Opinions on bridle quality

[DarkJewelDesigns]

I need to get a new bridle for my boy and after extensive searching with very specific criteria I have it narrowed down some. However I have no experience with any of these brands.

I’m looking for good quality leather, but not looking to break the bank.

Again, I have very exacting criteria and these are the ones I’ve narrowed it down to. (Black Leather/Figure 8 options for all)

Passier Scorpius
BR Grantham
Equipe No Stress
Sabre Leather
Flexible Fit

Does anyone have any experience with these as far as leather quality or likes/dislikes? Any other brands I should check out? Thanks in advance

[beowulf]

Passier has a few different lines, some economical, some not. IMHO for the price, the Scorpius is not a great deal as the quality is, for Passier, so-so. Their higher quality lines are naturally, much more expensive but there is a big difference between the bridle and stitching quality in the Passier Scorpius vs the Passier Boston. I have a Passier Ingrid Klimke which is middle range and while I love how it looks on my gelding, will not be buying another Passier again when there are other leather options out there of competitive quality and price.

The BR bridles I’ve held are gorgeous in practice but also not the quality I’d expect for a $300+ bridle.

I have no experience with Sabre or FF.

My new favorite in terms of quality + price point is Eponia. I purchased one of their bridles at Equine Affaire last fall for $150 (including web reins). The bridle quality of it is better than my Passier (which was $300 list price, I paid $250). I like the ergonomic features and the clever design that went into designing the crank & keepers. The leather itself is strong, the stitching is even and cuts are clean (which is more than I can say for my Passier). It broke in beautifully and has a lot of give in it without being floppy.

This is the bridle I bought:
http://www.eponiaequestriansport.com/produkt/dressage-bridle-2/

[Posting_Trot]

I really like the looks of the Eponia bridle that Beowolf linked to. My problem with that website is that I can’t find any measurements for their bridles. It’s hard to know what might fit. (I’m just whining here, so feel free to ignore).

[DarkJewelDesigns]

I would jump on the Eponia in a heartbeat - they have everything I was looking for in a bridle EXCEPT the only figure 8 they have is on a bridle with brass hardware. Everything else I own has silver hardware. I just can’t do it. I don’t even wear gold jewelry I have considered contacting them to see if they have plans for another figure 8 with nickel/silver hardware.

[Mondo]

I like the look of that Eponia bridle too except I HATE that kind of flash. Why not just offer a noseband with a flash and one without?

[beowulf]

@Posting Trot what size does your horse take? I have a Full sized one, I could measure it.

@Mondo I know what you mean buuuuut… the flash is removable. What you can actually do is instead of loping it over the top of the noseband and thru the middle of the noseband, you can loop it through the middle and the bottom… much more seamless look.

[Training_Cupid]

I really like the quality of Bobby’s for the price. ex: http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Bobbys_Tack_Padded_Dressage_Bridle_with_Raised_Reins/descpage-BTDB.html

[Farys]

I have a Sabre bridle and I love it. It has held up really well to daily riding and the leather quality is lovely for the price point. I have it in a drop noseband and it is by far the best fitting drop I have ever used.

[emipou]

Out of curiosity, I hope this is okay to ask…
Aside from the obvious with thin or poor quality leather, is there something more to the quality of a bridle? Like for instance a $150 bridle vs a $400+ bridle… Are you just paying for the brand at that point, or is there something to the quality that allows the horse to move better, or perform better?

[DarkJewelDesigns]

Farys, thank you! I appreciate the opinion and the feedback.

Emipou, I can only say what I look for in a quality (to me) bridle. I want even, neat, tight stitching, good quality hardware that will hold up, and leather that will soften and break in and last and clean up nicely. Those feature I don’t think my horse cares about or would go differently in. But the features I’m looking for specifically for him - monocrown, figure 8 - he does go better in. To find the nicer leather I want with those criteria bumps my price range up fo $200-$300.

[keysfins]

@emipou

Out of curiosity, I hope this is okay to ask…
Aside from the obvious with thin or poor quality leather, is there something more to the quality of a bridle? Like for instance a $150 bridle vs a $400+ bridle… Are you just paying for the brand at that point, or is there something to the quality that allows the horse to move better, or perform better?

Of course it is okay to ask!

