Micklem bridles, tell me all!

[teddy_]

I appreciate this has probably been done to death but, please can people tell me about their Micklem bridle experiences. The good, the bad and the ugly .

Also, comments on leather quality would be great.

I know there is no shortage of 'anatomical' bridles out there, but seeing as the Micklem is where it all started, thought it was only fair to give it a crack of the whip.

Currently horse hunting which also means tack purchasing hence my interest...

 

[dixie]

They’re a marmite bridle!
I quite like them. I’ve been using one currently on my horse which has helped him with bitting issues we’ve had.
They don’t suit all horses though. Think they look better on a chunkier face.
I’ve had mine for about 10yrs I think and its still Going strong. Not the best leather but not the worst either.

 

[Equi]

I like mine it’s worked very well on both horses I’ve had it on, they both ride nicely in it but I’m not convinced they wouldn’t go just as nicely in a normal bridle - but I’m not going to buy another one to test the theory lol

The leather is meh..it does the job. The reins are not worth getting.

 

[atropa]

I have a Micklem on two of mine.

#1 tried it for a mare who is very sensitive, used to scratch a lot after removed her cavesson bridle. Thought it was a bit of a gimmick before I tried it but actually massively improved her way of going, much steadier into the contact, lovely shape, completely transformed us as a combination.
#2 was forced into using a anatomical bridle after my mare was kicked in the jaw and it left a massive scar where her cavesson would have sat. Didn't really make any difference to her way of going.

Leather quality not great but serviceable for work bridles. Definitely buy them second hand if you're unsure.

 

[McGrools]

I think they are a great addition to your tack room. I have found them very useful ?

 

[ycbm]

I have two. I like them because I think they are a very sensible design. I use them without the bottom nose strap on horses which don't need it, they work fine that way for people who don't want to strap the mouth closed.

Leather quality on one is shameful for the price, on the other is better but still nothing to write home about.

 

[Annagain]

My old boy loved it, it made a huge difference to him. My new boy seemed to like it at first but soon went off it. He’s now in a Horsemanship Saddlery Saturn bridle and like a different horse.

While Micklems are quite good in design, they’re not the best leather, especially the newer ones. An older well looked after one would be my choice if I was buying one. As it happens I have one I’d be happy to sell as new boy won’t wear it again.

 

[McFluff]

I had one for my mare, it really worked for her, and the leather on mine was good (better than more expensive bridles I’ve had!).
My gelding really didn’t like it. It just wouldn’t sit right on him. I’d still try it on a new horse though as when it fits well, it’s a nice bit of kit.

 

[shortstuff99]

The leather on mine has been great, and I don't treat it that nicely. My mare really likes it. I haven't taken the bottom strap off but I have it pretty loose.

 

[criso]

The leather on mine is ok but I only paid half price at a Sports direct sale. The noseband strap stretched a little and he was unhappy until I tightened it, not tight but not loose either. Certainly doesn't get in the way of mid hack snacking.

They don’t suit all horses though. Think they look better on a chunkier face.
.

I think the tb would like to disagree with you, he thinks he carries it off really well.




That first picture does remind me of one problem. I had to get saddlecloth numbers as bridle numbers sat too close to his eyes for me.

 

[Cowpony]

Mine hated it! Luckily I'd borrowed one rather than buying. I didn't even ride in it as she made her feelings very clear. She gave a huge sigh when I took it off.

 

[Cragrat]

I trialled the multibridle not long after they came out, many years ago, and bought 2 straight away, because both horses went noticeably better in them. Also the clips were hugely useful for a while for one horse, until he learned that XC didn't have to be a 90mph . Transfering some of the pressure to his nose removed much of the fight and head fling. One bridle is still is going strong, and still looks good , the other is no longer in use as the horse is no longer with us. I bought the competion bridle a few years ago for a different horse - the leather is definitely nicer.

The lower strap iis designed to stabilise the bit, not to be used to strap the mouth shut. I have it loose enough that they can still graze.

The sizing can be wierd - I had to mix and match the bit straps to get a nice fit.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

It damaged a friend's horse. He started getting rubs on the inside of his gums so she got the vet out and the first thing he asked was if she had a micklam bridle.

He has seen alot of this and other types of damage from these where they don't fit all head shapes.

She even sent pictures back the head office and they agreed it was in the right place and fine for him.

I much prefer the horsemanship Saddlery bridles.

 

[vmac66]

My mare hated it. Refused to go forward. Swapped back to her normal bridle she was fine.

 

[rextherobber]

I have the Micklem competition bridle, the leather is beyond horrible and nothing you treat it with seems to improve it. It is quite a faff to fit correctly and there are no noseband options ( apart from taking the chin strap off). Horse was better in it for a while, then, as the post above said, it wore off. Now in a Horsemanship Saddlery bridle and much happier. They are lovely leather and you can mix and match the sizes to get the perfect fit. I wouldn't buy the Micklem again.

 

[ycbm]

The lower strap iis designed to stabilise the bit, not to be used to strap the mouth shut.

It's designed to prevent the horse from opening its mouth as wide as it might choose to equally as much as it was ever designed to stabilise the bit. I've used it to prevent a young horse from constantly opening his mouth, against my own wishes but it was a last resort. On the same horse it now hangs loose and I'm about to cut it off again. There are plenty of people using it and other forms of dropped strap to prevent horses from opening their mouths wide. For some reason some people take very badly to that being worded as "tie the mouth shut", but for me it's the same thing.

 

[ycbm]

My mare hated it. Refused to go forward. Swapped back to her normal bridle she was fine.

Just out of interest I've had this happen often if I add a drop strap to a horse who hasn't worn one before. Was your horse used to a flash, drop, or grackle noseband already?

 

[littleshetland]

Mine hated it. Put his trusty old one back on and he was fine. Ended up selling my Micklem.

 

[criso]

Both my tbs have hated cavessons no matter how loose. 1st i switched to a drop, much happier horse. The reason i got a micklem for my current one was sizing issues with a traditional bridle. I saw micklens for sale half price and tried it. I didn't want to have to pay for a made to measure bridle.

 

[Gloi]

I've been riding pony in a Micklem for ages and he is fine in it except he sometimes wants to rub his nose on his leg. The other day he did that and the chin strap snapped. I took it off and he prefers the bridle without it. Just wondered if it was dressage legal without it. (Not that we are going in near future)

 

[spacefaer]

I think they're hideous and it would put me off viewing a horse for sale.
I've seen very few horses genuinely improved by wearing one, but I have noticed they do seem to be able to stabilise the effect of an unbalanced rider's hands.