Don’t want to hijack another thread. I know this has been covered before but options change over time. Looking for a NICE quality bridle - prefer without reins as I am very picky about reins. Really want top leather. Looking for snaffle for a horse with a lovely head, would like crank noseband with removable flash (not to crank tight, but I love the thicker padding often found on a crank). I want either a monocrown or a crown where the strap for noseband slides over the crown to decrease poll pressure. I was very disappointed in the leather quality in my last Passier, so suggestions for what is available now rather than what used to be nice?
I was really happy with the Passier Ingrid Klimke, what were you disappointed about in regards to leather?
FTR, I did not pay full price for the bridle – full price it ran about $350, I believe I paid around ~$160. If I had paid $350, I am not sure I would say it was worth it. Mine broke in wonderfully but it’s only a year old, and I have some issues with it. I ordered it through Dover from PASSIER and the first time, Passier sent me the wrong noseband despite both myself and Dover being implicitly clear on the noseband I needed, with multiple follow ups… The second time, Passier sent it with silver hardware when I had stated a million times brass hardware… I finally get the correct noseband and it has irregular stitching on one side and a scuff in the noseband… I couldn’t deal – at this point, we were on week 11 of the “it will take 6-8 weeks to get to you” scheme and I needed the bridle. I did not send the noseband back. It was Passier’s fault, not Dover, as Dover was simply facilitating the sale. The Passier rep was just… not good. Tangent aside, the leather broke in wonderfully but the chin-strap on the crank is already kind of rotted despite very good care and very infrequent oiling. The rest of the bridle is just beautiful.
I love Kieffer. The Andromeda especially - though I hate the browband, the leather is nice.
Stubben has pulled through for me time and time again, though I’ve only bought used… The leather is always thick but pliable, and extremely durable and strong.
Otto Schumacher I just cannot, for the life of me, justify the expense when they literally are exactly the same as Stubben and Kieffer. I held their $1100 Dubai in my hands last year and it felt ‘meh’ for the price tag… if I am honest, I preferred the feel of Stubben.
I have a Döbert snaffle that I really like in terms of leather quality. I can’t remember what it cost, but it wasn’t outrageous, and the leather was much nicer than anything else I had seen up til then.
I also have an Antares double that is scrumptious, absolutely amazing leather quality and overall fit & finish is terrific.
I just splurged on a Hennig bridle - I bought it not only for the gorgeous leather but also because I wanted the new noseband design (to reduce poll pressure and eliminate the pressure on the TMJ area.)
I’ve purchased 2 bridles through Wolds Exclusive Bling in the UK. She does fantastic work and has some innovative designs:
beowulf - The leather felt rough and it stretched a lot! I don’t oil bridles, and I take very good care of my tack. I don’t remember which model I purchased, but it wasn’t a low end bridle.
[QUOTE=Lucassb;8638521]
I have a Döbert snaffle that I really like in terms of leather quality. I can’t remember what it cost, but it wasn’t outrageous, and the leather was much nicer than anything else I had seen up til then.
I also have an Antares double that is scrumptious, absolutely amazing leather quality and overall fit & finish is terrific.
I just splurged on a Hennig bridle - I bought it not only for the gorgeous leather but also because I wanted the new noseband design (to reduce poll pressure and eliminate the pressure on the TMJ area.)[/QUOTE]
May I ask which Doebert you got, and from where? I believe the two lines are the Classic and the Stallmeister. I was looking for the noseband that is wider in the middle but tapers at the sides. Would love to buy just the noseband but might consider a complete snaffle or even double.
And do you have a link for the Hennig? It also sounds interesting. 
[QUOTE=keysfins;8638568]
May I ask which Doebert you got, and from where? I believe the two lines are the Classic and the Stallmeister. I was looking for the noseband that is wider in the middle but tapers at the sides. Would love to buy just the noseband but might consider a complete snaffle or even double.
And do you have a link for the Hennig? It also sounds interesting. :)[/QUOTE]
Ah, I wish I could remember the model name but it is the one that has the tapered noseband. I bought it at a horse show (one of the mobile tack shops) about a year ago or so.
Here is a link to the Hennig. It looks pretty ugly in the picture but was pretty unobtrusive when actually on a horse. I haven’t used it enough to really test it out though - I just got it the other day. https://thedressageconnection.com/product/the-andros-snaffle-bridle-featuring-the-tota-comfort-system/
I have two second-hand Stubbens, one that came to me well-used, and one nearly new (saving it for special occaisions!). I’ve really liked the quality, and they are not outrageously expensive even new, compared to some of the bridles out there. If you look at their European website, there are a lot more styles and colours than on the US distributor’s website.
