Following on from the post what bridle do you have - please help!!

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Maizy

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Following on from the post what bridle do you have - please help!!

I found the post on types of bridles you all have really interesting. I am looking for my young lady's first bridle and could do with some help please!

She is unbroken so I was hoping to get something for her early days but also one that would last for a while. I want good quality leather and I would like to find one that matches her colour so tan/brown/havana. I think I would like a hunter style with a thick padded noseband like her headcollar. Ideally a double as I although she will not use this for a while I want an investment bridle. Does anyone recommend crank style bridles?

What I really want to know is what do you all think she would suit? Thank you!

I hope the image works I am photo virgin...

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Wow , she's a gorgeous girly
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I have this stubben but I does come in a crank version , I loooove the colour :
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Or there do a tan version
 
Thanks ISH - I think she is too but then I should do!

Your bridle looks lovely - I really don't know much about cranks other than they give even pressure? Would love to know how people find them. I love the colour of your bridle and it really suits your horse.

The only thing is I think I would like a wider and flat padded noseband as her face is quite long but maybe I am being fussy I just can't find one online....oh and I think I would need a fullsize cheek pieces but cob nose band like her mummy had...Pain...
 
I would suggest getting a good quality English leather bridle secondhand from somewhere like Ebay. If you take a few measurements of her around the browband area and around the nose that would give you a clue as to what sizes your are most likely to need. Most sellers would be helpful to take measurements for you and in a properly made up bridle ( not one put together) you tend to find the browband and noseband parts match up with the sizing of the rest of the bridle ie headpiece etc. So if your noseband part and browband is comparable to a cob size then chances are your horse would be cob size in the rest of the bridle.
Doesn't always work like that though and there can be exceptions to the rule. Jefferies do a good sizing chart which I use when selling bridles I have bought that don't fit or make them up to sell. I would be happy to email you the chart of you pm me your email addy.
The reason I would suggest getting a secondhand bridle is that you can pick up a good bargain. Especially if English leather it will be worn in so no stiffness which is a pain when trying to adjust fasteners when leather is stiff and new.
If you need to swap around bits ie need a full headpiece but the rest is cob size then you won't have to take apart your Sabre or Stubben bridle for instance.
The bridle is going to be used in all weathers and is for breaking purposes. Wet weather can play havoc with leatherwork and equally in dry hot weather it can be subject to cracking.
If you bought a bridle for breaking in purposes then you could then use this as a general schooling bridle and buy a better later for hacking and showing/jumping purposes.
Alternatively you could always think about a synthetic bridle which can be used in any weather, rain or shine. You can get fabric such as Libby's bridles or leather lookalike varieties for those that want the leather look.
Good luck, very nice filly btw
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Caz
 
Thanks Caz- you have some great ideas. I have been keeping my eye on eBay. I guess I was hoping to get away with one good new bridle, but the idea of having a nice supple one that isn't uncomfortable on her is worth considering. I do have my old boys ancient cob sabre around but I think it has been left to dry out for too long.

The only reason I say about the different sizes is that her mums had the same shaped/sized head and her show bridle was a mixture of cob/full size. I have never been too keen on the synthetic ones but maybe I should take a proper look at least for breaking in!! thank you.
 
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You both have stunnign horses! LOVE LOVE LOVE that bridle on them! GET IT!!
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thanks Nightbrezze - remind me not to take my credit card shopping with you i'd buy the shop!
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I just bought a Heritage bridle from ebay. Very similar to the rhinegold ones, but a bit cheaper, i only wanted a cheap second bridle as im fed up of changing bits! It does have the elevator type headpiece though which i like.

My nice bridle is from risely saddlery, they sell everything seperately so you can make your bridle up exactly how you want. Its all lovely english leather, think its morris and nolan. They specialise in making extra large and extra small tack, but obviously do normal sizes too! They do some fantastic thick nosebands, mines quite thick but they had one about twice as thick as that!

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They have a website, just google the name!
 
No probs
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I too have the same problem with Mcfly in that when we changed his bridle to black his noseband was way to big ( full size). I even put extra holes in the part that goes around the head but it was still a bit too big and I didn't want to cut it down as it was new so we have left the noseband off lol.
I did try some spare nosebands I had at home but although they were fine on the length most of the cob ones were not wide enough to fasten around his nose.
It may be worth a try just trying the Sabre one on her though for sizing and see which parts fit and don't fit.
I have put the link here for the e jefferies size guidelines which may be of some use to you.
bridle size guidelines

I use these guidelines to find sizes for most of the bridles that I sell. For the nosebands though I only use the sizes for hunter style and flash nosebands ( as obviously grackle and dropped have totally different measurements). As you were thinking of getting a hunter style noseband the sizes would be ok. I use the guidelines for any make of bridle to be honest as most of the bits I have don't always have the makers stamp on the leatherwork. Give or take an inch or two on some of the guidelines I have found it very useful for my needs.
I know a friend of mine swears by synthetic and I got some for my two ( got before I had the lads) one was full and one was cob size and neither fitted the cob, either too small or too big and the big lad is extra full so no joy there lol.
With regards to the fastenings for the cheekpieces as someone has pointed out buckle fastenings are much easier because billets can be so hard to adjust especially when the bridle is on the horse. You can also get snap hook fastenings which are even easier to use ( although that would depend on the bit being used and it may be tricky for something like a full cheek with keepers for instance)
Cazx
 
[ QUOTE ]
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You both have stunnign horses! LOVE LOVE LOVE that bridle on them! GET IT!!
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[/ QUOTE ]

thanks Nightbrezze - remind me not to take my credit card shopping with you i'd buy the shop!
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Hehe ok!!! Will do!
 
My horse came with a Sabre Cordoba and it looks like a really comfortable bridle, v soft leather and a padded crank noseband with a flash attachment if you want one, the padded headpiece is all in one instead of the noseband strap next to it so that makes it more comfortable. I think they're about £125 but it is a really lovely bridle.
 
sabre cordoba's are lovely bridles If your mare is beween sizes I would go for a full as they come up quite small compared to some other makes
 
I love the Albion KB comfort bridle. It is already VERY soft so no probs there, and you can ask for a different size of noseband if need be. The noseband comes in 2 widths so you can order either a narrow or broad one, and you can also order the type of reins you like, such as full or half rubber (or nubuck). They do the most gorgeous super weymouth double bridle that has rolled leather but as its over £300 I would not trust it on a youngster!!!! I would personally go for a plain fastening cavesson as opposed to a crank, but its just personal preference really. Just because a noseband is a crank doesn't men you have to overtighten it.
 
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