Libby's click bridle came apart riding on road!

p87

p87

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Took my three year old son out on his usual hack on his pony, with me leading. Walking back up the road on the way home pony stopped and pulled her head up and before I knew it I was left holding the reins with bit and cheek pieces. All that was left on her was the noseband, throat latch and headpiece. Since we were on the road I just pulled my son off of her and stood him on the pavement, a neighbour had seen us and came out to hold on to him while me and her husband herded pony into a driveway while a van driver stopped, put his hazards on and stopped any other traffic coming - luckily it's a quiet road, only one other car appeared.

Has anyone else had this happen? Not only did the buckles all just unclip - they haven't broken - but all the attachments for adjusting the size had undone so they were at the longest possible length. Would have taken me forever to readjust and attach it all, luckily we were just round the corner from the stables so we walked back with just a leadrope round ponys neck.

I'm really angry that it all fell apart so easily, and my poor son is upset thinking he done something wrong, bless him. Will be getting a leather bridle now I think, can't risk that happening again, especially since she didn't even pull her head that strongly!
 
Get in contact with Libbys and see if they will refund/exchange/repair your bridle. Might just be a faulty one but Libbys should be told as could have ended up quite serious if going round xc course or similar and the same happened!
 
I bought a Libby's "click" bridle.......... and it was a disaster. It didn't come apart, nope! It had the opposite problem!!!! - I couldn't get the flippin stooopid thing to come undone so it could be altered. I had a builder working here at the time, and even he with all his manly strength :) couldn't get the fasteners to come apart.

SOME of their stuff is good; the vast majority however, IMO, is expensive tatt. What particularly annoys me is the fact they use metal buckles on their stuff which RUSTS :( Also I bought a set of their webbing reins which had VELCRO at the "buckle" end, which I only realised when it had come undone when I was having an argument with my traddie boy who was convinced a spaceman had landed in the hedge! Not a very efficient piece of kit, and not cheap either.

Personally if buying synthetic/webbing tack, I'd rather go to other suppliers who's stuff IS good and you can trust it, Performance Equestrian for example (sorry, unashamedly "advertising" here!), but give me quality goods any day, which you can rely on when you need it.
 
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
I bought a Libby's "click" bridle.......... and it was a disaster. It didn't come apart, nope! It had the opposite problem!!!! - I couldn't get the flippin stooopid thing to come undone so it could be altered. I had a builder working here at the time, and even he with all his manly strength :) couldn't get the fasteners to come apart.

SOME of their stuff is good; the vast majority however, IMO, is expensive tatt. What particularly annoys me is the fact they use metal buckles on their stuff which RUSTS :( Also I bought a set of their webbing reins which had VELCRO at the "buckle" end, which I only realised when it had come undone when I was having an argument with my traddie boy who was convinced a spaceman had landed in the hedge! Not a very efficient piece of kit, and not cheap either.

Personally if buying synthetic/webbing tack, I'd rather go to other suppliers who's stuff IS good and you can trust it, Performance Equestrian for example (sorry, unashamedly "advertising" here!), but give me quality goods any day, which you can rely on when you need it.
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That's why I never expected anything like this to happen - because the fasteners seemed so tight. It took me ages to fit it when I first bought it as they wouldn't come undone.

This one has plastic buckles, not metal, and the reins also have velcro at the buckle end. This was fine though, my son is still on the lead rein and just pottering around, I was gong to buy him a leather set with the coloured stripes for when he is let off the lead rein, but it looks like we will just be buying a leather bridle!

Gutted about it, she looks so good being all matchy matchy, but safety comes first! Will have to have a scout around for a better baby blue bridle :p

IMG_0532_zps95f946b6.jpg
 
Just got to say that is one of the cutest pics I've seen!

Scary thing to happen out on the road. Some of those plastic clips can be pretty poor, I can remember rucksacks that used to ping open when they were a bit heavy. Might just be a faulty one & I would second getting in touch with the company (I haven't heard of them myself so can't comment on quality etc)

I want a blue bridle now...at 24 & with a 16hh TBx can I get away with it? :lol:
 
i love that blue, my favourite colour. aside from that, i refuse to use a bridle or dog collar with these click fastenings as i have experienced this problem quite often.

contact Libbys, the old owner would offer an immediate refund, hope the newer owner has the decency to do the same
 
What a gorgeous picture - your son looks so happy!

If the leather baby blue bridle is an option then I would go for that. Definitely get in touch with Libby's and let them know what happened. It may just be a faulty one or they may need to change their design.
 
Hi i just have to share this on HRSA cause i am squealing at the cuteness of that picture!!!!

As for the bridle, it is not one i would generally use.
 
That is just so cute!
Plas equestrian can make plastic zilco type and also webbing bridles up that are great quality and being endurance based come in vulgar colours :p
 
I have 4 Libby's bridles, they're not the click version, but have never had any problems... I've had 2 of them for 9 years and they're used as everyday bridles. I'd get in contact with the owner and let her know.
 
Ooohhh!!!! GORGEOUS picture!

Yes, your bridle is exactly like the one I bought OP. Libby's were OK about offering me a refund for it, so I'd get on to them if I were you; especially so as there was a safety issue involved.

Try the Performance Equestrian website: there are others doing similar stuff, but they don't come to mind right now. Dunno if they do Baby Blue tho'....... but know they do a Royal Blue.
 
Thanks everyone, have sent them an email, will let you know how I get on!

Yes he is a happy wee dude, loves his pony to bits, and she loves him just as much! They ride all round the village together and have a massive fan base, he is desperate to take her into nursery with him to play with him and his friends haha :)
 
Cutest picture ever!!
I always use leather bridles, but once did use a Libbys click one for a short amount of time as my horse had managed to destroy his leather one and I needed a quick spare. It was a good few years ago now so can't remember it too clearly, but something similar happened to us and it just fell apart as we were going along! Probably for the best as it was pink and he was embarrassed to be seen with it, but not at all safe and if he'd been any sharper he'd have been off - luckily for us he was just surprised at his bridle falling off. Agree with others, take a look at the endurance bridles as they are generally quite tough (and colourful!)x
 
That must have been scary glad you areaall ok

I have a webbing bridle with buckles and it is now nearly 4 years old, think Roma Is the make. Mine is black but I tthink there was a purple or blue one in Robinson's. I have had to change the reins quite a bit though as the rubber tends to perish.

Cant have clicky one anyway as think scared of everything Welsh cob would add clicking things to his list of things that will eat him

Yep there is a blue leather one, someone who used to loan one of old yos horses bought him one, let's say yo was not amused!
 
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cremedemonthe said:
Personally I think using plastic side release clips on anything equestrian is asking for trouble they are just not strong enough.
It should always be good quality metal buckles. I won't even use side release clips on dog harness or collars I might be making let alone bridles.
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This. I don't trust my dog in anything that's not robust, certainly wouldn't trust my horse!

Face exploding from cuteness overload too :)
 
Personally recommend Pioneer Equestrian run by lovely lady called Zoe. High quality endurance bridles and breastplates, supplies gb team. Not cheap but beautifully made, last for years with metal quick release fittings. Very good value. I've bought from several suppliers like Zilco, which is fine, but the Pioneer by far my favourite.
 
Sorry its pioneer harness! I have a blue and white bridle and breastplate, sure Zoe could do a baby blue version for you. Maybe consider platted reins, might be easier for tiny hands.
 
We're really impressed with our pioneer bridle too. Zoe did us a really unusual and versatile bitless/bitted combination bridle. Both Zoe from Pioneer and Steve from Performance Eq will make you up whatever you want, they're both very good suppliers.
 
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