Any recommendations for a square raised bridle for a petite-headed hunter? I am not much for the padded style or for the super wide nosebands on ponies and cob-headed horses, but I am looking for a little flair. Thanks!
I always had a hard time finding a truly square raised bridle, the best was Beval’s New Canaan but they stopped making them about 10 or more years ago. I went with the Beval Heritage, the dark nut color with fancy stitching is very pretty and it comes unpadded with a standard noseband. Mine is at least 10 years old though, I hear that Beval’s quality has gone downhill in recent years.
[URL=“https://www.beval.com/product/heritage-fancy-stitch-bridle/”]https://www.beval.com/product/herita...stitch-bridle/
I had a gorgeous Hadfields square raised (no padding) but while the reins are really square the headstall is kind of square/round raised. Since I no longer ride I’m not familiar with the current brands.
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Courbette used to make a really nice one also with what I would consider to be a hard square edge.
Are you looking for fancy stitched or for plain?
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You may be able to find some on the used market still in good shape. I have Crosby, Hadfield’s, and Beval New Canaan in square raised, and love them all. I also have a refined round raised bridle from Pessoa (but it’s one of the older ones made by Harry Dabbs; maybe Dabbs/Jaguar still makes one?). I believe New Cavalry made them years ago, and yes, Courbette made a nice one as well.
Exselle still makes a square raised fancy stitched bridle that is essentially the same product the Crosbys were years ago, and I believe Aramas and Americana have one as well.
I looked at Hadfield’s site and they no longer have the square raised bridle I have, but they do custom work and may be able to make one (but it would be pricy). Others that do custom work are Bennett’s Hunter Fine Bridles, EquuSport, and Legacy by The Country Saddler.
There is this one by Bobby’s: https://bobbystack.com/bridles/signa…naffle-bridle/
Here is the Exselle: https://www.equestriancollections.co…hoChDQQAvD_BwE
Here is one from Moritz as well (I have a Moritz round raised fancy stitched bridle, they are lovely): http://www.moritzsaddlery.com/01202.html
I know I’ve seen someone comment on a bridle thread that there is a US tack shop that carries Moritz bridles, but I’m not sure which one now. If you do a search in the forums, you may be able to find it. I will see if I can and post back! UPDATE: Olson Nolte Saddle Shop in San Carlos, CA.
That was me. I’m not sure OIson Nolte has a square raised form. I know Moritz made one back in the day. Call them to ask, and if they have one that you want to see, I’ll send my mom “on a mission from Gahd” to take pictures.
OP, you don’t want an Edgewood? That seems the obvious place to start.
The other place I’d send you would be Wayne Rasmussen/The Country Saddler in Southern Pines, NC. He makes bridles and tack. His stuff will be beautiful and enduring. But it will cost that kind of money and it might take him a long time to make it.
ETA: Also, Crosby used to make a bridle that would work. You might look around on Ebay. Sometimes people liquidate Museum Tack that had somehow been in the Cryofreeze for years and it old, but brand new.
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I really like my HK Americana bridle and it is a lot more affordable than some of the other bridles listed. The noseband isn’t too thick and compliments my tb’s narrow face very well. With a little bit of oiling it has turned quite soft and nice! https://www.tackroomonline.com/americana-fancy-square-raised-padded-bridle-by-harmon-kraft-940155.html The photo doesn’t do it justice. This site also frequently has 15-20% off one item deals if that is of interest to you.
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This is my favorite hunter bridle! The leather is so soft and I personally love the unpadded noseband.
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Thank you to all for the kind suggestions and links, I really appreciate it. I checked out Edgewood, but I didn’t see any that were definitively square. I love the square style, but I’m open to other styles that flatter a little head. Thanks again!
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It’s been 20+ years since I’ve seen one for sale. I had an old Crosby one… Or maybe a courbette? It was 30 years ago so my memory is iffy at best. But as much as I wanted one, once it was actually ON a horse and in the ring, you really didn’t notice it was any different than most bridles (this was before the day off the super wide nosebands).
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Deleting, since I reposted while this was in approval limbo. See below post.
Hmm, my post with links is unapproved. Maryland Saddlery has some of the Americana square raised ones for under $100. The quality isn’t Edgewood, but for that price, they’re a good value.
I bought one of them this spring that looking at photos I’m now not sure is square or just plain raised, when I needed something quick for a delicate headed TB. It’s served us well for hunter breeding classes, and doesn’t overwhelm her lovely face. But really, as you can see, you can’t tell from photos whether it’s plain raised or square (and I also own an old definitely square horse sized Crosby!), so really, unless you just happen to love the square raise, from any distance away, you’re just as well off going with something that’s just plain raised since that’s much easier to find.
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Equusport has a stock bridle on their website that looks like it might be square raised. It can also be purchased without fancy stitching. Does anyone know anything about them? I would add a link but I still haven’t figured that out​:woman_facepalming:
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