BRIDLE ISSUES

[ApacheWarrior1]

I am having trouble finding a bridle to suit my cob .... every bridle I try on him seems to push forward onto the base of his ears and he seems to have very little space for a bridle .. I think this may be the reason that he starts to scratch his face after about 30 minutes of riding him (I always thought it was him scratching his leg but actually its more like he is rubbing his face and this might explain the bridle issues..... anyone else come across this and if so what kind of bridle would suit him?

 

[TheMule]

Does he just need a bigger browband? All of mine go up at least 1 size in browband compared to main bridle

 

[Barton Bounty]

Might need a bigger bridle ?

 

[dixie]

The Henry James ones are very good behind the ears.
And also I agree with making sure your browband is loose enough.

 

[nutjob]

Try taking the brow band off and see how it looks then. I have this problem with my wb who has a very wide head and always needs a bigger brow band. Also, some of the comfort type head pieces are too wide or just the wrong shape for some heads and push on the back of the ears.

 

[Barton Bounty]

If its any help? My micklem stays away from the ears and my boy loves it ?

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

Does he just need a bigger browband? All of mine go up at least 1 size in browband compared to main bridle

No, the browband is a good fit for him - its the lack of room behind his ears and any bridles I try all seem to push forward onto the back of his ears?

Try taking the brow band off and see how it looks then. I have this problem with my wb who has a very wide head and always needs a bigger brow band. Also, some of the comfort type head pieces are too wide or just the wrong shape for some heads and push on the back of the ears.

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

I already have removed the noseband but it just doesnt look right without the brow band also - and its got plenty room in the browband - I think the comfort / padded ones just work against him and he maybe needs a fine, flat headpiece no wider that 1 cm wide and set back behind his ears - if such a thing exists?

 

[nutjob]

I already have removed the noseband but it just doesnt look right without the brow band also - and its got plenty room in the browband

I don't mean to ride all the time with no brow band, just to try it without a couple of times to see if the horse is happier and test whether it sits differently. Older, traditional bridles used to have thinner unpadded headpieces. I also had an old stubben where the headpiece was split so that the throat lash and cheekpiece attachments were separate. Each piece was very thin but then there were 2 separate pieces going over the head. I don't think you can get it now and I cannot remember what it was called atm.

 

[Identityincrisis]

Horsemanship bridles come in an array of shapes. I used a fitter to make sure i got the right one, i was surprised by what worked for him as it was the opposite of what i was expecting

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

Horsemanship bridles come in an array of shapes. I used a fitter to make sure i got the right one, i was surprised by what worked for him as it was the opposite of what i was expecting

sounds interesting i will look into that.

 

[[69117]]

I would get a bridle fitter out if he's such an awkward shape.

 

[Regandal]

I second the Horsemanship ones. Very nice bridles.

 

[vmac66]

Another one for Horsenanship saddlery bridles. They do various headpieces and all bridles are available mix and match.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I find the padded shaped head pieces irritate my horse and make him rub worse, I have gone back to using a flat straight one with a big very thin browband and he doesn't rub as much.

Sometimes the old straight forward stuff is best.

 

[BSL2]

I always buy pieces and build my own.

 

[Cowpony]

There's a Dyon bridle that has a strangely shaped headpiece that sits way behind the ears. I think it's the Difference bridle. It's very pricy and not dressage legal, but may do the trick of you're not worried about that.

 

[maya2008]

Do you have an instructor? Could they advise? Or even a picture of the bridle on the horse? That would help people to advise you better.

 

[Red-1]

My Silver Crown one is extremely narrow behind the ears. I think it is the Comporta.

 

[Ratface]

There's a Dyon bridle that has a strangely shaped headpiece that sits way behind the ears. I think it's the Difference bridle. It's very pricy and not dressage legal, but may do the trick of you're not worried about that.

I've just had a look at the Dy'on bridles. They look as if they might be suitable. Beautiful looking, too. Not too drastically expensive?

 

[ponynutz]

I always buy pieces and build my own.

I've also always done this. Works very well.

 

[Lois Lame]

Does he just need a bigger browband? All of mine go up at least 1 size in browband compared to main bridle

This is what I used to do, choose a longer browband. I think these days bridles are being made by people who have never seen a horse.

 

[little_critter]

My horse does the same, the way his poll is put together pushes the headpiece into his ears (browband fits fine). I use a FSS cut back headpiece and that seems to sit better.

 

[rextherobber]

I always buy pieces and build my own.

You can do this with Horsemanship Saddlery bridles