What brand is your bridle?

O

Obilicious

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 August 2011
Messages
135
Visit site
I am looking into getting a new bridle and I have no idea whether to get a branded bridle or not / English leather or not etc. Also I know a lot of people discuss the brands of their saddles but I've never really heard people discuss brand of bridles which makes me wonder if most people buy unbranded bridles and branded saddles? Not sure if this all makes sense- it does in my head :P
 
Heritage had it about 7 years and still looks new with minimal effort. My next purchase will be one from englishbridles.co.uk got a lovely stud girth from them at Hickstead.
 
Mainly Sabre, all bought secondhand from ebay and varying from looking brand new to certainly seen a bit of action. I also have Stubben CTD and am pretty disappointed with it.
 
lots of threads if you do a search :D

I have a sabre cordoba, love it muchly.. ive just ordered another sabre bridle cos every horse needs 2, right? :D
 
Oldbridge184_zps99811950.jpg


I like this one......
 
I have a GFS one that has done about 10 years atleast so far and still cleans up like new. Very pleased with it. Although I think I will also be investing in a new one in the near future or atlease until the stitching goes on mine (Only bought it for 70 quid too ! - Bargain !)
 
I have a very old sabre, it's aged beautifully and the leather is lovely quality. It still cleans up like new. My friend has a nice GFS bridle that has lasted really well too.
 
I have various ones

a Townend comfort bridle, the reins are lovely, the rest looks the part, it was expensive but I dont really like it much
An unbranded cheapy english leather bridle which is on its last legs but fits well and does a good job
A Morris and Nolan one which I love and just look at rather than use lol
A handmade made to measure bridle by a good saddler which I love but despite being MtoM is a little too big so will pass to my larger pony - the quality is awesome and it was only £50

So no I dont think a bridle has to be branded but I do think you need to love it!

My next bridle will be an inhand one from English Bridles I think - their stuff is lovely
 
I have a couple of old Kieffers that are still going strong and I would definitely buy one again. I also have a Stubben CTD and I was very pleased with it at first, but it's not lasting as well as the Stubben (not CTD) martingale I have.
 
Collegiate leather, plus a red convertible endurance one in beta biothane. Handy but not sure they are a great fit and don't hold the bit still.
 
Have a really nice Keiffer that we bought over 3 years ago at Windsor, and this always comes up lovely with just a quick wipe over, really pleased with it. The other is a cheapie Collegiate from Equestrian Clearance. Always looks like it needs a clean even when you have just cleaned it, and it just doesn't compare.
 
I have a Jefferies bridle that is about 20 years old, used everyday both on my old horse and my present one and still going strong. The leather always comes up beautifully even after a deluge.
 
Oakfield Saddlery own make. English learher. Really nice :-) Mixed and matched for me, very reasonable price would definitely buy another one
 
Last edited:
I've got a John Whitaker bridle with an English noseband. I love my bridle, had it before I even brought the horse, lol :p

And if we are ever dragged kicking and screaming to a comp we use a black English leather bridle.
 
I have several but mainly used a Collegiate as I liked the tone on the havana until I was given a GFS that matches my saddle. I also use Renapur to clean them so they stay in top condition.
 
Jeffries because the quality is so damn good & you can get separate pieces to mix and match. Currently using a micklem but the quality is not fab :(
 
I have an Evison bridle, an Albion KB, a Wolds exclusive bling bridle, and then a couple of mixed bridle parts of different makes ranging from sabre and stubben to requisite! I'm not bothered about make and won't pay £250 for a branded one - my Albion was a bargain from a shop closing down. Tbh I have better quality and cheaper bridles from saddler sown makes. I check leather quality and stitching and that's all I worry about
 
Oh dear im now going to look bad...............

1- Work bridle GFS bought at the same time as horse (13yrs) still going strong. Black
2- Show Snaffle bridle Equiport (an original rolled bridle!) Black
3- Show double bridle Rhinegold, Rolled and brown
4- Lunge bridle Uber old even had head piece repaired on it when a pony from years ago broke it!
5- Pony old SJ bridle, black with white stitching, pyramid silver clenchers on noseband and brownband, Jefferies made to order- can bring myself to get rid of
6- Spare clip bridle- used to have with me when I worked on the SJ yards

Then about a million pieces of extras, nosebands short cheek pieces etc etc etc

Really depends what you are going to use it for! :)
 
Loveson, bought about 7 years ago, and still going strong. I was told recently that you can tell a good quality leather by the depth of the platforms (on the cheek pieces). I have two very different bridles, one cheap and one good value (Loveson), the cheap one has thin platforms that don't tag through to underneath where the bit sits, when that goes I won't be having that one fixed, it's clearly poor quality leather.
The loveson, has good thick platforms which tag out to under where the bit is attached, I recently had a repair made, as they apparently are machine stitched, which isn't the best way, it weakens the bridle. Hand stitched is best. However, the current Lovesons and many current british made bridles (and I say that loosely) are not the same quality, as since the foot and mouth epidemic, the quality of true English leather has become too thin to make decent bridles. The cows are killed too young to create the good tough hides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top