Anatomical head pieces

[MereChristmas]

I would like to buy a new bridle but am bemused by the different anatomical head pieces.
I like the look of the Henry James and Horsemanship ones but
how on earth do you know which head piece to choose.
Also is the extra price worth it? Would a Shires one be just as good?
None of the websites help. The benefits listed are all the same for each model.
None say e.g. “suitable for ears xx” apart” .
Can anyone give any further information please?
I have tried to get a bit and bridle fitter to visit but no one is available for ages and I can see Finan isn’t comfortable.
Thank you.

 

[Polos Mum]

If you can have a read up on the bridle fit criteria and then sadly trial and error (maybe see if you can borrow some to try?)
I went to a talk on how to fit them (by the local fitter) it was really interesting and i learned loads (I've been buying bridles for 30 years so thought I had a clue!)

have a look at your horses head shape and where the bridle doesn't fit well currently - where are the buckles, what size of each bit do you need. How tight is it around his ears.
A make that let you mix and match would be a priority as rarely does "full" fit

Mine is in full headpiece, extra full browband, pony cheeks - he is not a weird shape at all.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I would like to buy a new bridle but am bemused by the different anatomical head pieces.
I like the look of the Henry James and Horsemanship ones but
how on earth do you know which head piece to choose.
Also is the extra price worth it? Would a Shires one be just as good?
None of the websites help. The benefits listed are all the same for each model.
None say e.g. “suitable for ears xx” apart” .
Can anyone give any further information please?
I have tried to get a bit and bridle fitter to visit but no one is available for ages and I can see Finan isn’t comfortable.
Thank you.

I'd recommend Horsemanship Saddlery. If you can send some photos to the lady, she is very helpful at telling you what size and shape would be suitable for your particular horse. The headpieces are high quality, I'm very happy with my one.

 

[MereChristmas]

If you can have a read up on the bridle fit criteria and then sadly trial and error (maybe see if you can borrow some to try?)
I went to a talk on how to fit them (by the local fitter) it was really interesting and i learned loads (I've been buying bridles for 30 years so thought I had a clue!)

have a look at your horses head shape and where the bridle doesn't fit well currently - where are the buckles, what size of each bit do you need. How tight is it around his ears.
A make that let you mix and match would be a priority as rarely does "full" fit

Mine is in full headpiece, extra full browband, pony cheeks - he is not a weird shape at all.

Thankyou
I did read a bit about bridle fit which is what has made me realise Finan’s is not a good fit.

 

[MereChristmas]

I'd recommend Horsemanship Saddlery. If you can send some photos to the lady, she is very helpful at telling you what size and shape would be suitable for your particular horse. The headpieces are high quality, I'm very happy with my one.

Thank you
I will try and contact them tomorrow

 

[Zoeypxo]

I really like premier equine anatomical cavesson bridle, fits my horse like a glove. 2 others on the yard purchased it after me and also fits them really nicely.
One of those would not let anyone near his ears, since the anatomical head piece went on he lets you touch his ears (big clydesdale)

 

[ElvisandTilly]

I purchased a made to measure from Wolds Exclusive Bling (see Facebook Page) and Lara Dennis does come out to areas to measure and bridle fit to yours and your horses requirements.

 

[MereChristmas]

I really like premier equine anatomical cavesson bridle, fits my horse like a glove. 2 others on the yard purchased it after me and also fits them really nicely.
One of those would not let anyone near his ears, since the anatomical head piece went on he lets you touch his ears (big clydesdale)

I purchased a made to measure from Wolds Exclusive Bling (see Facebook Page) and Lara Dennis does come out to areas to measure and bridle fit to yours and your horses requirements.

Thanks both
off to look them up

 

[Caol Ila]

My Highland's ridiculous custom bridle will have an anatomical headpiece because everything I've bought for him seems to ram against the back of his ears.

My PRE seem to fit bridles straight off the shelf. She's inherited the ones that didn't fit the Highland.

 

[MereChristmas]

My Highland's ridiculous custom bridle will have an anatomical headpiece because everything I've bought for him seems to ram against the back of his ears.

My PRE seem to fit bridles straight off the shelf. She's inherited the ones that didn't fit the Highland.

Thank you
I compared my Connie’s width to the TB x I rode with yesterday. My pony is far wider. His normal f/s headpiece isn’t wide enough. The browband pushes past the end of the slit down the throat latch

 

[Regandal]

The Horsemanship website has a guide on how to measure the horse’s head and then choose parts accordingly. At least it used to. Build your own bridle type thing. Love the bridle I got from them. Headpiece on all of them is set well back.

 

[MereChristmas]

The Horsemanship website has a guide on how to measure the horse’s head and then choose parts accordingly. At least it used to. Build your own bridle type thing. Love the bridle I got from them. Headpiece on all of them is set well back.

Thank you
It seems as if I will need to buy a bridle of parts, like Horsemanship so
I will contact them ASAP. I am grand children sitting next week so chances will be limited for a bit.?

 

[Pippity]

I'm another fan of the Horsemanship ones.

This is the especially chunky one they used to make but sadly don't any more, the Saturn Orion, which I use for hacking.



I also have the standard Saturn with the hunter noseband, which I use for schooling.



(That's a LeMieux browband on the second pic, so don't blame Horsemanship for it!)

I like that, unlike most anatomical bridles, you can use them without a noseband. Horsemanship sell a double-buckle throatlash so you can put that on the lower strap, and the bit and cheekpieces on the upper strap. Unfortunately, they never did them for the Orion, which is the bridle I'd prefer to use without a noseband. I keep meaning to find someone to make one for me.

Also, their browbands are generally big enough to actually fit. So many bridles have too-small browbands, which make any headpiece uncomfortable, no matter how anatomically designed it is.

Downsides - browbands don't stay up very well on the Saturn. I have a couple of plaiting bands wrapped around the headpiece to keep them up. Maureen, the owner, is very knowledgable but can be quite short.