IMO, a quality bridle has these characteristics, to name a few:
quality leather that was tanned properly; quality workmanship, with tight and even stitching; finished seams and edges of leather/strap work; good hardware that is attached well and will serve the intended purpose (and I prefer stainless steel for its strength); holes and finish work are even; padding and contours are even; the leather has substance and “feel”, not necessarily super soft or squishy. Also important to me is how the leather ages with use-- does it stretch overly much? Does it get goopy or gummy with use/cleaning/proper conditioning? Will it still feel substantial in ten years? Will it survive a soaking rain, or an accidental drop in a water trough and recover?

I am willing to pay for quality because the investment in good quality tack and strap goods will last me years, if not decades. Does that mean the horse I am using it on will move or perform better? Possibly, because there are no irritating lumps, bumps, irregularities or design flaws that might bother the horse. More importantly, I know that well made and well maintained bridles and leatherwork will hold together, and not fail from poor stitching or materials. That means safer for the horse, and safer for the rider.

Take a close look at a cheap…oops, an “affordable” mass produced bridle. Note the stitching: how many stitches per inch? Is the stitching tight and even? Do you see loose threads? Are parts or layers (such as padding) glued together or stitched? What is the hardware like, and is it secured well? Are the holes placed and punched evenly? Run your hand all over the “horse’s side” of the bridle, do you feel any seams, lumps, sharp corners or edges? Is the noseband going to pinch anywhere? Are all the keepers blocked and tightly stitched, or just stapled closed?

Good quality can be had at a good price, IMO. I think the Bobby’s Tack bridles are a good value, and even within the Bobby’s Bridles, there are several different lines of quality. I am also interested in the Eponia bridles, but have not had a chance to get hands on and eyes on any examples.

[keysfins]

@beowulf

@Posting Trot what size does your horse take? I have a Full sized one, I could measure it.

@Mondo I know what you mean buuuuut… the flash is removable. What you can actually do is instead of loping it over the top of the noseband and thru the middle of the noseband, you can loop it through the middle and the bottom… much more seamless look.

I’d love to know measurements of the full size Eponia you have. I had to look on their website to “get” the noseband flash tab design.

In one photo, it looks like the traditional flash tab, so I am guessing that is with the leather “loop” closest to the horse? Then they show the leather “loop” coming over the top/front of the noseband, which looks like what I think of as a removable flash tab, is that right? Then, you can remove it altogether? Or does it hide away in the layers of the noseband?

[Posting_Trot]

Thanks for offering to measure the bridle. My horse takes an oversize (or sometimes called a warmblood size), which makes me think that a full size wouldn’t fit.

[soloudinhere]

I have several flexible fit bridles and have been pleased with all of them.

[DarkJewelDesigns]

@soloudinhere

I have several flexible fit bridles and have been pleased with all of them.

Thank you! I’ve heard a lot of good things about them as well.

[emipou]

@keysfins

Of course it is okay to ask!

IMO, a quality bridle has these characteristics, to name a few:
quality leather that was tanned properly; quality workmanship, with tight and even stitching; finished seams and edges of leather/strap work; good hardware that is attached well and will serve the intended purpose (and I prefer stainless steel for its strength); holes and finish work are even; padding and contours are even; the leather has substance and “feel”, not necessarily super soft or squishy. Also important to me is how the leather ages with use-- does it stretch overly much? Does it get goopy or gummy with use/cleaning/proper conditioning? Will it still feel substantial in ten years? Will it survive a soaking rain, or an accidental drop in a water trough and recover?

I am willing to pay for quality because the investment in good quality tack and strap goods will last me years, if not decades. Does that mean the horse I am using it on will move or perform better? Possibly, because there are no irritating lumps, bumps, irregularities or design flaws that might bother the horse. More importantly, I know that well made and well maintained bridles and leatherwork will hold together, and not fail from poor stitching or materials. That means safer for the horse, and safer for the rider.

Take a close look at a cheap…oops, an “affordable” mass produced bridle. Note the stitching: how many stitches per inch? Is the stitching tight and even? Do you see loose threads? Are parts or layers (such as padding) glued together or stitched? What is the hardware like, and is it secured well? Are the holes placed and punched evenly? Run your hand all over the “horse’s side” of the bridle, do you feel any seams, lumps, sharp corners or edges? Is the noseband going to pinch anywhere? Are all the keepers blocked and tightly stitched, or just stapled closed?

