John whitaker or heritage bridle- help me decide please!

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timetoride

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Need a new bridle for competing/ xc etc (preferably English leather) and have been looking at both the John Whitaker and heritage bridle- does anyone know the quality of either? Or should I pay a bit more and go for another one to make sure I get good quality? Just surprised you can get English leather ones for these prices... or is it just because it is on sale? help! :o :p

http://www.jnequestrian.co.uk/john-whitaker-flash-bridle-269-p.asp

Also has anyone bought from this saddler before? Always worry buying online...

Thank you so much for any replies!
 
I have a heritage martingale, I was pleasantly surprised at the price too, with the same mild query you have...got to say, it's lovely quality.

Does English leather always equal made in England/UK though? (I'm pretty sure the heritage stuff is, I gave them a Google the other day as I was so impressed with the price).
 
I've had my heritage bridle for 6 years with intermittent cleaning and it still looks good as new
 
We just bought a Heritage bridle for my daughters pony and its gorgeous. I had one previously for my TB and it looked dreadful on him as he has such a little head and its quite chunky so bear that in mind if your horse is very fine. If not I 100% recommend!
 
In my opinion The John Whitaker Ones are a complete waste of money. The leather is awful and the colour coating started to peel on it after about a month. My 3 month old Jw bridle was in worse condition than my 2 yeard old shires one. I look after my tack and clean and condition it regularly but that still didn't stop the bridle from getting ruined.
 
Do you mean the heritage from matmarlow or the generic cheaper heritage. If so, I'd recommend the generic cheaper heritage, nice and chunky, very sturdy and great quality, I have one for showing and one for general use, also won't break the bank.
 
I've had the complete opposite with my John Whitaker it's beautiful the leather was like butter from the day it arrived and has stayed like this. I've hardly had to oil it just regular saddle soap.
 
Must say, I found the John Whittaker phenomenal, esp on a little delicate Tb head. She looked stunning, and the leather stayed beautiful, and I hardly ever cleaned it! The cheaper heritage for a heavier cob type I think, would be better.
 
I've had my cheap JW one for almost 3 years and it's still in very good condition and supersoft despite much mistreatment from me :D
 
I have a JW which has put up with a fair amount of abuse from me and still looks fine and dandy. Probably had it about two years and used it a lot. Also have a matching five point which has lasted similarly well.

Am also looking at heritage bridles as my others won't match the new saddle...
 
I recently bought a heritage bridle. and due to a design flaw its unusable. Ive sent pics of it to Matt, in the hope he will replace the part that wont work. I really hope he does and it was just an unusual mistake, as its a nice bridle just as the way it is, unsafe+ unusable.

However he has been quick to respond to the emails, so fingers crossed it can be rectified soon - and of course that's not say you would ever get any problems with one, just my experience so far.
 
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alainax said:
I recently bought a heritage bridle. and due to a design flaw its unusable. Ive sent pics of it to Matt, in the hope he will replace the part that wont work. I really hope he does and it was just an unusual mistake, as its a nice bridle just as the way it is, unsafe+ unusable.

However he has been quick to respond to the emails, so fingers crossed it can be rectified soon - and of course that's not say you would ever get any problems with one, just my experience so far.
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Just look out for the unexpected £5 handling fee and the deduction of about £7 postage for returned items on top of the postage paid to return the item. To be fair i was sent the measurements of noseband and browband, but it was the headpiece that didnt fit. The cheaper heritage bridles are great, they are the ones with the heritage logo.
 
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I bought a heritage bridle and I must say I'm impressed, had it about 3-4 years now, for the price (under £50 price range) I doubt you'd find a better quality bridle.
 
Never had a Whitaker one partly coz of cost and partly coz everything Whitaker we have had has been poor quality high price and fallen apart quickly.
 
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