Nice Bridle for Fine/Petite Head

[Training_Cupid]

@firenze23 granted I am not a good judge of fine leather, but it seems nice for the pricepoint to me. I would say more workmanlike than plastic-y, but now that I look back at the ad on RW I see what you mean. Mine doesn’t have that sheen, I think maybe they wiped it down with something that made it look like that? But if you look at the cheek pieces it shows a bit of a rippling-type effect and mine has that to some degree as well.
But for me it’s almost worth it for the buckles (instead of hook and stud) on the reins and cheek pieces alone!

[Samantha37]

I have a monocrown Vespucci that looks LOVELY on my fine boned horse’s face. They are inexpensive, too.

https://worldequestrianbrands.com/product-category/Vespucci/

[MissAriel]

@firenze23

Training Cupid, I’m looking at this exact Bobby’s bridle. Do you like the quality of the leather? It looks like it might have the plasticky layer on it, but Riding Warehouse also helpfully allows you to zoom WAY in ha! I’ve scoured the Bobby’s site trying to figure out which of the three “tiers” this RW “narrow” bridle is likely in (because of course they don’t use the same horsey model!) It looks lovely on your horse.

I have the Bobby’s Raised bridle from RW. I personally really like it. Is it AH-MAZ-ING? No. But it is quite good for the price. It gets regular use, broke in quickly and still looks nearly new after three years. There are tiny “flaws” up close, but the leather is soft and pliable, yet feels solid. If I had to change anything, I would lose the raised reins. I don’t notice them riding, but the raised part of the reins are weird when I am cleaning and hanging the bridle. I still say it is a great value, although I got mine on a sale and paid just over $100 for it.

[XXS]

https://eu.psofsweden.com/en/bridle_retailers/bridle-from-ps-of-sweden-olympic

[Mulligan314]

@Suspiria

If you don’t like Schockemoehle leather you won’t like Bobby’s English Tack. Bobby’s has really nose-dove in quality in the last few years and every time I read about someone saying they are just SO NICE, I kind of headdesk myself. They used to be lovely–now they are just average.

I was going to suggest the Joseph Sterling bridle above. Also the Passier Fortuna, Jupiter, Juno. The last two aren’t cranks but they are still very refined. Passier leather is lovely and also fairly durable. Stubben is another good choice that tends to be narrower across the nose also. I think Vespucci also still carries some of the classic style, less embellished dressage bridles.

Or, you could always run a $35 science experiment with this rolled leather Toulouse: https://classicsaddlery.com/index.php/mainbridles/dressage-bridles/product/1491-classic-round-sewn-snaffle-bridle

This is good to know. I have an older Bobby’s bridle I used on my previous gelding that I love. It’s beautiful and well made, especially for the refined/smaller head, but I got it probably 15 years ago.

Thanks for the update on their quality. whomp whomp.