Micklem Bridle - is it worth an investment?

[Geeamy]

Hi all,

My horse is currently in a standard bridle - it has a good amount of padding but I’ve noticed at the end of the ride he is trying to rub his face. I’ve read somewhere that this can be linked to pressure on the nerves in a horse’s face with the use of a ‘conventional’ bridle. He doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable with it in any other way, but I also know he is the sort of horse that just ‘tolerates’ discomfort so this doesn’t necessarily mean he is feeling 100% with it.

If I were to try him in a Micklem, is it possible to have one that the ‘flash’ component could be added/removed as appropriate? The reason I ask this is because he does not open his mouth often (for example during rides with just walk/trot), but he can get a little too excited when going a bit faster. I also don’t want to use a normal flash with a normal bridle in these instances, as I feel that would cause more pressure on the nerves/affect his breathing. I do prefer the safety, for both him and I, of using something like a flash in these kinds of situations, and I still believe it is kinder than not having one on and then having to be more harsh with my hands if he does get too keen.

What are people’s thoughts?

TIA!

 

[Nancykitt]

Both of ours are in Micklems and go really, really well in them. The noseband isn't really a flash, it's more like a sort of drop noseband... again, the horses both seem absolutely fine with the noseband.
As far as I can see there is no way of removing the noseband - the upper part is stitched in and static and the lower part would need to be cut off, but the whole thing would then lack stability as the Micklem is essentially a 'one-piece' bridle (which does make it easy to clean!). I think that some models can be converted to bitless (?) but I've never tried it.
There are always second-hand Micklems available so it might be an idea to get one of those if you're not sure....I also think that some places do them on a trial basis. A brand new one is quite a lot of money and I'd be reluctant to spend it on the off chance that it would be right for your horse.
No regrets here though - we got ours when we were doing a lot of hunting and the gees were definitely more comfortable than with their previous 'comfort' bridles.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Sport Direct are selling them for £45 at the moment so not so much of an investment piece - I'd have a look there before you spend over £100 on one

 

[Nancykitt]

Sport Direct are selling them for £45 at the moment so not so much of an investment piece - I'd have a look there before you spend over £100 on one

That's quite a bargain! I think it's only the standard horse size that's £45 but they seem to have the pony and cob/small horse sizes at a reduced price too.
I do find the sizing a bit cryptic and had to try a few on my little cob.

 

[SpotsandBays]

One of mine is in one and it really helped him with the post ride itchy face. He goes a lot better in it than a standard bridle. As above the noseband is like a drop - I just do that part up loose at home and then do it up properly when doing faster work
Edit to add: I’d try and see if you can borrow one first - a) to see how your horse goes in it and b) to check the fit. My 15.3 is in the Large Horse as the standard didn’t provide enough room over the headpiece, but generally he’s in a full size bridle. (Fat head? )

 

[Cragrat]

We've had ours in them for years - my oldest Mickelm was bought 2nd hand about 15 years ago. We keep the drop noseband just tight enough so it doesn't fall under their chins - they can easily graze still. I have one multibridle which can be used in various bitless styles, which can be useful. My daughter has invested in the latest version, which has improved shaping around the ears. I do find that sometimes mixing and matching the bit straps can help get the perfect fit eg standard horse bridle with small horse bit straps on one horse, but large horse bit straps on a different horse. The browbands can be small on broad foreheads too.

 

[rextherobber]

Mine goes better in Horsemanship Saddlery bridles

 

[Geeamy]

Thank you to everyone so far!

I’ve since seen other ‘versions’ of the same look, for example the Lemieux version, which appear to be cheaper. Lemieux has generally, in my experience, proven to be good quality, so I’m thinking that could be a possibility, as long as it has the same effect as the original Micklem?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Definitely try before you buy. Some horses love them, some horses hate them, some aren’t bothered either way.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Thank you to everyone so far!

I’ve since seen other ‘versions’ of the same look, for example the Lemieux version, which appear to be cheaper. Lemieux has generally, in my experience, proven to be good quality, so I’m thinking that could be a possibility, as long as it has the same effect as the original Micklem?

