Micklem multibridle vs competition

[EternalVetBills]

Hi guys,

WARNING: I tend to ramble so please feel free to skip anything the starts to put you to sleep.

I am currently in the middle of backing my four year old gelding and have decided it's timeto start introducing a bridle and bit into his ridden work (so far I have been riding him in a Dually halter). I have seen the Micklem and would be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued, so am going to give it a try as he is a very sensitive little fella.
My only concern is that if I buy the multibridle I will then have to go out and buy the competition bridle in a years time when I want to compete (I am looking into a dressage carer for him) which I don't want to do, so thought I might just buy the competition bridle. At the same time though I would still like to have the option to ride bitless and really like the idea of the bit clips which I'm not sure that the competition bridle has.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you go around it?
Any advice will be most appreciated, but please no nasty comments about the fact that I use natural horsemanship and ride in a Dually.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give

 

[PaulnasherryRocky]

I have had a look at both of these bridles and have to say the quality of the leather on the competition bridle is so much better than the multi-bridle. The multi-bridle was very plasticy and cheap looking whereas the competition one looks and feels lovely (I've got one for Christmas!)

Could you get the competition one and a separate bitless bridle/carry on using your dually when you fancy a bitless ride?

 

[Bede]

The multibridle comes with more bitless options and a ring on the front for lunging, otherwise they are the same.
You can still ride bitless in a competition bridle, and you can compete in a multibridle. The competition bridle does have clips but they can't be used when competing ( except I suppose at unaff competitions with no rules on tack)

 

[Elsbells]

Morning!
I ride my established mare in the Micklem competition bridle as she seemed uncomfortable in a conventional bridle, even an Elevator and complained a lot! It avoids all the sensitive areas of the face such as where the nerves surface under the skin. It has made a massive difference to her and our rides and she's happy to be bridled and I don't get the usual nonsense head rubbing etc any more.

But tbh, if she'd been happy in a regular bridle, then that's what I'd be using and if you want to do dressage it can get complicated with regard to the rules with the use of the clips etc. its a popular bridle and I've seen it used even at Events but unless your horse needs it I'd try a regular cavesson to start with.

 

[rara007]

You can compete in the multi bridle

 

[EternalVetBills]

I have had a look at both of these bridles and have to say the quality of the leather on the competition bridle is so much better than the multi-bridle. The multi-bridle was very plasticy and cheap looking whereas the competition one looks and feels lovely (I've got one for Christmas!)

Could you get the competition one and a separate bitless bridle/carry on using your dually when you fancy a bitless ride?

Thanks I didn't even give a thought as to whether one would be better quality than the other and his face rubs easily so that is defiantly one the biggest problems I will have (I already have to be careful with his head collars). I suppose I could use the Dually when I want to ride bitless but I'm a spoiled brat a like nice shiny leather. Lol.

The multibridle comes with more bitless options and a ring on the front for lunging, otherwise they are the same.
You can still ride bitless in a competition bridle, and you can compete in a multibridle. The competition bridle does have clips but they can't be used when competing ( except I suppose at unaff competitions with no rules on tack)

Thank you Bede I have just been told about being able to use the mild bitless option with the competition bridle and that will most likely be the best option for him. I also didn't realize that the competition bridle came with bit clips so I think for sure I will be getting that one as it's cheaper.

Thanks again to all of you.

 

[Scarlett]

I compete in my multibridle - the only thing you can't do is compete affiliated dressage whilst using the bit clips or bitless - you don't need a comp bridle to compete. The comp bridle is just a bit smarter. There are no restrictions on using the bridle jumping.

 

[lula]

I have had a look at both of these bridles and have to say the quality of the leather on the competition bridle is so much better than the multi-bridle. The multi-bridle was very plasticy and cheap looking whereas the competition one looks and feels lovely (I've got one for Christmas!)

I have heard this said before regarding the quality of leather in the training multi bridle and i wonder if there was a bad batch somewhere as i AM fussy and im more than happy with the quality of leather on my havana multi bridle. The reason i bought this model rather than the competition one was with a 4yr old youngster myself i liked the nose ring which meant i could lunge from it without faffing around with a cavesson underneath and a bridle on top. With a 4yr old i didnt want to always lunge off the bit so i have found this very useful.