Should a bridle stretch?

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igglepop

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Earlier in the year i had a saddler make a bridle for my horse as I'm fussy about having buckles level. Since receiving it the cheek pieces have had to be re made and the rest of it has stretched by at least one hole and is now uneven, the nose band also gapes. I had the saddler out again to see it and she said you "expect good quality leather to stretch" to stretch and if it does anymore to let her know and she will see what she can do. I am now left with a ill fitting bridle and i am unsure of what to do next. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
That's ridiculous. Good quality leather doesn't stretch, but poor quality does! A bridle will have minimal pressure exerted on the headpiece/cheekpieces anyway, unless you have a gag bit or have the cheekpieces so short the bit is jammed up against the back teeth (unacceptable IMO but I've known some who do). Things like shaped headpieces and padded polls should be unnecessary IMO, the bridle should not be under enough pressure to cause the horse to need them. Nosebands (even a simple cavesson noseband) may be put under pressure from a horse trying to open its mouth, but if this made them stretch it would completely defeat the purpose of their existence! I'd demand a refund OP.

Jeffries sell brides made in individual pieces so you can get the correct size parts for your horse. I've got one with an extra full size headpiece and noseband, full size browband and cob size cheekpieces. The leather is good quality and I bought it through Ride Away mail order.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
That's ridiculous. Good quality leather doesn't stretch, but poor quality does! A bridle will have minimal pressure exerted on the headpiece/cheekpieces anyway, unless you have a gag bit or have the cheekpieces so short the bit is jammed up against the back teeth (unacceptable IMO but I've known some who do). Things like shaped headpieces and padded polls should be unnecessary IMO, the bridle should not be under enough pressure to cause the horse to need them. Nosebands (even a simple cavesson noseband) may be put under pressure from a horse trying to open its mouth, but if this made them stretch it would completely defeat the purpose of their existence! I'd demand a refund OP.
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Totally agree. The cheekpieces especially shouldn't really be under any significant pressure, and as for the noseband, even if the horse was trying to open its mouth against it, it shouldn't be able to stretch it.
Sounds like you've been sold a pup. I'd be after a refund.
 
All leather stretches to some extent and it stretches a lot more if it's over oiled.

Whether yours has stretched unacceptably is a question of how it's been cleaned, stored and what level of leverage your bit has and how you use the bit. I, for example, have a hard pulling horse who I hunt in a Pelham, and what with rain, sweat and him pulling, I would expect any new leather bridle to have to be adjusted after some use.
 
cptrayes said:
All leather stretches to some extent and it stretches a lot more if it's over oiled.

Whether yours has stretched unacceptably is a question of how it's been cleaned, stored and what level of leverage your bit has and how you use the bit. I, for example, have a hard pulling horse who I hunt in a Pelham, and what with rain, sweat and him pulling, I would expect any new leather bridle to have to be adjusted after some use.
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This is true, ALL leather even 5mm best quality bridle butt leather will stretch to some extent.
Apart from what cptrayes has pointed out other reasons include the trend these days to use 3.5mm -4mm thick bridle butt instead of 5mm to make a more refined pliable bridle. I see some painfully thin hide being used which hasn't got the substance and strength of the more traditional 5mm.
5mm makes a chunkier looking bridle, no doubt about it but it it SO much safer and stronger and will hardly stretch at all depending on use and bitting arrangements of course.
Also, straps tend to be a lot narrower then they used to be, which again allows hide to stretch.
Oz (Saddler)
 
Thanks for the replies. My boy is only in a snaffle and not ridden a lot as he is only just backed. It has been cleaned and cared for properly (Wiped after each use and oiled when needed but not many times). I will see if i can get some pictures tomorrow and you can see if you think i am right to be annoyed. I understand nothing stays perfect but it seems excessive after little use.
 
I'm a bridle maker (but nothing like as experienced as cremedemothe) and do not recommend that leather is oiled - a good leather balsam is much more compatible with modern tanning processes (I like Lincoln).
 
pansymouse said:
I'm a bridle maker (but nothing like as experienced as cremedemothe) and do not recommend that leather is oiled - a good leather balsam is much more compatible with modern tanning processes (I like Lincoln).
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How do you rate Ko-Cho-Line? I have always used it with success but find it doesn't seem as popular or as easy to buy as it used to be.
 
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