Size of Cheek Pieces and Bridles

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LansdownK310

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I purchased a bridle at the weekend for my new horse. She’s a full size head, her headcollar which is full size is very roomy on the second hole from the top. However when I put the new bridle on, I was verging towards the last holes on the cheek pieces and the noseband was the same. I measured them and they were 10” but cannot find what the standard size is for a full size bridle. I went round the tack room measuring an assortment of bridles and they seemed to range from 10” to 12” – have I ended up with Cob size cheek pieces or are bridles these days smaller?
 
no idea but ive been having a night mare to get a bridle to fit my baby! noseband/throte lash/browband he is full sized but cheek pieces he needs shorter than what is on the fs bridle. arggg !

i think bridle have got like clothes there really is no size guide anymore! i bought 2 pairs of jeans from same shop same size but there was about 3 inches difference in the actual size! again grrr
 
Stinky needs a full sized bridle but with cob sized cheek pieces and Farra needs an extra full but with full sized cheek pieces as they have broad but short heads. Hence I get my bridles from Flyde where he will do this for me so I get a perfect fit.
 
Well clearly I have horses with odd-sized heads too as I'm finding it difficult to find something standard that fits well in all areas.

If you can be faffed, you can buy individual components and piece together your own custom bridle... places like Risley Saddlery....

http://www.risleysaddlery.co.uk/catalogue/bridles-headcollars

I think even the Robinsons catalogue has individual bridle parts for Sabre or something beginning with S.... although don't quote me on that :o (granny-brain can't remember!!)

Tis a pain in the butt though.....
 
Bridle brands seem to be the same as clothes brands for us - some are more generous than others in different areas! My mare has a normal looking head, but takes cob cheek pieces, full headpiece, extra full browband and noseband, but cob sized hangers on the noseband!
Lots of places let you buy the components individuals (Jefferies and Kate Negus spring to mind) and they will let you have the measurements so you can make sure you get something that fits perfectly!
 
Thanks, yes having bought a "cheap" off the peg bridle I suppose I shouldnt be suprised but glad it's not a one-off... more shopping for me :)
 
It is a nightmare! When I got my mare her first one I totally expected to just get a full sized and it would fit, whoops!! I have sinced trained and now make hers myself, problem sorted (though admittidly it was rather more of a long term solution!!).
 
Bridles are a pain in the rear end.

Current horse is in a cob sized bridle with full size noseband which isn't too bad as I had to get a new noseband anyway as everything comes with a flash nowadays!
 
jhoward said:
no idea but ive been having a night mare to get a bridle to fit my baby! noseband/throte lash/browband he is full sized but cheek pieces he needs shorter than what is on the fs bridle. arggg !

i think bridle have got like clothes there really is no size guide anymore! i bought 2 pairs of jeans from same shop same size but there was about 3 inches difference in the actual size! again grrr
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This is right, each manufacturer or saddler who makes bridlework may have his or her own ideas of measurements and what fits what, no two saddlers can ever agree which is right, believe me!
I have several sets of written measurements in books and from written work/charts when I trained 24 years ago for pony,cob, full etc and they are all different. I was making a Section A bridle a few years ago, none of the measurements I had were right, so I ended up measuring the pony and making one up that way. At least I could get it right with all the buckles lined up with the ponies eye which is where they should be, I see so many cheeks, throatlashes and noseband cheeks too long, right up to the top hole on the headpiece on headstap as in the noseband.
Probably due to people buying say a full size and needing cob or even pony in some cases, cheeks etc.
Oz :)
 
I've got one in a full sized bridle with cob cheek pieces, and another in a full sized head piece, cob cheek pieces and extra full brow and noseband!
 
unicornleather said:
This is right, each manufacturer or saddler who makes bridlework may have his or her own ideas of measurements and what fits what, no two saddlers can ever agree which is right, believe me!
I have several sets of written measurements in books and from written work/charts when I trained 24 years ago for pony,cob, full etc and they are all different. I was making a Section A bridle a few years ago, none of the measurements I had were right, so I ended up measuring the pony and making one up that way. At least I could get it right with all the buckles lined up with the ponies eye which is where they should be, I see so many cheeks, throatlashes and noseband cheeks too long, right up to the top hole on the headpiece on headstap as in the noseband.
Probably due to people buying say a full size and needing cob or even pony in some cases, cheeks etc.
Oz :)
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Thanks for the insight Oz! I'll actually measure my horse properly and see if I can make one up or find one that suits...
 
LansdownK310 said:
Thanks for the insight Oz! I'll actually measure my horse properly and see if I can make one up or find one that suits...
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Good luck, make sure you use the same brand as chances are they used the same batch of hide, or at the very least the leather is all from the same tannery!
Every hide can vary so buying 2 different makes may give you a odd looking bridle (colour wise that is) even some blacks can vary!
I bought in 2 hides (Australian Nut) from 2 different suppliers, they were so different I had to go to the first supplier to get another flippin hide to match before I could finish making up a batch of bridles, SO damn expensive and I didn't make any profit at all as it was all swallowed up paying the bill for the leather!!

Oz :)
 
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I have been in touch with several of the main bridle makers complaining about the length of cheek pieces - they are about 2 inches to long and generally only fit on either the top hole or the second from top which is no good because any leather stretches.

I was taught that correctly fitted bridle should have the cheek pieces and noseband cheeks should be on the middle hole. No chance of that with modern bridles!

I would be interested in having the backing of people who have had this problem.
 
I usually have to piece together bridles as Hattie needs a full brow band and crown, cob nose band and pony size cheek pieces despite being a 15.3 TB! I find a Barnsby cob sized bridles the best for her though although the nose bands on them still come up a little large. I'm forever bringing things into my saddler for him to shorten.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
I have been in touch with several of the main bridle makers complaining about the length of cheek pieces - they are about 2 inches to long and generally only fit on either the top hole or the second from top which is no good because any leather stretches.

I was taught that correctly fitted bridle should have the cheek pieces and noseband cheeks should be on the middle hole. No chance of that with modern bridles!

I would be interested in having the backing of people who have had this problem.
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You are correct, on the middle holes and buckles lined up with the eye, Oz
 
I have same problem with cob size bridles for two 14hh NF ponies. Cheek pieces too long, noseband width about right but the length over the head too long so has to be fastened on the highest hole and then the buckles are right up at the browband. Replacement parts ie shorter cheek pieces £30+ per pair. If you can find a local saddler/ leather worker it's cheaper to have pieces shortened to get the optimum fit.
 
horserugsnot4u said:
I have same problem with cob size bridles for two 14hh NF ponies. Cheek pieces too long, noseband width about right but the length over the head too long so has to be fastened on the highest hole and then the buckles are right up at the browband. Replacement parts ie shorter cheek pieces £30+ per pair. If you can find a local saddler/ leather worker it's cheaper to have pieces shortened to get the optimum fit.
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Yes, it costs £4.50 per buckle to be shortened, alot cheaper than buying new cheeks, Oz :)
 
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