My le miuex bridle leather has gone as though it's 10 years old in less than 4 months of light use so I'm not so sure about the quality... It's ever so soft which feels nice at first but my god does it deteriorate quick

 

[dottylottie]

2nd the advice to borrow one first if you can! my welshie hated it, and the sizing was really odd on her - she’s usually one of the rare horses that just fit into a cob, no diff bits needed!

 

[Spirit7]

Hi i was going to buy a Micklam for my 4 year old as he is very sensitive facially and I liked the bit less option as will try him but less at some point. However I’m not a fan of flash’s and saw the shires velotti (not sure of exact name but current style) as he has the comfort head piece and only a cavesson. I’ve oiled it a lot and it’s absolutely lovely quality and sits above nasal passages and poll. Youngster seems to prefer it to conventional cavesson bridle I was using. It’s very smart as well.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I love them. Had my last two in them and I can’t fault how they have gone in them.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have both the Micklem competition bridle and Micklem multi .
I absolutely love them, I had used the multi as a bitless for years on my tb and now using the competition on my young tb but I never tighten the flash up , its very loose. The only reason I got the competition one is because it was £29.99 and I needed an XF for Orbis noggin so thought I would try it.
I really rate them highly and the leather keeps nice and soft too

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hi i was going to buy a Micklam for my 4 year old as he is very sensitive facially and I liked the bit less option as will try him but less at some point. However I’m not a fan of flash’s and saw the shires velotti (not sure of exact name but current style) as he has the comfort head piece and only a cavesson. I’ve oiled it a lot and it’s absolutely lovely quality and sits above nasal passages and poll. Youngster seems to prefer it to conventional cavesson bridle I was using. It’s very smart as well.

That is a nice bridle, I like it a lot

 

[criso]

If the standard horse would fit, I'd take a chance at that price from sports direct. You could sell on at no loss. I did the same thing only it was about £65 from sports direct about 8 years ago and I'm still using it.

 

[Shooting Star]

They’re marmite, try before you buy if you can.

Mine absolutely hated it & I was happy with his decision too as the quality of the leather was appalling despite being one of their more premium offerings, I know others though that love them.

 

[GypsGal1718]

I personally wouldn’t buy one as it acts like a drop noseband, I love the milestone equestrian anatomical bridles as they give more freedom of movement and don’t wire their mouth shut. No bridle will avoid all nerves.

Here is a good resource

Equine Cranial Nerves

The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that arise from the central nervous system. The cranial nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system. Cranial nerves originate from the brai…

vetphysiophyle.co.uk

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Hi i was going to buy a Micklam for my 4 year old as he is very sensitive facially and I liked the bit less option as will try him but less at some point. However I’m not a fan of flash’s and saw the shires velotti (not sure of exact name but current style) as he has the comfort head piece and only a cavesson. I’ve oiled it a lot and it’s absolutely lovely quality and sits above nasal passages and poll. Youngster seems to prefer it to conventional cavesson bridle I was using. It’s very smart as well.

Thing is the buckles are too high they are meant to be at eye level because where they currently sit is a bony part of the face, this would make a huge difference to some horses.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Hi all,

My horse is currently in a standard bridle - it has a good amount of padding but I’ve noticed at the end of the ride he is trying to rub his face. I’ve read somewhere that this can be linked to pressure on the nerves in a horse’s face with the use of a ‘conventional’ bridle. He doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable with it in any other way, but I also know he is the sort of horse that just ‘tolerates’ discomfort so this doesn’t necessarily mean he is feeling 100% with it.

If I were to try him in a Micklem, is it possible to have one that the ‘flash’ component could be added/removed as appropriate? The reason I ask this is because he does not open his mouth often (for example during rides with just walk/trot), but he can get a little too excited when going a bit faster. I also don’t want to use a normal flash with a normal bridle in these instances, as I feel that would cause more pressure on the nerves/affect his breathing. I do prefer the safety, for both him and I, of using something like a flash in these kinds of situations, and I still believe it is kinder than not having one on and then having to be more harsh with my hands if he does get too keen.

What are people’s thoughts?

TIA!

