I have a three Aramas’ and think they can’t be beat at the price point. In fact, I think they are much nicer than their price point. (Although, I don’t like the padded ones nearly as much as I like my unpadded.).
I LOVE the reins. So soft and buttery. The monocrown is a little but of a pain, but it’s worth it for the rest.
I just ordered a Wellfleet hunter bridle from Smartpak for $159 (they’re having a 25% off sale on their products). I haven’t received it yet, but I think that’s a great price for that bridle from what I’ve heard. Plus, they have free return shipping, so no big deal if I don’t like it.
Call us biased but these: http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/bridles/synergy-wave-english-bridle/
[QUOTE=OldLadyYoungOTTB;8747670]
I just ordered a Wellfleet hunter bridle from Smartpak for $159 (they’re having a 25% off sale on their products). I haven’t received it yet, but I think that’s a great price for that bridle from what I’ve heard. Plus, they have free return shipping, so no big deal if I don’t like it.[/QUOTE]
Link? I don’t see that price on their website.
[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8748083]
Link? I don’t see that price on their website.[/QUOTE]Promo Code SaveBig16 according to the thingie in the right sidebar.
[QUOTE=Peggy;8748334]
Promo Code SaveBig16 according to the thingie in the right sidebar.[/QUOTE]
Yes, sorry I didn’t give the link! I thought the promo was on their homepage but maybe only I see that. SaveBig16 is the promo.
I got this one: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/wellfleet-monocrown-hunter-bridle-12034 with around $50 off in addition to that sale.
[QUOTE=Arabiandressage;8748031]
Call us biased but these: http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/bridles/synergy-wave-english-bridle/[/QUOTE]
oooooooOOoOO! I actually kind of really like that… are there any pictures of them on a horse? Is it nickle or brass hardware? I can’t tell from my screen, but I am on a shattered iPad so…
I got cold feet ordering the Wellfleet. I had a Harwich at one point, but the sizing was all wrong. I am going to give the Aramas bridles another look tomorrow.
I have a flat hunt bridle by Ovation that is actually quite gorgeous for the price point. Plus, the nice wide strapping looks great on my cobby pony.
[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8749697]
I got cold feet ordering the Wellfleet. I had a Harwich at one point, but the sizing was all wrong. I am going to give the Aramas bridles another look tomorrow.[/QUOTE]
Look ok for an unpadded one if you can find it. They are much nicer, IMO.
Same company makes the Aramas and the Smartpak bridles
If I didn’t already have a perfectly nice Bobby’s show bridle, I would get a Huntley’s.
[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8749697]
I got cold feet ordering the Wellfleet. I had a Harwich at one point, but the sizing was all wrong. I am going to give the Aramas bridles another look tomorrow.[/QUOTE]
I’ve heard that about the Harwich as well. Smartpak does have free shipping both ways, I’m pretty sure. Their customer service is great.
I also almost ordered this Bobby’s bridle: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262507498013?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I’ve never heard anything bad about a Bobby’s bridle. There’s one at our barn, and I don’t know how old it is, but it’s really nice. Everyone says what great quality it is for the price.
I have only adored two bridles in my life time, my Edgewoods and a Jaguar i picked up used. Just bought a new Edgewood and I love it but man they do stretch… mine do not bleed… saw a comment on that. perhaps the type of oil you use? Also bought a new Vespucci as a schooling bridle, hate it… thankfully it wasn’t too expensive and it does look good on our horse, just hate the leather and the noseband closure.
I had a lot of trouble with my Edgewood stretching. I don’t know if this was just my luck or a common thing. I had to run out and buy a Red Barn fancy stitched bridle in a crunch, and while it’s nice, it never really breaks in if that makes sense. It feels like it always has a plasticky coating.
I ordered a CWD fancy stitched anatomical monocrown one when I ordered my saddle. It is quite pricy, I think $500, without reins, but I absolutely love it. I really love their braided reins, they are a great weight. Substantial, but not bulky.
