Micklem-style bridles

[Draftmare]

My horse seems to really like the Micklem bridle, but I don’t really love how it looks on her head. I have always gone for thicker nosebands to offset her large head and wide blaze. There are a couple of Micklem style bridles around now, and I am wondering if anybody specifically has experience with the PS of Sweden High Jump or Pioneer or the Schockmehole Equitus Alpha and Beta? Specifically wanting to know if the leather is worth the price, and how they fit large heads. My mare wears OS and frequently needs a draft sized noseband.

My other thought is to go with the Dy’on drop noseband bridle. I like the leather and fit of that brand, its just also a much pricier bridle.

[Somantu]

My TB has a PS Pioneer. It’s not a heavy bridle, so looks good on his finer head. The leather is just ok, not fantastic –– except the padding at the poll and nose. There it’s gooshy and soft, which I love.

It’s a nice fitting bridle but if you order, I strongly suggest measuring your mare and buying the parts separately to custom fit her head. For my horse the cob size was too small in parts, and the full size too large in others.

I don’t think I would buy the PS HighJump. At $339, the leather just isn’t that great. The Pioneer is $275 which in my mind is more aligned with the quality of the leather.

[HJdaydream]

I am not at all impressed with the quality of dyon bridles these days. My trainer had one- the leather was like “fraying” at the edges and threads were coming undone after only 5 months of light use. Thankfully, the local shop she got it from took it back and refunded her. I handled it extensively and did not feel that the leather quality was anywhere near enough for the price- it even looks cheap IMO!

[Somantu]

@Jealoushe

I have the PS high jump bridle, quality is really really nice. They can custom fit the bridle too I also like the jump off, and used that on my mare.

Jealoushe, I wonder if the Pioneer and the HighJump are made of different leathers, hence the price difference? Because on certain straps my Pioneer’s leather is tough –– not at all soft.

[Draftmare]

@HJdaydream

I am not at all impressed with the quality of dyon bridles these days. My trainer had one- the leather was like “fraying” at the edges and threads were coming undone after only 5 months of light use. Thankfully, the local shop she got it from took it back and refunded her. I handled it extensively and did not feel that the leather quality was anywhere near enough for the price- it even looks cheap IMO!

That’s really weird. I have a Dy’on that I used most of the year until switching to the Micklem this fall. Still looks and feels like new. I went with Dy’on as it was the only brand that came in brown with a “dressage cut” noseband.

[leheath]

@Jealoushe

I have the PS high jump bridle, quality is really really nice. They can custom fit the bridle too I also like the jump off, and used that on my mare.

Is the PS High Jump legal for dressage in the US?

[Draftmare]

@leheath

Is the PS High Jump legal for dressage in the US?

With a throat latch it is.

[leheath]

@Draftmare

With a throat latch it is.

Thanks Draftmare. Do have a link for where that information is located?

[outerbanks77]

I have a High Jump Revolution that must have been a factory second or something, because it was $100 on eBay. On my refined 15.3 appendix, the cob was too large. I’m saving it to use on my 16.1 stout warmblood with a larger browband added. Do check how much room your mare has between her ears. The swell at the front of the poll piece hit my mare in the ears. Given that I didn’t pay full price for the bridle I just cut it down to fit and dyed the edge, but I thought it was a fairly bad design for a supposedly anatomic crown piece.

Both my mares are in Micklems, though the WB also has a Fairfax drop nose, which I think is nicer looking. I really wanted the Schockemoehle Equitus for my little mare, but then I read here that the leather is crap for the price, so I’ll probably just stick with the Micklem, which looks just fine with her beaded browband added for a little personality.

[Draftmare]

@leheath

Thanks Draftmare. Do have a link for where that information is located?

It’s in the USDF tack rules.

[Luna]

I had heard from a steward that the PS crown pieces were too wide and thus not legal–has that changed?

[Draftmare]

@Luna

I had heard from a steward that the PS crown pieces were too wide and thus not legal–has that changed?

I am reading through the rules right now, and here is the only thing I find about crown pieces:

A padded cavesson/noseband and crownpiece are allowed.

The crownpiece of the bridle must lie immediately behind the poll and may extend forward onto the poll, but it may not be fitted to lie behind the skull (see diagram). Bridles are not permitted in which the noseband is connected to the bit or cheekpiece below the level of the browband.

And I read through and the only knock against PS of Sweden that I find is that a bridle must have a throat latch unless it is a Micklem.

Which really makes me wonder why the PS of Sweden bridles are considered different than a Micklem, Is it just because they are more of a modified figure eight bridle?

[Draftmare]

Here is the exact wording on a throat latch:

A throatlatch is required except when the combined noseband or Micklem bridle are used.

A throat latch is required except when the combined noseband or Micklem bridle is used. This means that the jowl strap is considered a throat latch and can be used to replace, or be used in addition to, a traditional throat latch. In order to meet the requirements of this rule the jowl strap must be fitted around or immediately below the horse’s jowl. Nosebands with one or two lower (chin) straps must also have a throat latch, as described above. This clarification applies to all dressage levels and tests where a combined noseband is permitted.

What is a combined noseband? A search of google is showing all kind of crazy stuff that I can’t imagine is dressage legal.

[Jealoushe]

They are referring to the different types of nosebands, like PS of Sweden that might be higher up under neath and act as a throat latch, but are not one. The cavesson and the flash part are attached to each other permanently.

[Draftmare]

@Jealoushe

They are referring to the different types of nosebands, like PS of Sweden that might be higher up under neath and act as a throat latch, but are not one. The cavesson and the flash part are attached to each other permanently.

The further down I read I found that it said that all bridles must have two straps above the bit, which is why the Micklem and the Tota are legal, but the very similar PS of Sweden is not legal unless you get the throat latch for them.

[stonesong]

@Draftmare

The further down I read I found that it said that all bridles must have two straps above the bit, which is why the Micklem and the Tota are legal, but the very similar PS of Sweden is not legal unless you get the throat latch for them.

The micklem has just one strap above the bit, though.

[Draftmare]

@stonesong

The micklem has just one strap above the bit, though.

You’re right, everything except the Micklem must have two straps above the bit. The Micklem is kind of in a class of its own.

[Posting_Trot]

I just looked at the Tota bridle. Woof! expensive! Is it worth it?

[Draftmare]

@Posting Trot

I just looked at the Tota bridle. Woof! expensive! Is it worth it?

I am not sure I understand the purpose of it. Looks like a normal noseband but with an extra strap behind the regular cavesson.

[Dutchmare433]

@Posting Trot

I just looked at the Tota bridle. Woof! expensive! Is it worth it?

I’ve met (or know) several people who absolutely swear by it. I have no idea if it’s worth it, but the leather is nice and the horses I’ve known who have then seem happy/comfortable. I’m curious to try it, but not enough to buy one, and not for a horse who is easy in the bridle.