Update: bridle search - anatomical ideas for dainty TB

[fivestrideline]

Alright, feed my shopping habit…

One of my TBs has a slightly odd head - full size crown and brow, cob nose, cheeks, and cob or even pony throatlatch. He has small ears and a cute little face, but “too much” bridle makes him look like a kid wearing dad’s work boots. As a bit of a minimalist when it comes to tack, I really hate to drown him in gear .

However, I’m looking to add stability to his bridle setup - he really seems to appreciate less movement. I’m playing around with bits but riding either in a regular cavesson or no noseband at all at the moment. He doesn’t hate the bridles or rub his face, but having had a few horses with mouthiness like him go really well in a loose flash or Micklem I’d like to have something like that in rotation. Micklem doesn’t seem likely to fit his head all that well and the leather is meh for the price.

So anyway, I’m looking for the following:

• BROWN
• anatomical bridle: padded crown, ear cutouts, air channel over the poll a bonus (idgaf about competition regs right now)
• anatomical flash or Micklem style noseband. I’ve also seen the S curve hybrid figure 8 styles and those look interesting but I’m worried about overwhelming his widdle face unnecessarily
• adjustability or build-a-bridle capacity: short browbands are my nemesis and… see above wonky head
• good quality and good leather: I can’t stand coated, cracky leather that refuses to break in. My Black Diamond bridle has me spoiled, but I’m on a budget so I know I’ll have to compromise somewhere
• looking to stay under $300, preferably with reins but I’m willing to sacrifice reins for a good bridle

I know. Champagne tastes on a beer budget. I’m just trying to avoid shipping things 3 million times, as the closest tack store with any selection is a minimally stocked Dover 1.5 hours away. I’ll list a few options in browsing in the comments but I’m open to suggestions…

[fivestrideline]

How is the quality of the Shire’s Velociti line? These bridles run ~$200 without reins, but I like the features. I’m looking at the two below:
Velociti Lusso flash:

Velociti Lusso S curve (probably way too much bridle):

These appear to be knockoffs of the PSOS bridles, which run about double the price ($400-$500). I like the features of the PSOS, especially the lack of throatlatch, but I have heard they run small. Maybe that would actually work in my favor?

I really like this Nirak by PSOS:

But for the price ($400, no reins) it better fit without buying more pieces to adjust.

This horse will likely never see a rated show ring, and mostly we just school for proper muscling and ride trails. I probably should just stick to the bridles I have, but I like options, sue me.

[Equibrit]

Huge selection here;

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/catpage-EBRIDLES.html

Interesting ? https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/PS_of_Sweden_Helsinki_Anatomic_Padded_Leather_Bridle/descpage-PSHAB.html?color=BR

[Ziggy793]

I have a couple versions of the schockemohle equitus series and I do like the look/function. I currently use the equitus omega as my jump bridle for my smaller TB (I just cut the flash off) and I think its very sharp. In terms of fit, i wish there was a little more room in the crown but the browband is nice and generous.

The leather quality isn’t amazing but it does soften up with use/care. I buy almost all of my stuff at hypostore- they very frequently have 25% off sitewide sales and you can ask for a VAT-free account if you’re shipping to the US. Those discounts together get you close to 40% off list price, so for the schockmohles it comes out to like 190 euros plus shipping (30 euros). I’m happy enough with the quality for that price.

https://hypostore.com/schockemohle-bridle-equitus-omega.html

Dover does carry at least some of the equitus line so you could always go look in person and order from europe if you like the look enough.

[fivestrideline]

Well I went and bought the PSOS Helsinki on sale… which is pretty much the opposite of this post

I’m still tossing around a noseband change, but I’m hoping PSOS leather is consistent across models. The Helsinki was cheap enough on sale that I won’t freak out if it’s middling quality (as long as it fits), but if it’s nice enough to warrant the original sticker price that’s good data on their other models.

I’m told PSOS runs small so I ordered a Full. TBD.

[fivestrideline]

Well I got the PSOS. Can say that the leather is not “$400 and up without reins” quality, by any means. It’s not bad! Still smells like new leather instead of chemicals like the cheap bridles can. But it’s got that coated leather/borderline-plasticy-but-not-quite feeling to it. Oil will probably help with that, but I’m not sure I’m keeping it yet.

I do like the features a lot, so I’m going to try it on my horse whenever we get out from under this flood warning storm system. The elastic bit hangers are interesting, if somewhat worrisome on longevity, and I really like the crownpiece. TBD on fit - this horse is between sizes so I never know. The PSOS certainly doesn’t run big.

I’m still on the hunt for another bridle with either an anatomical flash or figure eight, though. Apparently I’m going to be a leather snob about it - if it’s going to be middling quality it’d better be middling price!

[cristalle]

I have a Thoroughbred with a quite small head but broad forehead, big cheeks.
I bought a Collegiate Comfitec which works on him and which I really like. I think the leather is good (advertised as European leather), and it is a moderate price.

[fivestrideline]

This is helpful, I’ve been looking at this line!

[Christa_P]

Not an anatomical bridle, but my TB is between sizes, so I bought a horse size and had the cheek pieces shortened so it fits.

[The_Pleasant_Pheasant]

Have you looked at any of the Artemis Equine bridles? Right now it looks like most of them on their website are sold out, but there’s currently both a cob size and a full size Artemis Precision Jump bridle on eBay for $180 each. I think that style ticks most of your boxes and the price seems good. I have a dressage Artemis bridle and have found the leather quality to be lovely. Sizing seems to run pretty true to size, with the noseband maybe running a tiny bit on the small side (mines in a cob size with everything pretty much on the middle holes, except the noseband which is on the second to longest hole, but I do ride with it pretty loose).

[quarab]

Fully agree with this. My Artemis bridles are lovely. If you get one of their demos there are really good deals to be had

[fivestrideline]

Hmm. I’ll keep an eye on these! I have way too many bridles to buy without a return policy, but I’m happy to wait for restocks.

The amount of leather strap goods I have that don’t match and don’t fit is ridiculous. But every time I get rid of something I suddenly need it

[BostonHJ]

I can’t comment on the current quality, but I had a Nunn Finer about a decade ago for a similar sounding horse face and was very happy with the leather (and their rubber reins are to die for) - https://nunnfiner.com/emilia-bridle/

[Inimitable]

I like the Millbrook Leather freedom bridle. Attractive, minimalist, can’t beat the price, and the leather quality is pretty darn nice for the price point.

[Lusoluv]

I’ve bought a couple Bobby’s Bridles and Delfina brand bridles over the years. Seems like the browbands on most bridles are too short no matter what the size: Cob, Full, WB. These 2 brands are nicer quality for <$200, and I’ve been able to cobble parts together for my horses. Current guy is WB with a finer head so headstall is Full, bling browband is 16", cheeks are cob, noseband is Full. I’ve NEVER owned a horse that could wear a bridle intact as purchased! So frustrating.