Good quality can be had at a good price, IMO. I think the Bobby’s Tack bridles are a good value, and even within the Bobby’s Bridles, there are several different lines of quality. I am also interested in the Eponia bridles, but have not had a chance to get hands on and eyes on any examples.

I really like your description of a good bridle. I have what I would consider a decent bridle. It’s my first bridle purchase. The brand is no name, but it’s a pretty good quality for a no name (I think – though I will definitely take a better look at it the next time I use it!)

[Blkarab]

Thank you for this thread!! I am also looking for a new bridle and I want to spend a bit more and get something really nice that will really last. My criteria are a bit different. My mare has a very delicate face and the large nosebands on the cavassons really bother her and over power her delicate face.

I had ordered a lovely Nunn Finer at World Cup, BUT I never received it…I’ve had to call the vendor several times, and when I called today, found out the bridle will be backordered for several more weeks. I decided to cancel the order, because the customer service ended up being so poor and they were pretty rude :mad: towards me when I called…that I want to go a different direction. I’m really disappointed, because it was just lovely with patent leather and the perfect size for her face.

So, also looking for quality bridle recommendations.

[beowulf]

So, )

Some things to take in mind, any ambitious bridle collectors – before you go gallivanting off to polish the collection: these measurements are approximate, and on a bridle that has seen about three rides worth of work. I don’t think it’s stretched but I would suggest that people only use these measurements as a guideline if their horse’s measurements are within these limits, not without.

The measurements are as follows, in inches:

DISASSEMBLED (INDEPENDENT MEASUREMENTS)
Crown “end to end” from first/tightest hole: 19
Last “end to end” from last/tightest hole: 27
Hole spacing: 3/4 inch

Cheeks built in on the headstall: 10.5 including buckle. 9.5 without.
Independent cheek(these are the pieces that separate FROM the headstall): 9 not including buckle
Throat-lash independent (separates from the crown piece): 19.5

Noseband only (as in no crank lash): 18
Nose with crank loosest/last hole: 33.5
Nose with crank on Tightest/first hole: 27.5

Brow (curved) end to end: 16
Sans loopends: 13.75
*Keep in mind this browband is SUPER curved and actually fits my gelding that needs an 17-18" straight browband

ASSEMBLED BRIDLE:
Cheeks when assembled onto the bridle, measuring from browband to the bit:
Loosest/last hole: 16 from browband on each side
Tightest/first: 11 from browband on each side

Throatlash longest/loosest hole: 26.5
Shortest: 21
:
Of course, here are some obligatory pictures of this bridle on the beast – naturally, he is an excellent product ambassador as he is very easy on the eyes (speaking from a place of humility here). I apologize for the lack of quality in the pictures, my cell phone camera is pretty terrible.

(I converted my videos into a gif but you guys don’t get that until the dang thing uploads and it’s taking ten years)

[IMG]http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv189/horripig/Eponia%20Bridle/20170502_190346_zps2oc2oyzg.jpg)
[IMG]http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv189/horripig/Eponia%20Bridle/20170502_185818_zpsqbnzfh6d.jpg)

Also, I tried to snap pictures of it from the side, really, I did – but the pony kept wanting to pose for me

I cannot describe how rich this bridle is in person - the brass is a nice, subtle but warm hue – the patent piping is DARK, with a inward maroon type gleam – and I really like how the browband jewels glint but are not sparkly. I’m really happy with this bridle. The quality overall is fantastic, I love the clever ‘keeper’ strap on the crank and the way the crank has an inlet feed for when you loop the strap in/around the crank noseband rings.

I do think this bridle was designed more for WBs than for TBs, maybe - it has lots of depth to it in the browband, throatlatch and the noseband - and the cheeks are not as generous. My guy has a honkin’ moose-head noggin, so it fits his shape well. He normally needs an O/S in the browband, throat and noseband department and a full size for everything else.

[beowulf]

AHA! Incoming GIF spam:

[keysfins]

Lovely bridle and handsome model!

I’m having difficulty visualizing the crank strap that you mention. Sounds like a good design, but I will look at your album to see if I can “get it”.

I love the browband, it is not at all over-sparkly. And I do like how the noseband tapers.

Similar question that I may answer on my own from your album: Is the fitting on each side (where the crank strap goes thru) shielded with leather between the fitting and the horse? Usually roller fittings have a bit of leather extending behind it, but plain non-moving fittings may not.