Argh! BRIDLE RANT!

Oberon

Oberon

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My horse takes XF size bridles.

I'd like to replace my current old bridle with a better quality one.

I just want a brown, XFS, comfort, cavesson bridle of good quality under £60.

But every one has a bloody Flash or Grakle.

I don't want a bloody Flash or a Grakle!

Argh!
 
Try this link:

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Plain_Cavesson_Bridle_with_Reins_snaffle_bridle_cheap_reins-(908).aspx

I agree about the flash noseband, too many are done up far too tightly, otherwise they do not perform the function. They cause the upper and lower teeth to bulge out through the cheeks like two ridges along the side of the face. The upper cavesson band will press the cheeks towards the teeth if too snugly adjusted, or even loosely adjusted if the horse resists the bit and gapes against the noseband. In a young horse the corners of the mouth can bulge upwards with the rein aids and help with the squeeze. And common are the ulcers and lesions on the insides of the cheeks of horses, young and old.
 
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I would say spend the extra bit of money and buy a Jeffries one. I had a 17.2 Irish Draught with a HUGE head and their XF fit him perfectly, and came with a nice thick cavesson noseband.

Bridles automatically coming with grackles and flash nosebands does my head in! A HUGE pet hate of mine!
 
Try this seller on ebay -
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/English-leath...Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item746ab9a1ad

I bought one as a budget bridle and actually prefer it to my albion kb bridle! I have a normal leather one that cost me £30 in an auction, not in patent, but her shop is pretty empty at the moment so email her to see what she has. I bought cob size for my WB who has a full in everthing else after she gave me measurements - they come up very big. So check measurements with her before you buy as may only need a full
 
Ive got the same problem! The only X Full bridles ive found so far either has a flash or grackle :/ Or it's a double bridle.. hard work aye! Your best bet it looking at the equine shops on ebay, Ive found a few quality bridles but their abit pricey, good luck :)
 
Seem to remember that you can get XF Jeffries bridles (?from Rideaway). I think their snaffle bridle comes with a choice of nosebands or you can just get a headpiece, browband and cheeks set then add your own choice of noseband.
 
Have you tried Derby House? I got a lovely bridle in their sale for less than half price (£31.99) with cavesson noseband, not XFS though but they might have them
 
Another vote for Jeffries! i recently got a cavesson bridle from eBay.. Brand new and unused for just under £50! and a tenner for Jeffries reins that were used (but look brand new!!) - Bargain!! :D:D:D
 
I ended up buying mine piece by piece! But then He's a full with an XF noseband and I wanted a two inch thick hunter one.

It is a real bug bear of mine too that flash and grakles come as standard.
 
Don't think I've ever found an off the shelf bridle that fits correctly. The cheek pieces are always too long so that even using a snaffle the buckle is either at the top or only just below. I was always lead to believe that a well fitting bridle should have buckle fastenings in the middle of the holes. Noseband headpieces are usually too long as well.
I've had two made. One about twenty years ago that is still going strong, and one recently which was made to measure and looks lovely. Right width of leather to suit the head, including browband slightly wider than usual and noseband much wider than I thought I needed, but the saddler recommended this and she was absolutely right.
 
I have the same problem my horse is an 18hh irish draught and I'm looking to get a new bridle, I think I may have to up my budget as I need and XF with a really nice big noseband;) Any recommendations would be fab!
 
With a large 17.2 warmblood, I have the same issue with bridles and rugs too, some rugs only going up to 6'9 which is too small. Please equine manufacturers increase the XL size! Good luck with the bridle search.
 
Two of mine are in XXF bridles!!!

I found a nice hunter style online for one of them but the browband was almost 2 inches too small!!

I now have the saddler make me my bridles. So much better than buying off the hook and the quality is great!!
 
Try buying the parts separately and making up your own customised bridle. Our pony is between cob and pony size, so this is what we do to get the right fit and avoid the grackle trap!
 
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