Where have all the cavesson bridles gone?!

I have plain black Shires and Caldene cavessons, both are absolutely fine. My favourite is the Sabre though - lovely soft leather and in XL its perfect for my 4yo giant hunter type beast. The only bridle with enough browband space...its great. And if you buy second hand it'll be nice and supple already.
 
I had the same problem with bridle shopping. I ended up going for the flat padded bridle from English Bridles. I really love it, brilliant for everyday and it cleans up so well for shows. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
 
I often take flash loops for customers - opens up some much choice for them knowing I can take off the loop and make it look like there never was one there. It's a fairly simple job so long as the manufacturers haven't been too liberal with the glue.
 
They simply went out of fashion I'm afraid because people started being lured by gadgets. OP, what size to do need as I'm selling off bits and bobs from my old girl and have a full size black flat cavesson bridle, in fine condition (used but clean and supple), complete with reins which are stitched, not billet hooks and I'm happy to sell for not very much.
 
I stick with Sabre - they aren't the cheapest in the world but I wanted decent quality bridles that didn't have a flash or a crank. I paid around £100 a good few years ago but both of those bridles have been in constant use ever since and are still going strong.

I don't like the way a crank noseband looks and would rather have an open face than one of those :)
 
fatpiggy said:
They simply went out of fashion I'm afraid because people started being lured by gadgets. OP, what size to do need as I'm selling off bits and bobs from my old girl and have a full size black flat cavesson bridle, in fine condition (used but clean and supple), complete with reins which are stitched, not billet hooks and I'm happy to sell for not very much.
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Thank you so much but my girl is cob size x
 
Ebay could be your friend.

I got a really nice worn in but not at all tatty Stubben for around 25 quid a couple of years back, and if anyone's into western tack, (or cowboy boots) Ebay USA has some stunning bargains even taking into account the duties/postage.
 
LibbyL said:
Thank you so much but my girl is cob size x
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It might still fit. My mare was only 15.1hh and most cobs I know have way bigger heads than she did. I had everything on the top hole apart from the cheek pieces where I put an extra hole in as she wore a hanging bit. I can measure for you if you like?
 
windand rain said:
look for Hunter bridles they have removable flash straps wide cavesson nosebands and look lovely on any head
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This. I got my lad a beautiful bridle with a Hunter style noseband, no flash or flash straps. However, because he was testing me out and is quite strong my instructor suggested a grackle would help me not get into a big pulling fight with him. It does work but I hate the damn thing and he has a really large head, I am not sure that the "extra full" is a good fit. I might have to go back to a crank (which is what he came in, hate those too)

Anyway, I digress, apologies. I agree entirely that if you can find a lovely hunter bridle with no flash your horse will look really smart!
 
LibbyL said:
Thanks for the ideas, clearly I haven't been looking hard enough!
Unfortunately I don't have a chunk of money to spend but will see what my budget will stretch too.
Love the caldene ones but didn't know how good the quality was because a pair of fetlock boots I have had perished pretty much straight away meaning I was wary of overall quality.
Deltaflyer which Schockemohle one is it please? I love the Londonderry one but can't find a seller in the UK for that bridle?
The Jaguar one sounds ideal, thank you, I will have a search
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HI there. Sorry, only just seen this post. I can't recall which model Shockemohle but I bought it year before last and to be honest, I haven't seen them with the removable flash loop since. In fact, my lovely black rolled leather Shockemohle dressage bridle came with a flash which I can't remove so, but it's such a gorgeous bridle I just keep the flash on but only do it up lightly so as not to bother my boy.


The Caldenes with the removable flash are readily available and I got my Havana one for about £70 on Amazon. Funnily, I feel that the leather on the black one's actually a nicer quality than on the Havana. Neither are as good quality as the leather on the Shockemohles though, I keep those ones for best and the Caldene's for every day.
 
I just bought an English leather' unbranded, Havana cavesson hunter bridle from Ingatedtine Saddlery without reins (didn't want them as have my favourites to continue with) for £63. Pony got odd sized head So bought a full size but used an old x full browband in it. Nice leather and 30% cheaper than a Jeffries
 
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