Bridle Suggestions!

[!CobsCan!]

I'm in the market for a new bridle for my lovely mare. She is currently ridden in a plain Aviemore hunt bridle and seems relatively happy in it, though this is the only one she has ever been worked in. My issue is with the flash noseband. She works much better in it but tosses her head a bit and scratches her face more with it. Are there any other options that would produce a similar result to the falsh without the issues? She is a cob with a big plain head and a slightly Roman nose if that affects it. It would be mostly for dressage along with low level jumping. Thank you for any and all suggestions!

 

[J&S]

Try a drop noseband?

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I'd recommend Henry James, fab quality & very soft leather. As above, maybe a drop noseband would do the job?

 

[!CobsCan!]

thank you both! completely forgot drop nosebands existed ??

 

[Abacus]

I read a test which showed that grackles are more comfortable and are dressage legal (including BE in all phases). Personally I prefer the look of a grackle to a drop but obvs that's just aesthetic. I have a lovely English Bridles grackle with a comfort headband and have used it for about 4 horses, they seemed happy in it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I read a test which showed that grackles are more comfortable and are dressage legal (including BE in all phases). Personally I prefer the look of a grackle to a drop but obvs that's just aesthetic. I have a lovely English Bridles grackle with a comfort headband and have used it for about 4 horses, they seemed happy in it.

I read this too. We used to have a horse who was only ever happy in a grackle.
Another recommendation for Henry James bridles, really lovely.

 

[!CobsCan!]

I read this too. We used to have a horse who was only ever happy in a grackle.
Another recommendation for Henry James bridles, really lovely.

Do either of you know where you found that? sounds like an interesting read. I've never used a grackle on her so I'll definitely hunt one down to try out. I've heard so many recommendations for Henry James bridles!! My wallet is already feeling lighter ?

 

[rextherobber]

Horsemanship Saddlery bridles are wonderful, beautiful,soft Italian leather, and you can customise each part of the bridle for a perfect fit. My horse gets very itchy in other bridles but not in this one.

 

[catkin]

A little warning on fit: Both grackle and drop are good nosebands though both must be the right size so measure very carefully. If the top part of a drop's nose piece is too short then the cheek pieces can be too high on the face and either rub the cheekbones and/or be too close to the eye. A grackle can be more adjustable but checkmeasurements particularly if it has rings on the sides, the looped ones are more adjustable (I used the looped version for native ponies for example)

 

[Bernster]

I like the collegiate comfitec bridle but you’d buy a whole bridle for the nose band I suppose. They’re not too pricey though and the leather feels nice.