Micklem vs Grackle (figure 8) which is better/opinions/positives and negatives

[hf.eventing]

I am wanting to change my horses bridle and it is a toss up between the micklem and grackle. He is in a plain cavesson right now and has been in a flash before but he does not like that.

Right now (in the cavesson) he can’t hold the contact and is very heavy in my hands and leans down he is very inconsistent i.e he will go behind the bit then in front and from my perspective he is trying to find a comfortable ‘place’.

He also rubs his head excessively after we ride on his leg and then on the railing. Which i have seen can indicate a horse is uncomfortable so would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Another thing my horse (danny) is when it comes to jumping he can also get pretty fast but if i ask him to slow he panicks and goes faster (im guessing its that ‘trapped’ feeling). We have changed his bit he gets ridden in a french link or a myler and he is better - we are working on it in schooling e.t.c because obviously issues cant just be solved with equipment but if one of these bridles could help him in anyway or if you have had an experience similar.

I know just from what i wrote you cant decide which bridle for me ahahha but im just wanting to hear all your experiences with the bridles/opinions of them.

[poltroon]

I like the Micklem because you have the ability to still keep the flash strap fairly loose while using it to stabilize the bit.

However I would say that the noseband alone is not your solution. Remember that it takes two to lean and he cannot lean unless you let him. A technique like an alternate releasing rein, where you simply let go of one side of the bit by shoving your hand forward, can be very effective at stopping the behavior you describe. I also recommend bending and lateral work.

My horse loves the Duo or Nathe bits - soft mullen mouth bits that don’t rattle in her mouth.

[Posting_Trot]

I’ve ridden two different horses in a Micklem and found it beneficial. I don’t believe I’ve ever ridden a horse with a grackle so I can’t make a comparison between the two.

Both of the horses ridden in the Micklem hated flashes, and both tended to be somewhat fussy in the mouth. The Micklem helped with that. It was not a miracle in the sense of an instant enormous difference, but it the change in bridles did absolutely improve the horses’ acceptance of their bits. That and continued training of course.

Good luck.

[Simkie]

I have a horse that goes beautifully in a micklem, because she needs the stability. Movement in her mouth is her nightmare. She hates loose rings. She hated the loose ring myler so much I had to just get off. The micklem, with a solid cheekpiece bit, like a D or eggbutt, is really excellent at providing the stillness she likes. A boucher with a flash is her second favorite setup.

Nothing in what you’ve written screams to me that your horse is looking for something super stable…sounds more like rider contact issue. Sure, try a different bridle or noseband setup–probably won’t hurt. But also sit down and consider what the horse is really telling you. Poltroon has some good suggestions. Also remember that a horse that’s inconsistent into the contact might also just not be FIT enough to hold that contact. It takes a lot of strength to be solid into the hand, and time to build to that.

[kiwichick]

they are very different.
Miklems are desiged to sit around the nerves and bloodflow in the face.
Grackles are a standard bridle, by where the noseband is designed stop a horse crossing its jaw and avoiding the bitting action, which doesnt sound like what is happening with you.
Either of these bridles can be used with the ‘noseband’ very loose. Id be surprised if either bridle had any effect on him being heavy in your hands.

Personally id take the noseband off all together and try and identify what effect the one you are using is even having.

[leheath]

The Micklem bridle made a big difference for my very sensitive horse over even a bridle with no noseband at all. My horse became steadier in the contact with much less head tossing and overall fussing. Much less head rubbing after riding and easier to bridle in the first place. That said, her comfort and thus performance improved even more with more room at the base of her admittedly large ears when we switched to a PS of Sweden bridle (which has way more cut back for the ears).

[eqsiu]

From a biomechanics standpoint, they are fairly similar. The Micklem setup tend to hold the bit more still than a figure 8 does. This can also be accomplished with a boucher or full cheek with keepers. A figure 8 prevents crossing of the jaw much better. It all depends on which aspect your horse is responding to and what evasions he is taking. Previous posters Have offered some good tips for problem solving as well.