[QUOTE=OldLadyYoungOTTB;8747670]
I just ordered a Wellfleet hunter bridle from Smartpak for $159 (they’re having a 25% off sale on their products). I haven’t received it yet, but I think that’s a great price for that bridle from what I’ve heard. Plus, they have free return shipping, so no big deal if I don’t like it.[/QUOTE]
I’ve had their Wide Noseband model for a bit over a year now, and have been very pleased with it. It’s broken in well, darkened up nicely with minimal oiling, and looks totally A show appropriate at a pretty reasonable price point. I think the noseband is a little big around compared to the rest of the bridle sizing, but then again, I’ve got a TB so things tend not to be made to fit her. The one single complaint I have about it (and it’s a really nit-picky one) is that the second, sliding keeper on the noseband is really tight and can only fit the tip of the noseband into it.
It is not the super super high quality of the older New Canaan/Jimmy’s type bridlework, but for most of us folks on a budget, it’s a nice option at the price point. We had some with the old New Canaans at college, and those are the nicest I’ve ever used.
[QUOTE=RugBug;8741740]
I have a three Aramas’ and think they can’t be beat at the price point. In fact, I think they are much nicer than their price point. (Although, I don’t like the padded ones nearly as much as I like my unpadded.).
I LOVE the reins. So soft and buttery. The monocrown is a little but of a pain, but it’s worth it for the rest.[/QUOTE]
I second Aramas. For the price point they are awesome. I have several, both padded and unpadded - like both. They oil up nicely and become buttery soft very quickly. I’ve had good luck buying them brand new on eBay. If you are patient there are good deals out there. And they fit well - no giant throat latch or weird sizing.
I really love the feel of the Edgewood bridles. If I had to buy a bridle right now, that is what I’d go for. Or another Aramas, which is lovely though I think they run a bit big. It’s what I have right now, and my horse has a pretty “typical” non-WB head (even though he’s a Holsteiner, he has less of a big WB head… if that makes sense!). The noseband is pretty large and stretched, I would have ordered a cob I think if I bought it new, though it’s always so hard to tell. I bought it used and the quality is still fabulous, soft leather, and looks stunning.
For schooling I’m a big fan of the SmartPak bridles. Not the NICEST quality (like an Edgewood) but very functional and break in quite well. I have the Harwich Mono Crown Fancy Stitch Hunter Bridle and also bought the Figure Eight noseband which I use more than the regular caveson. I’m on my second one of these (first one I tripped on it when I was walking and face planted which also resulted in me snapping the through latch 
)
A few photos, though the Aramas is not the greatest photo and I hadn’t put the noseband through the keepers yet! I wish I had a photo of the figure eight that’s from SP too, unfortunately though, I do not atm.
SP Harwich Bridle (fairly new, as in, a few weeks. Still looks great and almost the same)
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah294/theshortbrownhorse/SP%20bridle_zpstznzf05r.jpg
The Aramas Bridle
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah294/theshortbrownhorse/Aramas_zpsav0imflb.jpg
[QUOTE=Bunker;8750120]
I second Aramas. For the price point they are awesome. I have several, both padded and unpadded - like both. They oil up nicely and become buttery soft very quickly. I’ve had good luck buying them brand new on eBay. If you are patient there are good deals out there. And they fit well - no giant throat latch or weird sizing.[/QUOTE]
I’ve bought most of my Aramas from ebay as well, although when I needed to replace reins, I called a number of different places directly that sell on ebay. the hrsn4fun is The Hitching Post in VA. They had reins that last time mine got broke…and this current time (Sunday). I am already sitting here looking at my new reins just a week later. 
I should have stocked up when Equus now was selling reins for $40. :eek: I just didn’t know I would break so many in such a short period. Guess it’s payback for all those close calls.
My WB mare in her horse size Aramas (no padding). The throatlatches do seem to run large…and the nosebads are a bit on the large side.
My gelding in his cob Aramas. He used to wear what is now the mare’s until I bought her. He has a long, but narrow face and did fine in the other, but this is better.
I LOVE these bridles. :yes:
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
