Micklem bridle - cant get it to fit!

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deoni

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Can anyone help with the Micklem bridle sizing? i have a 15.1 tb who doesn't have a big head (usually in a cob bridle) so 1st bought the small horse/cob which wouldnt do up at all. Then I swapped it for the standard horse, but same again! The throatlash will just do up but is very tight, so wouldnt ride in it, same with the bit that goes around the mouth. Is it worth getting the size up, I have heard some people find it impossible to fit one! The next size up will be the largest size, which seems stupid as she is so small!
 
Are you sure you're putting it on right? Maybe daft question but they can be a bit tricky at first. I've got an extra-large for my 17hh IDx and its true to size.
 
dixie said:
Are you sure you're putting it on right? Maybe daft question but they can be a bit tricky at first. I've got an extra-large for my 17hh IDx and its true to size.
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I think so, everything was in the right place from the instructions and looks the same as the picture! Actaully, will try it again though as she has a small tb head so just doesnt seem right. But the straps are on the last hole and are so tight i wouldnt ride in them!
 
I had a Connie x welsh d, cob size in bridles, the small horse/cob fitted him beautifully. He had a chunky roman nosed head too! The throatlash should not fit like a normal one btw, they do up so that they are close fitting rather than with a hand's width :)
 
Ditto the throatlash, because of where it is located it should not be loose like a standard throatlash, but snug. What hole have you got the bit on? I find its a bit trial and error but on tb heads tend to have the cheekpieces up high and the bit straps on one of the loosest holes.
 
look at you tube there is a video on there how to fit it - its not a throat lash as such - goes under the jaw and is reasonably tight
 
I just bought one via the hire a micklem service who were ever so helpful as I was doubtful if I would get the XL to fit my lad with a very big head.
I was asked to measure: base of ear to corner of lip and round the nose where a cavasson would fit to check for correct size.

Once I got the bridle, I sent her a link of some photos that I put on youtube for her tolook at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVygo9SIXKE&feature=plcp

Please ignore the browband measuring as due to the melanoma, we are needing a longer browband made.

Link to hire micklem site which has a link to the youtube video on how to fit
http://www.hireamicklembridle.co.uk/design_fitting.html
 
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3bh said:
Ditto the throatlash, because of where it is located it should not be loose like a standard throatlash, but snug. What hole have you got the bit on? I find its a bit trial and error but on tb heads tend to have the cheekpieces up high and the bit straps on one of the loosest holes.
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The throatlast thing was literally to tight, it was pressing hard on the bones underneath if you get me? aswell as the bit taht goes around the mouth, that was also way to tight on the last hole. I must have done it wrong then!! I'll try again tomorrow but we followed the instructions.

Just had a google and someone else woth a 15.2 tb couldnt get it to fit either! maybe TBs have deceptive head shapes :p http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=542563
 
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3bh said:
Ditto the throatlash, because of where it is located it should not be loose like a standard throatlash, but snug. What hole have you got the bit on? I find its a bit trial and error but on tb heads tend to have the cheekpieces up high and the bit straps on one of the loosest holes.
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The bit was nearer to the tightest?
 
Mine was quite tight in the throat lash bit but it is meant to be snug. Are you sure that the cheek pieces are long enough to have the throat lash on the right bit? I had to let my cheek pieces down and have the bit loops slightly higher for it work.

Can you put on a picture of your mare in it?

Mine also did stretch rather a lot as the throat lash started on the biggest hole but within a few weeks I needed to do it up a on a tighter hole.

I've had my standard one on my big 16.3 tb and my 15.1 pony sized bridle head so I think you will be able to do it with some tinkering
 
My standard sized one fits both my 15hh mare who takes a full sized head collar but on last hole and 14.2 mare who has a cob head collar. You might need to used the leather bit loops instead of plastic clips depending on bit used!
 
Mine goes on everything from an ID who I struggle to get a standard noseband to fit to a little hunter with a mini head head .
 
Vickijay said:
Mine was quite tight in the throat lash bit but it is meant to be snug. Are you sure that the cheek pieces are long enough to have the throat lash on the right bit? I had to let my cheek pieces down and have the bit loops slightly higher for it work.

Can you put on a picture of your mare in it?

Mine also did stretch rather a lot as the throat lash started on the biggest hole but within a few weeks I needed to do it up a on a tighter hole.

I've had my standard one on my big 16.3 tb and my 15.1 pony sized bridle head so I think you will be able to do it with some tinkering
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Hi, yes I'll take a picture tomorrow and upload it! i have an old bridle I have decided to cut the cheek pieces down and extend them a little bit on the micklem bits that are a bit small. Then hopefully when it stretches it will fit better! :)

I think the throatlash was more than snug. On the fitting video he could easily put his hand under, this was pressing hard on the bones. She is a bit wooly at the min but I just think its a bit stupid as I have been searching last night at it is a common problem, so I don't know why they haven't made it a bit longer!
 
I'm going to use a bit of an old bridle to extend the straps a little bit and see if it stretches. If not ill sell on ebay :p
 
I have a 15.2 tb who doesn't have a paticularly fine head and the standard horse fits her. Can you post a pic of your horse wearing the bridle? I think you will spoil the action of the bridle if you start swapping pieces round.
 
Tammytoo said:
I have a 15.2 tb who doesn't have a paticularly fine head and the standard horse fits her. Can you post a pic of your horse wearing the bridle? I think you will spoil the action of the bridle if you start swapping pieces round.
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Thanks for your reply, I will get one tomorrow. I'm only going to extend it to make it longer, wont swap anything. :) My local saddler can professionally extend the straps so will try that if no luck fitting it.
 
I have the standard horse size for my 14.3 cob which fits him lovely, but a friend of mine tried to buy one for her 14hh Highland x and could not get any size to fit. The only way she could have got the bridle to fit would have been to have bought several differnet size bridles and mixed and matched the pieces. There are some horses that these bridles just do not fit!
 
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I would drop the cheekpiece buckles lower and do the bit strap attachments up a bit tighter :) That adjustment should make the throatlash fit a bit better :)

ETS: Only by a hole though :)
 
sychnant said:
I would drop the cheekpiece buckles lower and do the bit strap attachments up a bit tighter :) That adjustment should make the throatlash fit a bit better :)

ETS: Only by a hole though :)
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Thanks, we did try dropping it and it fit better but then it sat a bit on the soft part it was meant to avoid? Rode her in it for the 1st time today, nothing unusual happened!
 
deoni said:
Have got a closer pic https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/150532_10152238253140004_1225510594_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61664_10152238267730004_1328307311_n.jpg
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The fit on the 2nd pic seems pretty good. I wouldn't have it sitting any lower, as you rightly say it will then be on the soft part of her nose which is what you need to avoid.

I agree that the "throatlash" seems tight, perhaps your saddler could make a longer strap?
 
Finnletfoo said:
I hire out Micklem Bridles, if you give me a call I will run through it with you. My website is hireamicklembridle.co.uk
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Hi, thanks i have it all fitted correctly now. :) Posted some pics above, was jst wondering if it all looked in the right place. The under the chin bit is still too tight though :(
 
The lash does look a little tight. Can you put any fingers between the lash and his/her cheekbone? If you can, it will be fine. You could get a saddler to stretch the lash for you! My saddler says he can stretch a browband by an inch!! :D
 
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