Alternatives to leather bridles?

[GoldenWillow]

My arthritis is making cleaning tack increasingly harder and as much as I love my leather bridles in an effort to make life easier I was thinking of synthetic/webbing type bridles. Cob is in a Micklem bitted and a sidepull bitless, I know I'm unlikely to find anything like the Micklem but does anyone have any recommendations? The only ones I know of are Zilco. I'm open to looking at any material or style for either bitted or bitless as long as it can go in a bucket to be washed! Another problem is that he has a typical wide cob head and his current bridles are a mix of cob, full and xfull pieces although it's the browband that is xfull so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Thank you

Eta, although I don't really like clips on bridles, much prefer buckles, it's looking like clips would be a help as well.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Maybe look into biothane?

I see more biothane and other synthetics, including webbing types, in the endurance and driving worlds, and sometimes western. So maybe look in those directions.

 

[Maddie Moo]

Libbys do synthetic bridles that can be washed, they’re material rather than biothene (sp?).

They have various bitless options a well as traditional bridles.

 

[planete]

Have a look at the Plas Equestrian website. I think they might make you a made to measure biothane bridle if none of their stuff is quite right.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Transcend do a biothane version of their bitless bridles.

I’ve got their leather bridles - very well made and they will mix and match sizes on request.

Transcend Double Bridle BIOTHANE | TRANSCEND

tan strapping currently not available 4 new strapping colours: silver, sky, burgundy, navy Made to order, lead time 4 weeks Double bridle (reins included) Purpose designed for 2 distinct cues. Main rein to sidecue, thin curb rein to soft padded curb strap. Versatile as can be used with double or...

www.transcendbitlessbridle.com

 

[Steerpike]

Have a look at Pioneer Endurance, there are many different bitless bridle in a range of colours and in different types of biothane.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Pioneer Endursnce are brilliant. I have some Plas stuff which is cheaper but the quality less good, I'd say.

Biothane is absolutely the way to go for me! I have the shiny version whilst the matte version is more leather look, if that matters to you.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Have a look at Pioneer Endurance, there are many different bitless bridle in a range of colours and in different types of biothane.

Agreed, I have a bright orange biothane bridle from Pioneer Endurance as my daily hacking bridle, so easy to just wipe over and being bright it adds to my 'being seen' more easily.

 

[Widgeon]

I have a biothane Zilco bridle for hacking. It's great; you can clip the bit on and off easily (for pub stops etc) and clean it by dropping it in a bucket of hot soapy water. They do come up small though as they're endurance bridles and seem to be designed for Arabs - my 15.1 cob is in a size Full. I have traditional black because I am boring.

https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/en/gb/Zilco-SS-Marathon-Endurance-Bridle/m-48561.aspx

 

[tda]

The biothane stuff always has good reviews, I have a set of driving harness made of similar stuff and I'm so looking forward to washing it off with the hosepipe and a brush

 

[catembi]

I have got a synthetic Micklem lookalike made from biothane. I had it made & could probably dig out who made it if interested. Actually I am fairly sure that it was Plas Country Pursuits. It's fab! I also have a synthetic Transcend bitless bridle and Premier Equine synthetic dressage saddle & jumping saddle. A combination of being as vegan as possible while also too lazy to clean tack.

 

[Sandstone1]

Tekna?

 

[fredflop]

I’d go for biothene over the webbing stuff

 

[GoldenWillow]

Transcend do a biothane version of their bitless bridles.

I’ve got their leather bridles - very well made and they will mix and match sizes on request.

Transcend Double Bridle BIOTHANE | TRANSCEND

tan strapping currently not available 4 new strapping colours: silver, sky, burgundy, navy Made to order, lead time 4 weeks Double bridle (reins included) Purpose designed for 2 distinct cues. Main rein to sidecue, thin curb rein to soft padded curb strap. Versatile as can be used with double or...

www.transcendbitlessbridle.com

Thank you, I hadn't realised Transcend did biothane versions. A friend had a leather Transcend and it was a lovely bridle.

Have a look at Pioneer Endurance, there are many different bitless bridle in a range of colours and in different types of biothane.

Pioneer Endursnce are brilliant. I have some Plas stuff which is cheaper but the quality less good, I'd say.

Biothane is absolutely the way to go for me! I have the shiny version whilst the matte version is more leather look, if that matters to you.

Agreed, I have a bright orange biothane bridle from Pioneer Endurance as my daily hacking bridle, so easy to just wipe over and being bright it adds to my 'being seen' more easily.

Thank you all so much. I've has a quick look at Pioneer Endurance and there is loads of choices, both in designs, colours and they do special measurements at no extra cost so looks super promising.

I have got a synthetic Micklem lookalike made from biothane. I had it made & could probably dig out who made it if interested. Actually I am fairly sure that it was Plas Country Pursuits. It's fab! I also have a synthetic Transcend bitless bridle and Premier Equine synthetic dressage saddle & jumping saddle. A combination of being as vegan as possible while also too lazy to clean tack.

Thank you, I can't see it on Plas Country Pusuits website but I can contact them to find out if they do them.

Really grateful for all these recommendations, it looks like there's going to be an option that will work for us so very happy.

 

[webble]

Another vote for pioneer zoe is really helpful

 

[saddlesore]

The zilco endurance bridles are fantastic and loads of room for adjustment