Lemieux bridles: are they worth it?

[lifewithflash]

I'm thinking about buying the kudos work bridle from Lemieux as I think it's a simple but very pretty and would suit my pony but I'm wanting to know if it's worth the money. And if not, what other bridles brands are nice and good quality.

 

[Panda2000]

I would say go for it. Lemieux bridles are really good quality although on the more expensive side but they really do last and look fab. However I heard somewhere that because they are 'work bridles' they are not allowed for competitions but this might not be true but something to look into if you are looking to complete.

 

[HorseMaid]

It looks like a nice enough bridle for the money! Forgive me if I'm being thick but why would it not be allowed for competitions?

 

[Dave's Mam]

It looks like a nice enough bridle for the money! Forgive me if I'm being thick but why would it not be allowed for competitions?

The clips, I think.

 

[Barton Bounty]

The bridles are every bit worth it, soft and delicious smelling

 

[IrishMilo]

I recently eyed them up at Burghley and thought how nice they were, really soft.

 

[holeymoley]

I have the work bridle. It's really nice, can't fault it. My horse managed to break the clip on the cheepiece and LeMieux sent me out a new one free of charge. Same with the flash noseband, the keeper was broken on it. Le Mieux asked for it to be returned and sent out a new one.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have one, the brown one - I love it. Fits nice, very soft, good quality, good stitching and the clips are a god send!
I saw someone competing at Sunshine Tour at Hickstead in one yesterday

 

[MagicMelon]

Am I the only one to find clips on bridles a crazy idea? I had one once and my horse very nearly clipped itself onto a haynet which is a bad accident waiting to happen. I just feel horses manage to get themselves into enough stupid situations without clips so close on their faces...

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Am I the only one to find clips on bridles a crazy idea? I had one once and my horse very nearly clipped itself onto a haynet which is a bad accident waiting to happen. I just feel horses manage to get themselves into enough stupid situations without clips so close on their faces...

No different to a headcollar imo. Plus if they do then it will break, just like a leather strap would. Dex doesn't wear one if I don't have half an eye on him, but I also let him get himself into all sorts of situations so that he learns he doesn't need to panic.

 

[MagicMelon]

No different to a headcollar imo. Plus if they do then it will break, just like a leather strap would. Dex doesn't wear one if I don't have half an eye on him, but I also let him get himself into all sorts of situations so that he learns he doesn't need to panic.

Most headcollars I think have the other type of clip (where you have to pull the little bit down), mine certainly does. So they're not so easy to clip onto things. My horse managed to hook a clip onto a part of my trailer once (a hook that held the back door spring) and his leather headcollar didnt break. I had to cut if off him as he stood freaked out with his full weight against it. I cant imagine how awful thatd be if it was connected to his bit.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Most headcollars I think have the other type of clip (where you have to pull the little bit down), mine certainly does. So they're not so easy to clip onto things. My horse managed to hook a clip onto a part of my trailer once (a hook that held the back door spring) and his leather headcollar didnt break. I had to cut if off him as he stood freaked out with his full weight against it. I cant imagine how awful thatd be if it was connected to his bit.

A couple at the yard have the same sort of clip, but most have the type you describe. Of course all horses are different, but there are some really great groundwork exercises you can do to teach them that the answer to unwanted or uncomfortable pressure is not to move their feet and/or panic, but that pressure is relieved when they stop moving, and after that when they also soften, that would lessen this risk. You can get bit rings, rug clips, throat lashes, reins etc all stuck in things at any point. Rather than try to remove all that risk, I personally think the better thing is try to manage it if it does happen. Each to their own though of course, I don't blame you for not being keen.

 

[Bobthecob15]

We have the Le mieux dressage bridle, it's fabulous!!! Really recommend their tack

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Am I the only one to find clips on bridles a crazy idea? I had one once and my horse very nearly clipped itself onto a haynet which is a bad accident waiting to happen. I just feel horses manage to get themselves into enough stupid situations without clips so close on their faces...

Can't stand them I think they look awful ugly looking things on a bridle, I'm not even keen on them on a headcollar and never really use them to take it on or off.

 

[cheekywelshie]

I have the work one, it's great but is it true you can't use it for competitions, not even unaffiliated?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have the work one, it's great but is it true you can't use it for competitions, not even unaffiliated?

I only know you cant use bridles with clips for British Dressage not sure about anything else.