Micklem Bridle Rules Question

[csaper58]

OP… It would be most helpful if you could post photos of a closeup of your horse’s head with the Micklem on as you have it configured.

I think then you could receive some more accurate advice on fitting the bridle.

I am even more convinced, having seen the photo you posted, that riding with the bridle as you have described is unwise.

If using the Micklem as it was designed is less than comfortable for your horse, perhaps the Micklem is not the best choice for that horse.

Example: I would love to wear low cut breeches if I could pull them up to my waist, but they are made to be low cut breeches.

[Kolsch]

I have a horse with a short mouth that loves a Micklem. To get it to work for him I used the pony sized bit connectors on a full size Micklem and adjusted the cheeks so that the noseband is placed lower than most people would place it. But not lower than one would place a drop.

[atr]

[QUOTE=Kolsch;8596589]
I have a horse with a short mouth that loves a Micklem. To get it to work for him I used the pony sized bit connectors on a full size Micklem and adjusted the cheeks so that the noseband is placed lower than most people would place it. But not lower than one would place a drop.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. I am getting ready to see if I can punch an extra couple of holes in the bit connectors on my horse size to give me exactly that adjustability.

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=csaper58;8594246]
Did you have to buy 2 Micklems, or were parts available? My horse is between sizes too.[/QUOTE]

Here was the progression:

Oversize is OK, but really not quite right. Let’s order a regular and see how it looks, then keep the one that fits best or maybe just return both.

Regular is not quite right, either.

Inspiration: Let’s mix and match. Wow! Half oversize, half regular is perfect.

Me: (Sigh) Sooooooo, I guess I’m buying both of them? :yes:

Maybe we need to start a Micklem Mix-and-Match Club for all of us with horses whose heads aren’t quite right. :lol:

[leheath]

[QUOTE=atr;8596860]
Interesting. I am getting ready to see if I can punch an extra couple of holes in the bit connectors on my horse size to give me exactly that adjustability.[/QUOTE]

I have also seen people use the plastic clips that come with the bridle as shorter bit connectors and they had written confirmation that it is legal.

[leheath]

[QUOTE=csaper58;8596427]
OP… It would be most helpful if you could post photos of a closeup of your horse’s head with the Micklem on as you have it configured.

I think then you could receive some more accurate advice on fitting the bridle.

I am even more convinced, having seen the photo you posted, that riding with the bridle as you have described is unwise.

If using the Micklem as it was designed is less than comfortable for your horse, perhaps the Micklem is not the best choice for that horse.

Example: I would love to wear low cut breeches if I could pull them up to my waist, but they are made to be low cut breeches. :)[/QUOTE]

I will get better photos tomorrow night. Will try lowering the noseband and see how it goes with the strap in front of the bit.

I hear you on the low cut breeches! However, this is the first bridle my horse has willingly put her head into so it is clearly more comfortable to her so just need to figure out how to keep the comfort and make it legal!

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=leheath;8597787]
I will get better photos tomorrow night. Will try lowering the noseband and see how it goes with the strap in front of the bit.

I hear you on the low cut breeches! However, this is the first bridle my horse has willingly put her head into so it is clearly more comfortable to her so just need to figure out how to keep the comfort and make it legal![/QUOTE]

Make sure you shorten the bit loops accordingly when you drop the noseband. Otherwise the bit will move down with it since it’s attached to the noseband.

[mjhco]

[QUOTE=leheath;8597784]
I have also seen people use the plastic clips that come with the bridle as shorter bit connectors and they had written confirmation that it is legal.[/QUOTE]

Could you post the written confirmation clips are legal? It would be good to know who thinks it is legal.

This is from the 2016 USEF DR121 rule

6. Micklem Bridle. Permitted for use at any level where snaffles are permitted. Not permitted for use as a double bridle. Bit clips may not be used with this bridle.

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=mjhco;8598334]
This is from the 2016 USEF DR121 rule

6. Micklem Bridle. Permitted for use at any level where snaffles are permitted. Not permitted for use as a double bridle. Bit clips may not be used with this bridle.[/QUOTE]

But that’s not the same thing as repurposing bit clips as bit connectors. Completely different function. There is no logical reason why one could not repurpose the bit clips as bit connectors. But I recognize that this is not the same as answering the question, “Is it USDF/USEF legal?”

[mjhco]

[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8598535]
But that’s not the same thing as repurposing bit clips as bit connectors. Completely different function. There is no logical reason why one could not repurpose the bit clips as bit connectors. But I recognize that this is not the same as answering the question, “Is it USDF/USEF legal?” :)[/QUOTE]

DR121 .2 could indicate clips not be interpretted as legal as connecters

… Except for the crescent noseband, buckles and a small disk of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband, the headstall and cavesson/noseband of the bridle must be made entirely of leather or leather-like material.

