Hi everybody!
If you were going to go for broke and buy one of these hunter bridles for a large WB, which would it be? I realize these might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Thanks!
Out of those, I would probably go with the Edgewood. I believe the LTD line is Hadfield’s more economical line, so I’m not sure what the quality would be like compared to their other bridles. Personally, I find Dy’on to be overpriced and although it isn’t bad quality at all, it doesn’t really “wow” me, either.
If you don’t like a color corrected finish, I would definitely go with Edgewood and steer clear of both Hadfield’s and Dy’on. Hadfield’s regular bridles are still amazing despite that (though mine is older, so I’m not sure what the current ones are like and think the LTD will most likely not be as nice), but they’re the only bridle with that kind of finish I’ve still really liked.
I have absolutely loved every Edgewood product I’ve owned. I think as long as you don’t over oil it (which I’ve seen a lot of people do), it stays nice and lasts a long time, and the leather has an amazing feel to it.
Edgewood. Full stop. Funny, I was just cleaning my bridles last night and having a conversation with my husband about leather quality.
I have Edgewood, Hadfield’s, and KL Select Italia. The oakbark color of the Edgewood creates such beautiful variations and depth, whereas the Hadfield is one-note. I often get my Hadfield’s and KL Select mixed up, as they both have that plastic film-like feel to them. Funny that I appreciate it on the KL Select but find it cheap on the Hadfield’s. The other point on the Hadfield’s is that it always seems dry no matter how much I condition it. Perhaps the (terribly shot) attached photos will help you decide. The difference in color on my Edgewood is due to a new browband. The bridle is about two years old. The photo of the darker bridle is the Hadfield’s, which is newer.
After seeing a Dy’on in the store, I was not impressed with the leather quality or stitching.
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I’m pleased with my Edgewood but don’t have recent experience with the others.
If part of your question is the shape, since you say it’s for a big fellow- I find that raised, padded styles like Edgewood are less flattering to a Roman nose than the flatter profile of the Dyon and Hadfields. A straight-profiled horse may be suited by any of the three.
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I really like the Hadfield bridles.
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Admittedly, I’m an Edgewood snob. But definitely go with that one. They do stretch a bit, so if inbetween sizes, better to buy small. But once used and conditioned, the leather gets butter soft. I have several that are still going strong after 20 years. And if well cared for, they have good resale value on ebay as used.
Edgewood is always acceptable at any level horse show, and there are many options for padding, noseband width, and crown style, so you can really get what best suits your horse’s head.
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Another vote for Edgewood. I have a figure 8 as well as a wide padded for the hunters. I also just bought a dyon drop noseband bridle/reins.
I’ve groomed plenty on the A circuit and have dealt with and cleaned enough of these 3 brands. I don’t love the quality of Dy’on leather when compared to the longevity & quality of Edgewood. I bought a dyon because I got a STEAL and “needed” another bridle. Hadfields is nice but I personally think for the price, Edgewood is a better bang for your buck.
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Thanks to everyone for their kind advice! It really helps to get these details on longevity, cleaning, and dryness or pasticky feel to the leather. At this price, good to have as much info as possible.
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Can I diverge slightly and ask how you clean your bridles?! PM me if you have time & if it’s too off-topic for this thread. I need ALL the details because they look brand new! 
Ive been a groom too much to take my tack home and give it a good scrub…oops.
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Hahah. Thanks! When I was a kid an old groom told me that people clean their tack too often and that always stuck with me. After riding, I shake my bridle off. Honestly, that’s it most days. I use Belvoir Step 1 & 2 (black spray bottle) no more than once a month, and then only during the summer do I use Belvoir conditioner if the leather looks parched. It’s the only product line I’ve found to not leave a tacky film the way most saddle soaps do. I also use a very light hand around keepers and ends. I hate when they don’t keep their shape.
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I would pick the Edgewood, like most others here.
I do a daily post-ride wipe down with diluted ammonia water and the tiniest whiff of saddle soap and then take apart and properly clean/deep condition every couple months. I have 20 year old bridles that look new. This technique has never failed me.
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Oh yippy I already own that stuff! Love Belvior. I will try to clean my bridles less, just the bit after each ride. Thanks!
I had a tack shop owner I respect a lot and have bought a bunch of tack from tell me that I was cleaning my tack too often, which blew my mind considering nearly everyone I rode with insisted on cleaning tack after every ride to make it last. Sure enough, he was right and I was actually drying my leather out, and ever since I’ve only been doing it as needed (especially with the saddle that really hardly ever gets anything on it), I’ve liked the results much better!
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IMO you can never go wrong with Edgewood although I loved my Hadfields just as much. I’m not familiar with the LTD line though so can’t comment on that. I do know that my Hadfiekds was about $600+ including the reins when I bought it about it 12-15 years ago and my Edgewood, bought about the same time was I think about $400 with reins so there is a savings going with Edgewood. I have no experience with D’yon.
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OP do you realize that those prices for Hadfields and Edgewood are without reins? At least that is how they used to be sold, reins were always extra. And there is quite a difference in color between Edgewood and Hadfields. Personally I love both colors but you should be aware of the differences.
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I used to ride a couple of horses who both had unpadded Edgewoods and they were much sleeker, just like my unpadded Hadfields. But the padded Hadfields is quite bulky, I would only use it on a large horse or one with a big head. My Edgewood was padded but not nearly as bulky as the Hadfields.
Edgewood
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