Micklem bridle

[blueribbonpaint]

Can anyone who uses a micklem bridle weigh in- would it help a horse who rubs its nose? My gelding pulls down a lot to itch his nose while riding and I’m hoping to resolve it. He’s not blowing his nose or shaking his head, and I’m not sure if the nose rubbing is just an avoidance technique so that he gets to stop and stand and maybe grab a bite of grass while he’s down there. I read that the micklem is designed so the noseband doesn’t put pressure on the facial nerves, so I’m curious if it might be helpful for him.

Thanks!

[TheBrownHorse]

I would try riding without your noseband to see if that helps. Easier and cheaper.

[Kal1]

My horse used to itch his face a lot when I took the bridle off at the end of a ride (usually on me, and usually almost knocking me off my feet🙄). I tried him in the Schockemöhle Equitus Delta bridle as I didn’t want or need the drop noseband/flash found on a lot of other anatomical bridles. It did help a bit I think, but not a huge amount. Ive since switched him back, as he still itches with the bridle on and I would rather have him scratch up my old bridle he’s already banged up than the nice new one.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I use the Micklem bridle. It does remove some of the objections that horses seem to have against regular bridles.

I ride “thrown away” horses at my riding school mostly.

These horses will still rub their face/noses when off contact when I use the Micklem. Taking the chin strap off the Micklem helped some, fewer instances of nose rubbing but it still happened.

What HAS helped, some, is the Fenwick Face Mask (I got mine with ears so I didn’t have to use a fly bonnet.)

Now rubbing the nose is sporadic instead of every ride.

[beowulf]

Rubbing/itching the nose is usually a sign that the noseband or bit is uncomfortable. Loosen the noseband, or remove it rather than look for alternative bridles. It won’t change across bridles much if you’re (general) still overtightening the noseband.

Horses talk to us in many ways to tell us whether or not they like the equipment we are using on them; we just have to pay attention. :encouragement:

FYI - frequent misconception about the Micklem – it puts the most pressure across the nose when properly fastened. It’s impossible to have a pressure-free bridle – the only option is to shift where the main pressure spot is, via bridle design and mechanics.

[foursocks]

My guy has an itchy nose and while it didn’t fit him very well otherwise, he was less itchy in the Collegiate anatomic bridle. I then tried a Schockemohle Equitus Alpha, and that fits him perfectly, AND he’s less itchy than in his regular bridle. I’ve had horses prefer a figure 8 to a flash or even regular noseband, but not this guy. So far, the Schockemohle is hands down the best for fit and less itchiness.

I don’t over-tighten the noseband and making it even looser has never seemed to help. The bridle shape and where the leather lays on the face appears to be the main factor for my horse.

[wildlifer]

Just take off the noseband, that’s the cheapest solution, it’s not actually doing anything anyway. I generally ride without one. Exception being with the Micklem, of course. It can help with face-rubbing for sensitive types, the easiest way to find out is to borrow one. I really like my Micklem, had it for years, but it’s certainly not a magical fairy wand. Two horses have showed subtle improvements with it, the 3rd couldn’t care less what’s on his head.