Micklem bridle

I use one. It's made a massive difference to my mare, she's had it for about a year and a half now. I have tried it on a couple of other horses and from what
 
Yes don't use anything else now. One horse took a long time to settle to it but he was a headshaker, he is fine now , it took a year but was unrideable for more than ten minutes before. So I suppose I am saying don't give up if it seems to make no difference initially. All much easier in their mouths and going in snaffles even if in strong bits before.
 
kzb said:
I use one. It's made a massive difference to my mare, she's had it for about a year and a half now. I have tried it on a couple of other horses and from what
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Sorry I pressed post accidentally. From what I've experienced it seems to work best on those that are a little fussy in the contact and don't like to work forwards into the bridle, but it works on lots of different types of horses with different issues.
 
One mare or made no difference. Current mare is totally different to ride in it. Before I tried every combination of bitand noseband, settled on a kimblewick, grackle. And draw reins, she used to cut her mouth she was so strong. Used to run with her head up was super sensitive to the rein yet increadibly strong. I'd also tried loose ring snaffle nathes and no noseband before anyone jumps on me!

Whilst wracking my brains one night, having had everything checked and changed I realised I hadn't changed the whole bridle, we'd tried nosebands, comfort bridles etc but not the micklem.
First noticed she was immediately comfortable with me putting it on. She has scarring behind her poll and the headpiece doesn't sit on it like other bridles. I went back to a loose ring snaffle with it and she was calm and responsive to ride. It took her about a good week of riding to settle into it. She now takes the bit but is tentitive at the beginning. Not surprising really. I now won't use anything else with her. She's shown me she's happy by being able to hack, school and jump in a loose ring snaffle.

Worth a go, they hold their value pretty well in eBay.
 
Thanks for your reply. Think I am going to try as my boy very fussy in mouth and getting tongue over bit so really not happy about something. Mouth etc been checked.
 
Yes, its awesome! My mare is quite thick through her jowl and fussy in the contact. Bought a Micklem 2nd hand and havent looked back, even when she managed to stand on her reins and break it I took it to the tack shop to be mended and bought another one to use in the meantime !
 
We have one for the pony. I settled on it due to the simplicity of it and the fact it can be 3 things in one - and also the option to use the bit clips to stop DD yanking the reins (although she has the opposite problem and wont pull them!).

There have been reports of the leather being hard...it was, just like any other new bridle, but some oil (i used veg) and some home made leather feed and its nice and supple.
It sits nice and far back at the ears. The only issue I have is that Pony has a dishy face so

The only thing I dont like is the fact that if you have a small pony, and use the pony one its often on the last hole, and you end up with a lot of strap NOT in a keeper as the second ones are stitched in place, below the first ones stitched in place.

As you can see here: https://scontent-vie.xx.fbcdn.net/h...=843f935f70cd3f7210a894694abf65ce&oe=55DEAA32
 
theoilbaron said:
Do most people use the bit clips or not? Thinking I will need to because my boy doesn't like tongue pressure?
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No I haven't used the bit clips, but I am competing my mare, so not really worth even introducing them. Personally I would try it without the bit clips, unless you are quite unsteady in your hands. It seems to me that the bit clips would be useful for unsteady hands, but I think you will lose some of your communication by using them.
 
kzb said:
Sorry I pressed post accidentally. From what I've experienced it seems to work best on those that are a little fussy in the contact and don't like to work forwards into the bridle, but it works on lots of different types of horses with different issues.
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You've described my mate perfectly. She goes great in the Micklem, is much more comfortable and it's great after all the heartache to sit there on the buckle end on an evenings hack and just listen to her sucking on the bit like a baby!
 
I was at an ex racehorse Biomechanics clinic this week. There were 10 of us and I was the only one not in a Micklem. My boy has issues with opening his mouth a lot whilst working in. I am tempted to try one as the instructor who had done some research on bridles was in favour of them.
 
Been watching this thread with interest, would like to try one but heard the sizing and fitting can be tricky? Horse has broad forehead but narrow in the muzzle so I've always had to mix and match with full,cob and pony sizes for various bits of current bridle!
 
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