Anyone have any experience with them? I’m looking for something to school in to replace the 300000 yr old flat hunter bridle I’m using now. I’d really like to keep in under 100- however, Bobby’s has a couple on sale for 160-175. So I guess my question is: Is Bobby’s leather twice as nice?
The company I work for brought in the Shires, and they have been selling really well. We’ve had a few barns purchase 3-5 at a time to use as schooling bridles.
Shires seems to make really reliable tack, and I would love to hear what others think about HDR. Shires half-pads are the best! I’m currently looking at an HDR figure 8 and have heard mixed reviews, so I’m excited to see what others say on this thread!
HDR holds up nicely and looks decent for the price you really can’t go wrong .
I use an HDR bridle for schooling and showing. It’s this in hazelnut. I wanted something that matched my saddle (HDR also) and it was also a decent price range.
I’ve been using it for about 4 months or so. It was a bit hard to break in at first but I do like it now. It fits my guy well (very large headed TB) and the leather does feel nice. I did have to darken the leather quite a bit when I first got it but that’s more cosmetic. The only true negative I have to say about it is that while I do like the leather, it is a bit thick and it can be hard to get the extra noseband or throatlatch to go into the keepers easily, which is extra annoying when it’s cold and I have to take my gloves off to pull each part through the keepers.
I don’t think you can beat HDR for the price. After an oiling, the Comfort Crown (in whatever version) is a very nice schooling bridle, and could travel to local shows without being ashamed of itself.
I bought an HDR bridle in 2012, lovely brow/nose bands, cheek peieces didn’t have the nicest finish but it was fine. Used it for about 6 months and walking my mare out one day, she gave a little spook, met about oh 20lbs of restriction from my hold on the reins and the leather on the piece with the brow and throat latch snapped in two.
Pretty pricey to replace so I replaced the bridle with an Exselle.
For $140 I spent… I would never recommend them.
Interesting to hear good things about HDR. I have a pair of their leathers that are the worst- however, I think they’re the “advantage”. The bridle I’m looking at is the Pro with mono-crown. Anyone used one of these?
I think my smartpak bridle is really good quality. Plus smartpak brand tack is 20% off right now.
I’m not a fan of HDR products at all. I may be biased because of how bad I believe their saddles to be, but I can’t imagine their strap goods being that much better.
I have an HDR that I bought…6 or 7? years ago. It was an older model similar to the one linked by NurseHorsey, I think. The leather isn’t bad, and the stitching is fine, but it never really oiled up well and darkened nicely. It’s been in storage for the last couple years, because it never really looked right on my chestnut, without darkening. For schooling it would be fine, but for the price, I think there are better options.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7430011]
I’m not a fan of HDR products at all. I may be biased because of how bad I believe their saddles to be, but I can’t imagine their strap goods being that much better.[/QUOTE]
I was just going to say…grab the $50 Smartpak bridle that has hundreds of five star reviews, plus the 20% off sale. Worst case scenario? They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you send it back.
I’ve got the padded fancy raised HDR to school in, and it’s held up nicely for the couple years I’ve had it. For the money, I’ve gotten good use out of it.
Not a huge fan of the HDR leather in general. BUT I continue to be very pleased with the Smartpak bridles I see. And with the sale, it’s a very, very easy decision—if I was the one shopping.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7430011]
I’m not a fan of HDR products at all. I may be biased because of how bad I believe their saddles to be, but I can’t imagine their strap goods being that much better.[/QUOTE]
Not to thread-hijack but… hijacks
What issues have you had with HDR saddles? I ask because I own one now but have realized that it 1) does not fit my horse properly and 2) puts me into a chair seat, so I’m in the market for a new one. I had never heard anything awful about HDR but never heard anything glowing either.
[QUOTE=NurseHorsey;7430082]
Not to thread-hijack but… hijacks
What issues have you had with HDR saddles? I ask because I own one now but have realized that it 1) does not fit my horse properly and 2) puts me into a chair seat, so I’m in the market for a new one. I had never heard anything awful about HDR but never heard anything glowing either.[/QUOTE]
The leather quality is less than desirable: very plasticy and slippery. Balance isn’t great.
If it’s what someone can afford and it fits their horse, then fine. there are much nicer saddles available, possibly used that will be miles and miles better.
I really like HDR bridles.
This is my second HDR bridle. It fits him a little awkwardly, but he’s also hard to fit (he has a long but very petite/fine head.) I bought him a horse size. It would fit him better if I changed the bit because Mylers have huge D-rings (he goes in full cheek french link now.) I got it for $90 including rubber reins (I do wish the reins were a bit longer.) My old HDR bridle has withstood years of abuse by me and is still perfectly fine.
I also have an HDR 5-point breastplate that I really like–very adjustable to fit different horses!
HDR tack used to be cheap. And the quality reflected this. Now it’s midrange. And the quality on average does not reflect this. Yes, there are some HDR products where the leather is decent, but across the board I don’t think the quality has improved enough over the past 10-15 years or so to justify the price increase.
[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;7430022]
I was just going to say…grab the $50 Smartpak bridle that has hundreds of five star reviews, plus the 20% off sale. Worst case scenario? They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and you send it back.[/QUOTE]
good bang for the buck
The only figure 8 bridle at my local tack store is an HDR, and it’s the Pro Choice Stress Free. The tack store has it for $72, which seems pretty reasonable for a figure 8 with laced reins. I would like to buy locally rather than ordering online (shipping, fitting, etc). Everyone seems to love or hate HDR. It’s got to be a step up from my $19.99 Kincade that I purchased when I first started riding though 
