Micklem Bridle

[Runner1]

HI all, I am thinking about getting the above bridle, my 17hh is not strong but chomps his happy mouth and won't accept metal so wondered if this would do the trick as I could ride bitless when needed and use a bit for schooling...

He can be strong when he wants to be but rarely, I use a high ring grackle when he is and for jumping...

I event which would mean I can use it for all disciplines...

Any comments on those who use them?

 

[charmeroo]

Is the Micklem the bridle which is bitless and the reins sort of cross over under the chin? If so I don't think I would have much faith in it if my horse got stong. I've seen the bridle as I've described used but only on very placid horses and I'm a bit iffy about it! Also if you are going to use a bit to school I cannot see the benefit of swapping about as your horse will not accept a bit any better. As a thought - have you had his teeth checked recently? Or is he young? My young TB was very unsettled in the mouth for a while but he got over it!

 

[Mari]

I investigated the Micklem Bridle & the Dr Cook bitless bridle & opted for the Dr Cook for the following reasons:-
As a bitless bridle they both work in the same way, cross over under chin.
I already have a good bridle that I use with a bit.
The clips for the bit on a Micklem are plastic & can rub.
The Dr Cook was less fussy looking on horse's head.
The Dr Cook was a lot cheaper.
I use the Dr Cook for hacking, jumping, showing, schooling, dressage but also do all these with his bitted bridle too as most competitions won't let you compete in a bitless, even tho we only do unaffiliated everything. Horse prefers & goes better in the Dr Cook & the few times I have been permitted to compete in it we were either 1st or 2nd - in strong classes I might add.

 

[Runner1]

He is fully up to date with teethe being checked and saddles etc...

It's the way he has always been, he doesn't like metal has never accepted it so use happy mouths but if he gets a bit tense he tends to like to chomp on it, he schools very well, wont he Hickstead championships couple of years ago

I am looking for the bitless part to be used for hacking and to use a bit when schooling and jumping.

Thanks for your feedback...