So just got this bridle sent in my email. It seems to be a mix of a figure 8 and normal nose band. Now I’m loving all the new engineering of bridles and different ideas, but I’ll admit I’m perplexed what does this do?
I’m currently really wanting the PS of Sweden High Jump which is also a newish design but for that I can see why you’d have the points of contact you have, this one just seems busy and unnecessary
I saw it in the catalog last fall but I have yet to see anyone use it. I guess it would be good if you do lower level jumpers and want to use both a figure 8 and a standing martingale.
It just seems like a lot on the horses’ face.
Though I really like those crown pieces that are a bit set back, they seem to have more room that the traditional design.
Though the only ones I’ve seen are super expensive - at least out of my budget, anyway.
Reminds me of a drawing of a horse I did in elementary school. I had no idea what a halter or bridle was supposed to look like, so I just drew a ton of straps all over the horse’s head until it looked like it was wearing a leather net on its head.
It just seems really confused, like it hasn’t decided what it wants to be when it grows up.
If I want to use a standing martingale with my horse who goes in a drop, I just put a regular caveson on underneath. I’ve never needed to use a standing with a figure 8, but if I did I’d do the same.
Also, because the back of the figure 8 and the caveson are attached on either side by a piece of leather, I imagine getting a correct fit would be tricky on most horses and impossible on some.
That “High Jump Revolution” bridle looks like a variation of a crescent/lever noseband. Also, the lack of a throatlatch looks odd to me. Unlikely to make a difference in how the bridle works, it just looks naked to my eyes.
I think it is very busy.
I think the PS “Jump Off Revolution” is pretty but don’t have one. I like it a lot better than the High Jump. I have had a bridle before without a throat latch with no issues so that doesn’t bother me. No show western bridles have them.
http://www.psofsweden.com/en/for-the-horse/bridle/jump-off-revolution.html
Interesting…
On a side note, the PS of Sweden bridle looks like the Micklem…
https://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/pt/8335?utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=shopping%20-%20nb%20-%20tes&utm_term=18335
That reminds me of the spoof cartoons some talented dressage artist did a few years ago about future dressage and all the equipment needed to contain the horses.
Personally (and I am admittedly a traditionalist when it comes to tack) after buying a Nunn Finer breastplate a while back and discovering that not only was the leather horrid but the ends were held together with plastic rivets (!) I’d be hesitant to buy anything made by them.
You can get a throat latch for the ps of Sweden they just don’t come standard.
In do think the ps is similar to the micklem but leather quality I’d miles apart.
I had one for my very sensitive TB. He started getting a little bullish towards fences and I didn’t want to change his bit. He goes in a regular Nathe on the flat and a Nathe cartwheel cross country. I felt the bits were more than enough for him, control wise. I just needed something as a shorter term training tool to prevent him from opening or crossing his jaw while we went back to basics to build up muscling, which I thought was the root cause of the rushing. The bridle setup was very nice and it was made of lovely quality leather. It worked really well for him and didn’t allow the figure eight portion to slip too low, which is something I worried about with normal figure eights. However, my gelding didn’t like the fit of the lower (flash) portion of the bridle after a bit and told me in no uncertain terms that it was time to go back to a regular cavesson. It served its purpose though, and I wouldn’t hesitate to try it on another horse.
It’s a little busy, but it looks friendly enough. And to be honest, if someone is struggling for control I’d rather see them experiment with bridles before reaching for the hardware aisle.
The leather looks very nice.
[QUOTE=armyeventer;8538090]
I had one for my very sensitive TB. He started getting a little bullish towards fences and I didn’t want to change his bit. He goes in a regular Nathe on the flat and a Nathe cartwheel cross country. I felt the bits were more than enough for him, control wise. I just needed something as a shorter term training tool to prevent him from opening or crossing his jaw while we went back to basics to build up muscling, which I thought was the root cause of the rushing. The bridle setup was very nice and it was made of lovely quality leather. It worked really well for him and didn’t allow the figure eight portion to slip too low, which is something I worried about with normal figure eights. However, my gelding didn’t like the fit of the lower (flash) portion of the bridle after a bit and told me in no uncertain terms that it was time to go back to a regular cavesson. It served its purpose though, and I wouldn’t hesitate to try it on another horse.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the input. I guess I just don’t quite understand how it keeps the lower part of the figure 8 from slipping? Did you try a figure 8 first and that didn’t work so you tried this?
There’s a great way to make sure the horse’s cheek is pressed into the teeth from bit to jowl. Well done!
There’s a great way to make sure the horse’s cheek is pressed into the teeth from bit to jowl. Well done!
[QUOTE=phoenixrises;8538478]
Thanks for the input. I guess I just don’t quite understand how it keeps the lower part of the figure 8 from slipping? Did you try a figure 8 first and that didn’t work so you tried this?[/QUOTE]
I used the center cavesson as the main noseband. The way it’s set up, there’s no slipping when you tighten the upper and lower portions of the noseband. I didn’t try a regular figure 8 on my guy, but I’d had a problem with the figure 8 sliding when you tighten it before. Could be my lack of practice adjusting them, though. Most of my horses have gone in a simple noseband, so I don’t claim to be an expert.
And as with any equipment, it’s all in how you adjust it. The regular noseband was snug, but not cranked tight. With that portion adjusted, the upper and lower attachments didn’t need to be that tight, as it influenced the the whole jaw, rather than just a piece of it. Seemed kinder to me than some of the other setups I’ve seen.
I’ve tried to attach a photo from this past summer, so you can see how it fit my horse. (Photo credit to Barbara Hall.)
http://s828.photobucket.com/user/eventrider1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg.html?
Are either of these legal for dressage? Or only over fences? The price tag is pretty dear but I have a mare who get rubbed by all the bridles I’ve tried, and I’m always on the lookout for something to try.
[QUOTE=PhoenixFarm;8539352]
Are either of these legal for dressage? Or only over fences? The price tag is pretty dear but I have a mare who get rubbed by all the bridles I’ve tried, and I’m always on the lookout for something to try.[/QUOTE]
As far as I’ve seen, the Micklem is the only non-traditional bridle that has been specifically “approved” for dressage. However, with the gaining popularity of the PS bridles, I imagine they will eventually get an official “ruling” as well.
The strap connecting the cavesson to the figure eight isn’t adjustable, so it seems like you have to choose between correctly placing the figure eight, and correctly placing the cavesson.
As posters above have noted, it seems like the most obvious advantage would be the ability to use a standing martingale with a figure eight, but the included reins also have stoppers for a running, so perhaps I’m missing the point here.
I have both of the PS and a Micklem…my fussy quirky guys who liked the Micklem…LOVE the PS Swedish …it takes pressure off where they hated it…and a few who hate the Micklem love the Swedish…we really can tell,the difference…None fussy horses they don t seem to care one way or the other…
I have the PS is Sweden high jump.
With the currency exchange, it came to 299.00 total.
It’s really nice and its cheaper!
OKie seems to like it.
I love it. The crown fits great for a normal horse. My home bred has a weird sized head. Super huge forehead, short cheek, and delicate muzzle. I’m going to have to have my leather guy make a crown for her because the ear contours are not far enough apart.
But it fits OK like it was made for him.
I have a few friends who have the Nunn Finer style bridle, but from the original designer (I want to say it’ something like silver crown?). Works really well on the fussy horses who get bully-ish but don’t need more bit. Not the kind of bridle you use just for looks, definitely a functional piece of equipment.
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