Those of you who use a Micklem...

[sonjafoers]

... how tight do you do up the 'curb' strap please?

My new Micklem arrived today, I ordered small horse size for my 15.1hh TB on the recommendation of my instructor and I don't think it fits.

The cheek pieces are doing up midway, the 'throatlash' bit is on the last hole and I can get my finger underneath this but the piece that does up under the chin is very tight on the last hole - I can't get a finger underneath it and tbh I didn't want to be doing it up particularly tightly anyway.

My concern is if I send it back for a bigger one the rest of it will be too big but my friend pointed out that bigger horses may have a wider head but not really a longer one so the cheek pieces should do up in roughly the same place in either size and the throatlash and curb straps should be longer.

 

[Vickijay]

I can't answer but I have just ordered a standard horse for my delicate tb as I saw one in small horse in the shop and had the same concern that the nose bit might be too small.

It should of arrived here today so hopefully tomorrow, if you want I can let you know how it fits her! She is normally in a cob sized bridle....

 

[Carefreegirl]

Mine is done up on the 4th hole for the cheek pieces, 4th hole round the throat and noseband 3rd hole when we were pootling about hacking and 4th hole at comps. She's a 16h TB in a standard size micklem.

 

[Cashew]

I use a Micklem on my 15.2hh tb x and bought the standard horse size - was lucky enough to try one first. Did consider the smaller one but my concern was the strap lengths, especially the "throat lash" one which incidentally I fasten quite tightly on hole 3 so with that in mind opted for the standard size and it fits great. Have to add it is a great piece of kit and glad I invested in one.

 

[Marydoll]

I tried std size on my 16.2 tb and sent it back as it was to tight

 

[sonjafoers]

Thanks everybody, I think I will order the standard horse size then and hope the cheek pieces aren't too long. In order to miss the bones in the cheek the noseband did sit a bit lower than in the picture on the bag so I don't really want to go any lower on the cheek pieces.

Should I be able to get my fingers underneath the chin strap? If so the one I have is definately too small.

Vickijay yes please keep me updated although I don't think I have much choice than to send it back for a bigger size. I'm a bit disappointed as I was so excited to try it!

 

[Finnletfoo]

... how tight do you do up the 'curb' strap please?

My new Micklem arrived today, I ordered small horse size for my 15.1hh TB on the recommendation of my instructor and I don't think it fits.

The cheek pieces are doing up midway, the 'throatlash' bit is on the last hole and I can get my finger underneath this but the piece that does up under the chin is very tight on the last hole - I can't get a finger underneath it and tbh I didn't want to be doing it up particularly tightly anyway.

My concern is if I send it back for a bigger one the rest of it will be too big but my friend pointed out that bigger horses may have a wider head but not really a longer one so the cheek pieces should do up in roughly the same place in either size and the throatlash and curb straps should be longer.

Hi,

I hire out Micklem bridles and it does sound that you need the next size up which would be standard. The standard size is longer rather than wider. Hope this is helpful!

 

[Goldenstar]

I have had mine a long time and I know they have changed the sizing since then but just wanted to say it a very useful thing that we use everyday for a variety of different things so when you get the right size I don't think you will regret the purchase.

 

[sonjafoers]

Thanks guys but unfortunately I'm having real problems with the sizing.

I sent the small horse back & got the standard horse, the curb/dropped noseband bit only just does up on the last hole & it's still far too tight. Like you say Finnletfoo I think it's just a bit longer as it definately doesn't seem any wider. I'm going to send it back tomorrow & give up on it.

Perhaps my horse has a strange shaped head but they're clearly not going to fit her

 

[Ladyinred]

Thanks guys but unfortunately I'm having real problems with the sizing.

I sent the small horse back & got the standard horse, the curb/dropped noseband bit only just does up on the last hole & it's still far too tight. Like you say Finnletfoo I think it's just a bit longer as it definately doesn't seem any wider. I'm going to send it back tomorrow & give up on it.

Perhaps my horse has a strange shaped head but they're clearly not going to fit her

Try taking all the measurements you need and asking the supplier if they could measure some of the bridles for you. They may even be willing to put together a mix of sizes to fit your horse. I know the bitless bridle company will do this and expect Micklem would be only too happy to help.