[leheath]

[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8598535]
But that’s not the same thing as repurposing bit clips as bit connectors. Completely different function. There is no logical reason why one could not repurpose the bit clips as bit connectors. But I recognize that this is not the same as answering the question, “Is it USDF/USEF legal?” :)[/QUOTE]

Agree, the comments in the rules is referring to the bit clips being used to transfer rein pressure from the bit to the nose. I will have to go looking for where it was posted that the repurposing of the bit clips was legal…I think it was a thread on here somewhere…it wasn’t me that asked since I still haven’t figured out what email address to use to contact USEF with rule questions!

[leheath]

OK, took some photos today. First, I lengthened the cheek pieces 1 hole (each side) and shortened the bit connectors. I was able to get the lower strap in front of the bit. Rode…much head flinging, but she was a bit fresh so may have not been all the bridle’s fault? Bit continually got caught in lower strap D rings. Here are those photos:
Bit caught (sorry its a little fuzzy…she moved!): image_zps2bvsdwy3.jpeg
Overall view: image_zpsa3y8revp.jpeg
Close up: image_zpsgrrjte9e.jpeg

After I rode, I shortened the cheek pieces, without lengthening the bit connectors and took a few more photos. I feel the bit is too high in the mouth - I typically only ride with 0-1 wrinkle, not 2. However, if I lengthen the bit connectors, I don’t like how the lower strap closes in front of the bit (it pushes it up, which defeats the purpose of lowering the connectors and why I was doing it up behind the bit in the first place!). Here are these photos:
Overall: image_zpsujnuwseh.jpeg
Close up: image_zpsnzzdt3o7.jpeg
Other side: image_zpsya0y1c1r.jpeg
Close up of corner of mouth with lower strap undone: image_zps3p6g3ywb.jpeg

[sammy14]

You may just have a bit that’s too big, as it seems to be sagging even with your version of tight? Fulmer bits are usually used with bit keepers on the top branch which I don’t think would work with that bridle. I think the noseband is now a little too low and too loose also. If the drop part were snug it wouldn’t interfere imo.
An eggbutt works a lot like a Fulmer without the problems you seem to be having.

[cleozowner]

I wouldn’t worry too much about 1 vs 2 wrinkles–horses’ mouths all vary in size, just like people. More importance is bit placement relative to bars/teeth. You may find that the bit is fine with 2 wrinkles (though I agree it looks a bit too big).

[yaya]

If you like how your horse goes with the Micklem with the lower strap behind the bit (which is not the way it is designed), you may want to try a bridle with the Tota Comfort noseband. It is shaped much like the Micklem, but is designed to be a regular cavesson, not a drop or flash. It’s expensive, but I think it will do more easily what you are trying to make the Micklem do.
http://totacomfortsystem.com/shop/

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=mjhco;8598698]
DR121 .2 could indicate clips not be interpretted as legal as connecters

… Except for the crescent noseband, buckles and a small disk of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband, the headstall and cavesson/noseband of the bridle must be made entirely of leather or leather-like material.[/QUOTE]

On the other hand, I think one could make a valid argument that in that arrangement, the bit clips are being used as a buckle and thus do not have to be leather.

Personally, I would probably just rig up some very short leather straps if it came to that, just to avoid any potential conflict. Unless one could indeed get some kind of official statement from USEF to carry around if questioned.

[Desert_Topaz]

I think you’re having the same problem I had. There was no way to adjust a Micklem so the strap that goes in front of the bit didn’t go over the ring of the bit, unless I put the top of the nose part way lower than it’s supposed to go. We ultimately determined my horse has short lips, so where the bit had to sit in relation to the bridle didn’t go with how the bridle was designed. I gave up.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=mjhco;8598698]
DR121 .2 could indicate clips not be interpretted as legal as connecters

… Except for the crescent noseband, buckles and a small disk of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband, the headstall and cavesson/noseband of the bridle must be made entirely of leather or leather-like material.[/QUOTE]

Not to hijack, but I’ve competed quite frequently (and legally) in a bridle with bit clips. Not the same as the Micklem’s bit clips. I have never been stopped or questioned in Area 1 with this bridle.

Specifically, this bridle (but in brown)

Very different from this: click

My understanding is clips are legal if they are @ the end of a cheek piece or used in the place of buckles, hook studs, etc . They are not legal attached to any other part of the bridle.

[AQHAEventer]

I had the same issue you are having with my mare. I finally tossed the o-ring and went with a Dr Bristol snaffle. It fits her perfectly now.

o-ring - Could not get the lower strap to fit properly without interfering with the bit. Even with the bit pulled up higher in her mouth it just was not working for me.
http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/flaxenfilly23/media/image1%202.jpeg.html?sort=6&o=14

Dr Bristol bit - fits her perfectly
http://s1214.photobucket.com/user/flaxenfilly23/media/image2.jpeg.html?sort=6&o=22

[flaxenfilly23]

I had the same issue you are having with my mare. I finally tossed the o-ring and went with an eggbut Dr Bristol snaffle. It fits her perfectly now.

o-ring - Could not get the lower strap to fit properly without interfering with the bit. Even with the bit pulled up higher in her mouth it just was not working for me.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc494/flaxenfilly23/image1%202.jpeg

Eggbut Dr Bristol bit - fits her perfectly
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc494/flaxenfilly23/image2.jpeg