I am trying a Micklem bridle on my overall very skin sensitive horse and I think she likes it better than a traditional bridle. However, we both prefer (and it fits her better) if I fasten the lowest strap immediately behind the bit instead of in front of the bit as the instructions show. Does anyone know if this is legal for showing? Does the Micklem bridle legality hinge on where this strap is fastened? It seems like it shouldn’t, but rules are weird! 
You don’t want to place the lower strap of the Miklem, which is essentially a flash behind the bit. If it is behind the bit you have a very good chance of pinching your horses lips between the bit and the strap.
It definitely isn’t pinching…but my horse doesn’t have very fleshy lips so I guess it could on a different horse. I also don’t have this strap even remotely tight (just enough so it is not flapping).
If no one knows the answer, can someone point me in the right direction to ask USEF? I tried looking on their website for who to email with rule questions, but couldn’t find anything…
[QUOTE=WasthatC;8591994]
You don’t want to place the lower strap of the Miklem, which is essentially a flash behind the bit. If it is behind the bit you have a very good chance of pinching your horses lips between the bit and the strap.[/QUOTE]
It may not look like it is pinching, but when you take up contact on the the bit there very well can be interference in the comunication caused by the strap being in the wrong place. Bottom line, I would consider it dangerous to ride with the Micklem fitted that way
I too ride a very sensitive horse that previously dealt with a lot of bit abuse. He does wonderfully in the Micklem.
I have to agree that putting the flash in a place it’s not designed is dangerous. I understand having a horse that’s sensitive to aids, but this could lead to a lot more harm than good.
It seems quite similar to seeing western riders not wanting to use curb chains with curb bits.
As far as the USEF, I’ll have to find it, but I believe there is verbage that essentially says all equipment must be used the way it was designed.
You might,
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check with a TD who lives in your area
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e-mail USEF
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call Horseware and discuss fit issues with them, 1-800-887-6688
I can’t picture how you would even attach the bit and be able to fasten this strap in this manner unless you have the bit attached wrong, and therefore the entire bridle fitted incorrectly. If the noseband were fitted properly and you tried to attach the flash strap behind the bit, the bit would have to be hanging against the horse’s front teeth.
Something is not right with the way you’ve put the bridle together or fitted it for this to be possible.
I am confused by the configuration as well. This leaves a lot of straps in one area.
can you link to a picture?
have you considered figure 8
[QUOTE=soloudinhere;8593773]
I can’t picture how you would even attach the bit and be able to fasten this strap in this manner unless you have the bit attached wrong, [/QUOTE]
I use a Micklem bridle and I can see very easily how one could fasten the bottom strap above the bit rather than below. I wouldn’t do it, but it would be easy to do.
I looked at a lot of pictures online when I was trying to get the right size for my horse (I’m actually using pieces of two different sizes to get a decent fit) and get it fitted properly. There are definite horse-to-horse differences in the relative position of the lower D-rings on the noseband and the corner of the horse’s mouth. For some horses, it would indeed be difficult to fasten the bottom strap above the bit, but for others, it would be easy.
[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8594174]
I use a Micklem bridle and I can see very easily how one could fasten the bottom strap above the bit rather than below. I wouldn’t do it, but it would be easy to do.
I looked at a lot of pictures online when I was trying to get the right size for my horse (I’m actually using pieces of two different sizes to get a decent fit) and get it fitted properly. There are definite horse-to-horse differences in the relative position of the lower D-rings on the noseband and the corner of the horse’s mouth. For some horses, it would indeed be difficult to fasten the bottom strap above the bit, but for others, it would be easy.[/QUOTE]
Did you have to buy 2 Micklems, or were parts available? My horse is between sizes too.
Perhaps I need to fiddle with the fit more? If so, specific suggestions?
I should mention my horse doesn’t need a flash noseband (or any noseband, except they are required to show) so I don’t need a figure 8 or other noseband configuration. I specifically want the Micklem (or similar) to make the bridle more comfortable on the rest of her head.
If someone could point me in the direction of the right email address to ask USEF regarding legality, that would be very helpful!
Your bit is too low.
The Micklem bridle doesn’t seem to fit your horse very good.
Browband looks tight and the noseband looks like it’s not at the right place.
The “flash” part of the Micklem has a purpose in weight distribution, if you are not going to use it the way it is supposed to, I really don’t understand why you want one. It won’t be more comfy if it’s not properly fitted.
Buy yourself a nice padded monocrown bridle that fits and your horse will be more confortable.
[QUOTE=alibi_18;8594625]
Your bit is too low.
The Micklem bridle doesn’t seem to fit your horse very good.
Browband looks tight and the noseband looks like it’s not at the right place.
The “flash” part of the Micklem has a purpose in weight distribution, if you are not going to use it the way it is supposed to, I really don’t understand why you want one. It won’t be more comfy if it’s not properly fitted.
Buy yourself a nice padded monocrown bridle that fits and your horse will be more confortable.[/QUOTE]
I’m sorry, but the bit isn’t too low - it sits at the corner of her lips with approx. 1 wrinkle. This is the proper placement for a bit IMHO. The browband doesn’t seem tight to me - lots of room for several fingers under there. Are you suggesting the noseband should be higher or lower? What makes you suggest that?
I have never read that the lower strap is responsible for “weight distribution” - perhaps you could direct me to where you read that? What weight is being distributed? The primary benefit of a Micklem bridle is where it sits in relation to the facial nerves and the avoidance of pressure on the molars. I cannot see how the different placement of the lower strap affects either of these features.
With all due respect, a padded monocrown offers none of the Micklem’s benefits, so the suggestion that it will make my horse more comfortable seems without foundation. The Micklem is the first bridle my horse has actually offered to put her head in, so I am pretty confident it makes her more comfortable.
