy. The shape of the cavason (noseband) curvier nicelhy around the cheek bones—I removed the flash. The reins arena to nice but…
I purchased the Kavalkade “Ivy” bridle from Equizone Online earlier this year. There is a sheepskin padded option that might work for you. Overall I am very happy with the bridle and my horse is very comfortable wearing it. When wearing her previous bridle she was constantly trying to rub her face, and the end of our rides would start to shake her head. This behaviour completely stopped when I switched bridles.
Prior to purchasing the above bridle, I had borrowed a Micklem “Competition bridle” from a friend. While my horse went well in it, I was unimpressed by the leather quality for the price that they retail for. Sadly I could not find any used in my area.
Here is a link if you are interested in the Kavalkade bridle: https://equizoneonline.com/collections/kavalkade
I got a Fairfax Dropped Nose Snaffle - really interesting design/development process: https://www.fairfaxsaddles.com/bridles/bridle-testing-and-design
They’re expensive, but the quality is lovely, and my boy likes his quite a bit. Sometimes you can find them used on eBay.
Eponia is very well padded with cut back gel crown piece and extra long browbands. Leather is soft but I did get a little fading in the softer lining on one bridle after a year (other bridle is fine). I also like the passier fortuna with elastic inserts.
I have one, I like it for the price. The leather is about the same as micklem (meaning a little ‘cheap’ feeling and stiff for my tastes,) but at least I feel the price for that is more inline with the smartpak one versus the micklem. As someone else mentioned, it’s not a dropped noseband like the micklem, but more of an ergonomic standard noseband. Outside of the leather, the design seems thoughtful and I like the padding. I think the sizing of it is true to size, while my micklems never seem to quite fit anyone right.
Overall I like it, and I think my pony has been happier in it.
I picked up their Wellfleet a few months ago when it was a bargain at $129 (originally $249); now it’s $99 and I say go for it! I swapped out the browband for something more neutral and at $99 you can really go to town. I find the leather and padding really soft, and I’m fussy about reins but these have been just fine. The patent noseband is awesome. They have other colorways and styles as well; many on sale!
PS. I have the Micklem Competition bridle and the leather does need conditioning — I think I’ve given it 1-2 good overnight soaks in a ziploc w/ neatsfoot to make it more supple in the year I’ve had it, but the parts that inevitably get damp when rinsing the bit tend to harden up if you don’t have something on hand to restore it.
Will probably keep in rotation until it gives up, but can’t say I’d go out of my way to buy one again.
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Lumiere Equestrian.
It’s an Australian company, but the exchange rate works in your favour.
The bridles are really good quality, especially for the price.
