Micklem Bridle

My 16hh WB has standard horse which fits beautifully. He seems to find it very comfortable and does not lean on the bit quite as much through downwards transitions. It has also seemed to help with him always wanting his head practically on the floor(hoover) when we canter/xc , dunno if it has with anyone else mind! However his flatwork has not improved in it and in my opinion it's a lot of money to pay for something that is not the miracle cure for every single horse. I think it depends on the individual horse entirely, but you can hire them for two weeks to try!
 
Got mine last week and so far I am happy with it. My horse is usually cob or small horse size so bought small horse and it fits ok. On last hole under his head though so only just big enough. Pete seems to prefer the flash arrangement to a drop noseband, grackle or traditional flash. Yes tried all other permutations including bigger browband! Not sure the clips help us but may try them again, have tried them once and taken them off for now. Great schooling session yesterday :-)
 
I have noticed absolutely no difference what so ever compared to riding him in a cavason so I don't bother using it anymore... luckily I picked mine up when a tack shop was closing down so only spent £40 on it otherwise I would have been very annoyed! It is good for lunging though I must say :)
 
We have had great success with the Micklem on a very difficult , fussy mouthed ex show horse,very sharp. He competes to a high level in dressage [ too nuts to do much else!] and this bridle persuaded him to accept the bit nicely. We dont 'do' flashes etc , and horsey, with us, has only been in a cavesson and various mild snaffles.OH s dressage trainer suggested a Micklem and it settled horsey in his mouth straight away. Now horse will accept 'ordianry' bridle also, but now working on acceptance with a double bridle for advanced medium...
 
I think the mono comfort padded headpiece is a great feature, so not only the noseband arrangement and ease of cleaning. I also like the jaw strap, which at least serves a purpose as a cradle for the jaw rather than a flappy throat lash. I have 3 of these bridles now for my horses as I really think they are excellent. They won't turn a mediocre horse into a GP superstar, but the comfort design is in my opinion well worth paying for :)
 
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For longer bit straps (for a bit with very small rings) a couple of flash straps cut off and holes punched does the job and looks OK
 
My mare has a standard horse competition bridle and she's a large cob/small full size (Connemara head - so tiny nose but wide forehead - I've swapped the browband as it wasn't long enough, but other than that it fits her great). I think I've read before that the competition bridle is made from nicer quality leather, however as I ordered mine from a tack shop who wasn't totally sure what it was, I couldn't exactly ask what they thought the difference was... I was just lucky to get it in the correct size etc I think!

Personally, it sits in my tack locker gathering dust as it did nothing for my mare. I also think she looks more aesthetically pleasing with a traditional bridle on too. However, having just bought a new horse, I plan to try it on her when she's more established.
 
Sorry... didn't read all replys...

Try "hire a micklem" in Google. Very helpful, with sizing etc. They hire you the bridle on a 2 wks trial and if you don't like it, you can return it. You pay for the bridle, and as long as it is returned cleaned and undamaged, she refunds you minus the £15 hire fee... I didn't return mine, I love it!! Its easy to fit (send a pic to the lady of it on your horse, and she will tell you if it needs adjusting) and no way near as complicated as to put back together if you dismantle to clean!!

I got it because I like the theory behind it. My boy had no "issues", but seems happy in it, and I did actually notice he is lighter and doesn't rub after riding.

Go for it, no more expensive than a decent branded bridle, and worth every penny!!

And both are competition legal now by the way :)
 
Lippyx said:
Sorry... didn't read all replys...

Try "hire a micklem" in Google. Very helpful, with sizing etc. They hire you the bridle on a 2 wks trial and if you don't like it, you can return it. You pay for the bridle, and as long as it is returned cleaned and undamaged, she refunds you minus the £15 hire fee... I didn't return mine, I love it!! Its easy to fit (send a pic to the lady of it on your horse, and she will tell you if it needs adjusting) and no way near as complicated as to put back together if you dismantle to clean!!

I got it because I like the theory behind it. My boy had no "issues", but seems happy in it, and I did actually notice he is lighter and doesn't rub after riding.

Go for it, no more expensive than a decent branded bridle, and worth every penny!!

And both are competition legal now by the way :)
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Thank you, thats very helpful :)
 
Opening an older thread up.

I have a horse with possible trigeminal nerve damage. Any thoughts on a micklem for this problem.
 
FreshandMinty said:
would love to hear if any of you who get on so brilliantly with the mickelm tried a simple drop noseband and a bigger size browband on a normal bridle also?
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Yep i did! Browband was looser on her old bridle with the drop also. The Micklem helps give a stability in the mouth with the way the bi is held and positioned which my mare loves as she has a huuuge tongue in a smallish mouth.

Totally love my micklem, its been worth every penny. I have the competition version as I don't ride bitless and think it looks better with out the ring on the nose! Plus I hardly ever lunge I prefer to ride
 
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