Bridle for a sensitive soul

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TwoStroke

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After finally resolving my bitting, girthing and saddle issues with my sensitive 5yo, I now appear to have bridle issues :rolleyes:.

I splashed out on a lovely jaguar comfort bridle with padding everywhere, but it appears to be insufficiently comfortable! He rubs madly as soon as I get off, particularly around the nose/mouth. I also think it's too tight around the headpiece/browband.

I was looking at a micklem, but it's a lot to shell out on another bridle, which may turn out to be no better!

Has anyone found a mexican grackle helps with these issues? Would still have to use the cavesson for pure dressage, of course. We have no problems with contact - evading/jaw crossing/leaning or anything of that sort - he's just a very sensitive soul! Does anyone make silk bridles? :rolleyes:
 
Why not just buy a plain ordinary bridle that actually fits him correctly and then if the problems are only that he is rubbing his face when you get off address this as a rather rude habit?
 
He's already got a cavesson bridle. I'm not 100% happy with the fit of the head piece/browband, but the horse seems more sensitive around the noseband, which fits fine.

I don't see why I should brush it off as the horse being rude, he's not a rude horse - he wouldn't do it if he was comfortable.
 
Well it's an approach that's worth thinking about but never mind.

Get him a bridle that fits correctly and don't use any noseband until you are convinced that he's comfy with everything else. Incidentally, you haven't said what noseband you are currently using.
 
He's in a padded cavesson at the moment, and has to wear a noseband to compete.

I can't really afford to buy bridle after bridle in a process of elimination, hence asking on here for similar experiences.
 
Ah well, my sensitive AA mare all at once started to rub her nose on her legs as soon as you dismounted. She didn't do it whilst ridden but as soon as you got off she'd start. She was started at home so she'd never been in uncomfy tack, always plain kit that fitted properly. We reminded her not to, by lifting her head, and she stopped doing it. She just didn't know any better at the start:)

Have you tested whether he is better without a noseband? I'm fully aware that competitions require nosebands:) If he is better without a noseband then try him with one on and make that the very first thing you do as you hop off - undo the noseband and tuck it back over his neck (if he'll cope with that). See if that helps.
 
Just to add, is he becoming very wet and frothy in his mouth and is that travelling up his cheeks behind the bit rings? If it is then carrying a fairly wet sponge to wipe round his mouth as you get off might help if that's what he's finding irritating.
 
Could you try and borrow a Micklem from anyone locally? Maybe put up an ad at a comp venue or feed merchants etc? The noseband arrangement really is very sympathetic and good on the Micklem and it has a padded headpiece too.
I too would suggest just trying without a noseband to pinpoint that as an issue. Have you thought of trying sheepskin covers at points on the bridle? That is becoming a more common sight - you can get the velcroed sheepskin slips cheaply enough.

Is he sweating on his face?
 
With mine it's not a casual rub against the leg, more a frantic rub against anything he can find. I undo the noseband first, but I'm obviously not quick enough for his liking. I thought about taking the noseband off, but will have to try and sponge a different bridle from someone, as this one has the headpiece all in one which leaves straps hanging loose near the eye sans noseband, and he's quite spooky... Maybe I could tie them to the cheekpieces, though - hadn't thought of that.

He has a soft mouth, so froths moderately, but it doesn't migrate upwards. He doesn't get sweaty under his bridle either, and the nose band is pretty loose.

Good idea re. sheepskin - I'll give that ago (and hope no one sees! :o). I've asked around for a micklem to try, but no luck so far :(.
 
Try www.hireamicklembridle.co.uk - you can hire one for £15 for 2 weeks, which is then deducted from the cost if you decide to buy. They are dressage legal as long as you don't use the optional plastic clips.

Head rubbing as you describe can be a sign of discomfort - it was with my mare and the bridle worked really well for her.
 
My TB couldn't stand any type of noseband and the soft padded variety were actually the worse. To compete I used a very old flat hunter type noseband but took it off the rest of the time.
 
Oliver12 said:
My TB couldn't stand any type of noseband and the soft padded variety were actually the worse. To compete I used a very old flat hunter type noseband but took it off the rest of the time.
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Snap! My tb used to throw his head everywhere and scratch on anything he could - spent a fortune on a lovely comfort bridle, no difference, removed the noseband one day just as a last ditch attempt, voila! Happy horsey. Of course this doesn't help you with the showing problem :o sorry
 
Many sensitive horses don't actually like padded bridles. Better imo to get a plain bridle which has along enough browband and a cavesson noseband which can be adjusted to fit and taken off except for competition.
 
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