I love my Otto Schumachers!! They have so many cool options for brow bands, nosebands and you can get with or without reins. Barbara at www.horseandriderboutique.com has a nice selection. They are around $800-$1000 with reins and about $650 without…so definitely pricey
My Antares double is lovely thus far and has a removeable flash. TBH I’m not sure why this is even an option on a double. As far as I can tell the bradoon hanger is not removeable so why would anyone want a flash on a double…but I digress. Leather is great and has lovely decorative stitching on noseband and browband.
The “cheaper” but still expensive passier (Gemini) I had was well…not at all worth it. Terrible leather quality. Only the expensive passiers have had good leather to me (but I didn’t own it, just borrowed the bridle). Soooo I would only get certain bridle lines and only if on sale at this point.
My rolled Schumacher is scrumptious and I adore it. Got it on sale and it is lovely and wearing very well. I have had no other experience with the Schumacher line but would definitely buy the Munchen again.
[QUOTE=Lucassb;8638521]
I have a Döbert snaffle that I really like in terms of leather quality. I can’t remember what it cost, but it wasn’t outrageous, and the leather was much nicer than anything else I had seen up til then.
I also have an Antares double that is scrumptious, absolutely amazing leather quality and overall fit & finish is terrific.
I just splurged on a Hennig bridle - I bought it not only for the gorgeous leather but also because I wanted the new noseband design (to reduce poll pressure and eliminate the pressure on the TMJ area.)[/QUOTE]
Does you Antares have a removable bradoon hanger or is it built into the crown? Mine looks built in but it came with removable flash so it doesn’t make much sense to me… Yes the leather is amazing!! Love it!
Love my Schumacher double; absolutely wonderful feel. Love my Döbert snaffle as well. Both were acquired with the purchase of my horse, so I didn’t have to buy them, per se. Not in that price range now, so using other bridles that I am also quite happy with.
[QUOTE=Moogles;8639499]
Does you Antares have a removable bradoon hanger or is it built into the crown? Mine looks built in but it came with removable flash so it doesn’t make much sense to me… Yes the leather is amazing!! Love it![/QUOTE]
I can remove the bradoon hanger on my Antares double… I figured that’s why it had the removable flash (although to be honest I don’t really love that tab type thing that keeps the flash on…so I don’t use it at all.) But the leather is amazing, for sure.
[QUOTE=Flashymover;8639042]
I love my Otto Schumachers!! They have so many cool options for brow bands, nosebands and you can get with or without reins. Barbara at www.horseandriderboutique.com has a nice selection. They are around $800-$1000 with reins and about $650 without…so definitely pricey :)[/QUOTE]
Calevo.com. With the 15% discount and the VAT refund, nowhere near that price, even with two day shipping.
[QUOTE=Lucassb;8639709]
I can remove the bradoon hanger on my Antares double… I figured that’s why it had the removable flash (although to be honest I don’t really love that tab type thing that keeps the flash on…so I don’t use it at all.) But the leather is amazing, for sure.[/QUOTE]
Ok dumb question…How did you do it??? Mine seems very firmly stuck:lol: I have the one with decortive stitching on the browband and noseband like this https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/antares-double-bridle-4721
Man I feel kinda silly but the bradoon hanger just didn’t wanna budge. It’s tunnelled under the padded crown.
I love the Antares bridles. My good friend was sponsored by them and I fell in love with the quality of her bridles. I bought a snaffle bridle from them and I love it. Has worn so well but I always worry about stretch because it is so soft of leather. So far so good though.
Another vote for Antares! Their new Anatomic bridles are lovely! Saw and ordered some stock from them today at Rolex!!
[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8639869]
Calevo.com. With the 15% discount and the VAT refund, nowhere near that price, even with two day shipping.[/QUOTE]
Mine have the really fancy options like croco noseband and reins which it doesn’t seem like Calevo offers…so have never been able to source from there. Maybe one day they will offer the fancy bells and whistles.
I just got the deal of the century at a recent tack sale - got a gorgeous Otto Schumacher, black with gold piping, no reins, for $25!!! It is lovely. I also have a Devoucoux I got at the same tack sale the previous year for $50, but the OS is the nicest by far. I could never pay $1000 for a bridle, but the OS is very lovely if you can get a deal:)
My friend bought a Hennig Double bridle. The quality, design, and leather are exceptional. I would love one myself but it is definitely out of my budget.
