Recessed Crown Piece

[AskMyAccountant.17]

I have a petite thin-skinned mare who since coming off the track five years ago has kept the two bald spots on her crown that she came with. The bald spots are probably about a quarter size behind each ear, and the remaining hair grew back white. I’ve used fleece padding and bonnets to keep them from rubbing further,but in the summers I do have to be ultra conscious of rubs. This weekend my saddle fitter encouraged me to find a bridle with a recessed crown piece rather than padding which would only cause additional pressure. His of course was close to $500. Eek.

She currently competes in a padded monocrown bridle, but I’d definitely be interested in finding other options that alleviated any pressure off her poll all-together if possible. Suggestions?

[Moon_River]

BR (Netherlands brand) do a C shape and an E shape crown - the C is a large continual curve and the E is cut back behind each ear. One of those or similar if you can find it in a US brand might help

[Libby2563]

I don’t know if this is cut back enough for you, but I’m really liking the PassierBlu Spirit bridle that I got for Christmas: https://www.passier.com/en/passierblu/passierblu-spirit-snaffle-bridle/. It’s generously sized in the browband/crownpiece area, so the browband doesn’t pull the crownpiece forward onto the ears as on so many bridles. That might help your mare’s ears. Overall it feels lightweight and nicely balanced. It’s reasonably priced too (around $220). My 16-16.1 hh TB wears a full size and it fits him pretty perfectly.

[kashmere]

I had my local leather worker revamp my crown piece with cut outs behind each ear. It cost me about $30, looks just fine, and horse it was done for was way happier.

[SolarFlare]

You can also try your current bridle with a longer browband before you buy anything else. It’s possible the current browband is a little short, and is pulling the crownpiece into her ears. Maybe someone at your barn will have a size up that you can test out first.