Have you tried just removing the noseband from your current bridle.

One of my horses is a mild head shaker so anything on his face can make him rub on things.

I tried various anatomical padded all sorts of different bridles but found his better in a very flat straight head piece with shorter cheek pieces that are level with his eye.

And I took the noseband off its a really old plain bridle so although all these new types claim to be better they don't work for all.

Most bridles I see on some horses just don't fit the cheeks are too long and often the browband is too small so it pulls the head piece onto the ears.

So fit is essential over anything else in my opinion.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I also think alot of modern bridles are massive bulky things which is fine on a big cob or warmblood, but they look big and ridiculous on anything that has a fine delicate head and all that bulk on the head can't be that comfortable.

 

[cauda equina]

2 of my horses went much better in Micklems, the rest were no different

The shape (length to width ratio) is odd ime - I've always needed to use a bigger browband than the one they come with, and current horse had to have a longer strap put on for the back of the noseband (a local saddler did it for a few quid) as I like it to be really loose

Someone on here cut the back bits of the noseband off entirely and just used a flashstrap threaded through to make a temporary one for dressage

 

[Barton Bounty]

2 of my horses went much better in Micklems, the rest were no different

The shape (length to width ratio) is odd ime - I've always needed to use a bigger browband than the one they come with, and current horse had to have a longer strap put on for the back of the noseband (a local saddler did it for a few quid) as I like it to be really loose

Someone on here cut the back bits of the noseband off entirely and just used a flashstrap threaded through to make a temporary one for dressage

Im the opposite with Orbi although he needs an XF especially for the jaw, but not the chin and definitely not the browband, its like a belt although I may take the browband off the SH and put it on, he might grow into it

I have also found that the competition bridle fits completely different to the multi.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Im the opposite with Orbi although he needs an XF especially for the jaw, but not the chin and definitely not the browband, its like a belt although I may take the browband off the SH and put it on, he might grow into it

I have also found that the competition bridle fits completely different to the multi.
View attachment 147494

See to me that just doesn't fit him the cheeks are too long the buckle is sitting on the bony part of his head, the buckles at the side should be at eye level, I also don't like the way the noseband and the strap around his cheek look tight, and the whole bridle is sitting where the nerves are.

I'm just not a fan of them sorry but appreciate some horses go fine in them.

 

[Barton Bounty]

See to me that just doesn't fit him the cheeks are too long the buckle is sitting on the bony part of his head, the buckles at the side should be at eye level, I also don't like the way the noseband and the strap around his cheek look tight, and the whole bridle is sitting where the nerves are.

I'm just not a fan of them sorry but appreciate some horses go fine in them.

Its defo not tight, far from it , zoom in , you can get a fatter finger in lol. I also will not tighten around his mouth either. This is only about the 4th time with it on, we are still trial and error. This is the competition in XF the multi sits completely different.
Competition



Multi
Which I need an XF in as it definitely fits better but it is tighter round the jaw, cant get a fingernail in and only on the first hole.

 

[criso]

I actually found the shape worked for Tigger who has a broad forehead and small muzzle. When I got him I tried in a traditional bridle, cob was too small; a full headpiece and browband and
cob cheekpieces wasn't bad but no nosebands looked right.

I saw a Micklem half price at sports direct and it fitted.

My previous horse was retired but hated a Cavesson so I used a drop, would have been interesting to see if he approved of a Micklem

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I just am not convinced by them and I don't think they look that nice

But then I'm probably old fashioned and I ride in this set up

 

[criso]

I went nosebandless briefly while looking for something that Frankie approved on, I needed one for dressage. It did make him look like the failed racehorse he was.

 

[cauda equina]

I just am not convinced by them and I don't think they look that nice

But then I'm probably old fashioned and I ride in this set up
View attachment 147499

My Arab has a bridle like that, minus the browband
But the cob likes his Micklem

 

[Squeak]

There's such a large range of bridles now days that it would be well worth having a bridle fitter with a selection of makes and styles. Horses have individual preferences as well as some styles fitting some shapes better than others. I do like Micklems but they don't suit/ fit all horses.