micklem bridles - thoughts? comments?

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Tim's Girl

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I'm thinking of getting a micklem bridle for my tb. Does anyone have any experience of using them? are they better than standard bridles? any thoughts or comments appreciated. thanks
 
They are amazing bridles and worth every penny. If you want to compete in it, make sure you buy the competition bridle as that one is FEI legal and can be used in all events, un-affiliated and affiliated. They give you much more control and I find that the horses are much more comfortable in them as they are made to fit the shape of the skull. However, not all horses get along with them, so it is worth trying one out first. I was lucky and my instructor let me borrow hers but I have had a few friends use http://www.hireamicklembridle.co.uk/ and they say the service is amazing. I think you pay for the bridle in full and then you can use it for one or two weeks and if the horse doesn't get along with it you send it back and get a full refund minus about £15 for the hire. Well worth trying and can't recommend the bridles enough!
 
Tbh I don't see a massive difference between a micklem and a drop noseband bridle? The removal of the throat lash should surely make no difference since it should be fitted with 4 fingers space between. The only thing I can see that would be different would be how the bit is suspended in the mouth with the micklem. I'd like to try out my standard hanging cheek and drop combo and a micklem to see if there is any difference, but I don't think there would be
 
I have a question about the fit and shape if the OP doesn't mind me jumping in.

I have a tb that doesn't fit a standard size bridle. His head in quite short and tapers down to a small muzzle. Almost araby in proportions but on a bigger scale. So in a standard bridle he currently has a full size headpiece and browband but cob size cheekpieces. How adjustable are they or would I be able to mix and match?
 
I think they can be fab, but I know from chatting to some DR judges that when they see horses going in a Micklem, they watch out for contact problems, so it can highlight your problems in a competition environment!

I've also known a few horses go much better in a Micklem because their teeth weren't right and so the contact was an issue - much cheaper to sort the teeth out, and solves the root of the problem.

For the occasional truly contact fussy horse they are a godsend, otherwise I personally don't see the point in one. Plus I've seen a few with very shocking leather quality for the money you pay...
 
i have one bt found my gelding didnt seem to like the flash effect of the noseband (he doesnt use a flash on a normal bridle) so i have stopped using it for now. Going to try using it bitless though.

I did however notice another company has brought out a very very similar style bridle at a fraction of the price. I will see if i can find it again.
 
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Paint Me Proud said:
i have one bt found my gelding didnt seem to like the flash effect of the noseband (he doesnt use a flash on a normal bridle) so i have stopped using it for now. Going to try using it bitless though.

I did however notice another company has brought out a very very similar style bridle at a fraction of the price. I will see if i can find it again.
Click to expand...
This one?
http://www.nagsessentials.co.uk/products/2-in-1-Norton-Bridle-{47}-Headcollar-Bridle-BROWN-.html

ETA. I have one, and although my lad hates a drop, and doesn't really need anything to "shut his mouth", he seens to go very nicely in his, although the drop strap is done up loosely anyway.
I can't say that I've particularly noticed him being much happier than in a normal bridle, but we don't do a lot of schooling, and I suspect that is where you would really notice a difference in going. I know a couple of people who have them and the difference acceptance is great apparently.
 
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LucyLee said:
They are amazing bridles and worth every penny. If you want to compete in it, make sure you buy the competition bridle as that one is FEI legal and can be used in all events, un-affiliated and affiliated. They give you much more control and I find that the horses are much more comfortable in them as they are made to fit the shape of the skull. However, not all horses get along with them, so it is worth trying one out first. I was lucky and my instructor let me borrow hers but I have had a few friends use http://www.hireamicklembridle.co.uk/ and they say the service is amazing. I think you pay for the bridle in full and then you can use it for one or two weeks and if the horse doesn't get along with it you send it back and get a full refund minus about £15 for the hire. Well worth trying and can't recommend the bridles enough!
Click to expand...

The Multibridle version is competition legal too as long as you don't use the bit clips. It's the use of the clips that isn't allowed, and that's only in the dressage arena, you can use the Multibride with clips or bitless to jump/xc etc.
 
criso said:
I have a question about the fit and shape if the OP doesn't mind me jumping in.

I have a tb that doesn't fit a standard size bridle. His head in quite short and tapers down to a small muzzle. Almost araby in proportions but on a bigger scale. So in a standard bridle he currently has a full size headpiece and browband but cob size cheekpieces. How adjustable are they or would I be able to mix and match?
Click to expand...

My TB's are the same. They wear a Standard horse size Micklem and I put another hole in the noseband strap to make it sit snugly. The small horse Micklem was too small around the ears/cheeks.

I love my multibridle, it makes a difference in how both my geldings go, I like the ability to use it bitless and the ring for lunging. An excellent bit of kit, I'm currently shopping for another one for my contact fussy mare.
 
Scarlett do your TBs fit a normal full? My other who has a refined head fits a full with a few extra holes punched here and there, but this new one is really quite extreme. He definitely needed cob cheekpieces.
 
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