I will investigate the possible pinching with the lower strap behind the bit next time I put the bridle on. If anyone has concrete suggestions on how to alter the fit (to allow the strap to be in front of the bit without pushing it up further into her mouth and to prevent the bit cheek pieces from catching in the strap rings) or even an answer to my original post, it would be much appreciated!
There is a rule that all equipment must be used as it was designed. People are familiar enough with the micklem that they know this is not how it should be put on - at best I would expect to be corrected by someone before you go in the ring, whether the judge eliminates you is maybe unknown territory.
The bridle wasn’t designed to be used this way. The bit attachment is meant to be used with the front strap supporting the bit from the front to help keep the bit still in the mouth. It’s part of the bridle design.
I use a micklem on a pony with a large D ring and nothing catches. I think you still don’t have it fitted right and if I had to guess, you have the nosepiece too high.
[QUOTE=leheath;8594628]
I’m sorry, but the bit isn’t too low - it sits at the corner of her lips with approx. 1 wrinkle. This is the proper placement for a bit IMHO. The browband doesn’t seem tight to me - lots of room for several fingers under there. Are you suggesting the noseband should be higher or lower? What makes you suggest that?
I have never read that the lower strap is responsible for “weight distribution” - perhaps you could direct me to where you read that? What weight is being distributed? The primary benefit of a Micklem bridle is where it sits in relation to the facial nerves and the avoidance of pressure on the molars. I cannot see how the different placement of the lower strap affects either of these features.
With all due respect, a padded monocrown offers none of the Micklem’s benefits, so the suggestion that it will make my horse more comfortable seems without foundation. The Micklem is the first bridle my horse has actually offered to put her head in, so I am pretty confident it makes her more comfortable.
I will investigate the possible pinching with the lower strap behind the bit next time I put the bridle on. If anyone has concrete suggestions on how to alter the fit (to allow the strap to be in front of the bit without pushing it up further into her mouth and to prevent the bit cheek pieces from catching in the strap rings) or even an answer to my original post, it would be much appreciated![/QUOTE]
Not quite sure why you asked any questions here You obviously know more than the rest of us chumps.
I am sure the contact I could give for USEF would not be correct.
Good luck in your quest
I found the Smartpak fitting videos were helpful with my Micklem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KoFFu9uAO0
If you do a quick Google image search, it’s evident the d-rings sometimes clear the bit by quite a lot, and in other cases the d-rings sit right on top, sometimes slightly on top of, the bit. Depends on the shape of the horse’s face.
In the USEF rule book, below the pics of the permitted bits, are pics of the permitted cavesson shapes, showing proper placement. The Micklem is shown as it is designed to be used, with the chin strap running in front of the bit.
I see what you have done… you have the bit hangers really long and the cheek pieces really short, so the upper strap sits half way down the cheekbones, rather than in front of them, and the nose band is operating like a cavesson rather than a drop. Interesting. I don’t think that’s what Micklem had in mind when he designed it. Do you still feel in this configuration it is avoiding the molars?
They are blessed hard to fit correctly. I’m still tinkering with mine.
I asked my questions here because I was hoping for some helpful answers rather than unsupported, unrequested criticism and unhelpful comments (telling someone something is in the wrong place is only helpful if you then suggest where the right place might be and why). Thank you to those that responded helpfully and logically to the questions I actually asked.
[QUOTE=soloudinhere;8594682]
There is a rule that all equipment must be used as it was designed. People are familiar enough with the micklem that they know this is not how it should be put on - at best I would expect to be corrected by someone before you go in the ring, whether the judge eliminates you is maybe unknown territory.
…
I use a micklem on a pony with a large D ring and nothing catches. I think you still don’t have it fitted right and if I had to guess, you have the nosepiece too high.[/QUOTE]
Thank you. I wasn’t aware of the “as designed” rule, which would seem to rule out my configuration as I have never before used any “out of the ordinary” equipment. The catching of the bit in the rings that hold the lower strap appears to be because I use a fulmer snaffle while most people do not seem to use a fulmer or full cheek snaffle with this bridle. I’m confident an eggbut, loose ring, or D ring snaffle wouldn’t have that problem. But if I have the fit slightly off, this could also contribute?
[QUOTE=atr;8595893]I see what you have done… you have the bit hangers really long and the cheek pieces really short, so the upper strap sits half way down the cheekbones, rather than in front of them, and the nose band is operating like a cavesson rather than a drop. Interesting. I don’t think that’s what Micklem had in mind when he designed it. Do you still feel in this configuration it is avoiding the molars?
They are blessed hard to fit correctly. I’m still tinkering with mine.[/QUOTE]
Thanks - there is definitely more tinkering possible with the fit of these bridles than I really expected (videos made it look very easy!). It is comforting to know that I am not the only person struggling to get it “just right”!
I have no hands-on experience with fitting a drop noseband and was pretty paranoid about it being too low (multiple fitting videos warned about that, so I figured erring on the side of too high was better, but perhaps not), so I think the comment that I have it set more as a cavesson than it should be is true.
I actually don’t think this configuration completely avoids the molars, but the horse seems more comfortable, probably because the lower strap isn’t pushing the bit too far up into her mouth (lesser of evils from her perspective?). I looked closely at the video linked above (thanks) alongside my photo and I can now see how if the noseband was a little lower, it could make the lower strap sit in front of the bit without pushing it up and might allow the tops of the cheek pieces to not catch on the D rings (although I am not sure about that). However, I previously (and again tonight) watched multiple Micklem fitting videos and my noseband seems to be about the same place as multiple images in those videos, so I am still a little worried about it sitting to low. However, I will try it lower next time I ride and see if it makes the lower strap in front of the bit more comfortable for my horse.
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