I need to buy a bridle that actually fits my tiny-headed warmblood. The Tota bridles look the most like the one that was sent with him from Europe, but it’s just a tad big. He needs a cob and I suspect what was sent was a full.
How are the Totas for quality, durability and fit? Thanks in advance!
Have quite a few of these bridles in my barn. Lots of horses really enjoy them.
I think fit is pretty standard. My only issue so far is the strap for the crank I find short. But I tend to keep my nosebands quite loose especially on my doubles.
There are different styles of the crown pieces and we have some that prefer one over the other, but I think that nosebands are all the same.
That’s helpful, Guyot. I just ordered one of the lower-cost ones and will see how it goes on my boy. Sounds like you can purchase separate pieces (say, another crown piece) if the fit or padding isn’t quite right?
I believe so. Overall they are good to work with.
I have one for my PRE. He needed a mixture of sizes to get the fit right. They worked with me in that regard over the phone. My trainer rides in them as well. So far, holding up well, leather is lovely; as is typical, the keepers were really tight, but have loosened up a bit. I have the anatomic one with the bit hanger that is a complete separate strap - so I could punch more holes if necessary (it was). They also make an anatomic monocrown.
Interesting, because I find my crank strap to be long!
Never had one myself but can tell you Charles Tota was one of the rudest people/vendors I’ve ever spoken to at a show. Don’t think I’ll ever buy something from them; there are alternatives.
What are the alternatives? I’ve never met Mr. Tota – doubt I ever will – but if this bridle doesn’t work out, I’ll need something similar…
What is the one he came with?
I think the Jeffries Gentle bridle is the closest I’ve seen, but Schockemole and PS of Sweden both have a bunch that generally target the same areas of the face. EquiLuxe, Kavalkade, and HKM have some entry level ones. There’s whatever Fairfax is doing and Catherine DuFour has her own thing that I think is more about poll relief. I’ve seen bridles from Flexible Fit, and Busse that are like an updated Micklem. Pretty much every major manufacturer has their own version of the anatomical bridle at this point, they’re no longer a really novel idea.
So far the Tota bridles look most like the bridle he came with – which has no name stamped on it anywhere. It’s a mystery!
I should post a photo (maybe later) but will say only that it has big brass rings that attach the noseband cheekpieces to the jaw strap – if that makes any sense. There is no throatlatch.
By the way, the Tota arrived today (fast!) and by measuring, it looks like it will fit Mr. Deuce’s tiny little head. It’s more “feminine” looking, too. The brass rings and buckles of the original bridle kind of overwhelm his pretty head. Hoping this is the solution to my bridle problems!
Would love to see a picture of your bridle set up.
So, put the new Tota bridle on Mr. Deuce today, fiddled around with the buckles and so forth. Except for the noseband still being a tad loose (fixed it temporarily with a felt pad on the jaw), it works great – even seems to have solved a little “tongue” issue he had.
Will try to get pix of the new Tota, the old bridle is retired, but I can send photos of it “as is”. At least you could see the big brass rings…
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