flash/drop vs. micklem bridle action?

[posie_honey]

after reading about the comments regarding flashes, their action and peoples new found like of the drop again - i wonder what the general consencous of the micklem bridle is?

answers/opinions on a postcard please where do you rate it in terms of severity/comfort etc for the horse?

i'd personally liken it to a cross between a grackle and a drop - better than a flash or a crank... but saying that it could be done up very tight so is - as anything - as good as the user

 

[millitiger]

The micklem is quite different in other ways, not just the noseband.

If you hold one by the headpiece, the balance feels very different to a normal bridle, it is hard to explain; it almost feels weightless!

The noseband/headpiece is also shaped to avoid nerve insertions on the horse's face.

Obviously if you crank up the noseband then that's a different case altogether but I don't think that is the point of it.

My horse goes far better in his Micklem than in a drop or flash (he was worst in flash). He has both straps on the Micklem quite loose- I can fit 4 x fingers in the bottom strap with ease.

 

[Natch]

For anyone who isn't sure what a micklem is:
http://www.williammicklem.com/multibridle.html

Isn't the bit supposed to be held more securely by clips as well as the usual cheek pieces, so its harder to use the bit very strongly? Its also got I think 3 different options for use as a bitless bridle.

I don't think I could compare it to a flash or a grackle, possibly a drop. I think unless it was done up tightly the horse would still be able to open his mouth. A cross between cavesson, drop and a hackamore would be my best comparrison

 

[posie_honey]

dont worry I'm a micklem convert already sig pics are old when she used to go in a drop - now she goes in a micklem competition bridle for everything and seems very happy in it. alas i really need two though - horse size for headpiece and extra large for nosband - its on last holes - i'd not want it any tighter - but i dislike using the last holes!

i do also want a multiuse one for hacks so she can go bitless for long hacks/pub rides etc.

but anyway - yes it is difficult to compare but everyone has such strong opinions on the flash/drop subjecct i thought i'd just throw this one in for a change

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

It looks like a lungeing cavesson with a drop noseband, with the option to attach a bit. I like the way the bit can be attached to the noseband directly, taking pressure off the mouth. I'd think horses owned by riders with unsteady hands would benefit from that feature. Looks like a decent bit of equipment, but wonder if it will ever become popular because it doesn't look like a normal bridle and that might put some people off?

 

[posie_honey]

the competition version doesnt have the additional rings etc on and cant go bitless
its a bit smarter too
and you cant use clips for competitions - comp bridle does come with them though. (under BD rules anyway - not sure about jumping rules tbh - not something i've thought about as dont use them anyway)

here's the compe bridle in use if you can see it: although i've actually lifted the nose but up a hole since then