Working hunter - what bridle should I get?

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Scribbles

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Sorry!

Don't like the wide flat nosebands, they won't suit little neds head. After spending a LOT on a sabre cordoba, with custom made grackle and cavesson nosebands, the OH might kill me if I get another slightly-too-expensive bridle. And I spent £300 over my budget on a saddle yesterday
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A showing noseband should be the flat style.
However, if your horse has a smaller head, you can get narrower flat nosebands. And if you have a nice bridle already then why not buy the noseband separatly to match your nice bridle?!

cheaper, and gets the desired effect!
 
Because it's black with brass buckles!


I just remembered I think I have a english leather brown bridle at the back of a cupboard, so the OH can save having a heart attack...
 
[ QUOTE ]
A showing noseband should be the flat style.
However, if your horse has a smaller head, you can get narrower flat nosebands. And if you have a nice bridle already then why not buy the noseband separatly to match your nice bridle?!

cheaper, and gets the desired effect!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree
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I agree, a wide flat noseband and browband for a chunky type, and a narrower flat noseband and browband for a horse like yours. Make sure they match, so no raised browband and a flat noseband
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Looks perfect - they're good quality plain bridles and unless you're trying to qualify for HOYS I wouldn't fret about flat leather
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Thats her original havana one, but now I'm back with a black saddle, I bought it in black too. About £30-35 I think - its a Kincade one. I went for the double version so I got 2 pairs of reins!

I've always hankered after a Sabre one for showing but its not worth it for the useage it gets, but I've had the havana one above about 5 years now and its still as new condition.

Much better quality than I expected and none of that dodgy smell you used to get on really cheap leather bridles from the far east!

I just think if you are making the effort to do a showing class, you should make the effort to have the correct gear - it doesn't have to cost a fortune. You wouldn't take a horse into a pony class, so why would you go in with the wrong tack?

Don't get me wrong I'm not some rich snob, but if I can make the effort to use the correct tack, I get a bit annoyed when others can't be bo bothered. Sorry - rant not aimed at you - just in general!
 
I think it depends on the quality of your local shows.
I showed my hunter at first in a plain but raised noseband and browband, and got marked down!

If your old brown one has a flat brow band or nose band, then just save money and buy a matching attachment (noseband or brow band separate!) to save the pennies!

yes showing is one awsome farce (but ponies look sooo pretty after wards!
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I just get grumpy when you see people going into a worker class in blingy bridles, vented SJ style hats and worse.

I always just asked about for advice, so many people were helpful in what the correct turnout was - that I never had any problems knowing what to use and when. It just seems like a lack of respect for the class as a whole if some people can't make the effort when everyone else has.

Re: the nosebands, I know R&R country do decent but cheap ones as one of the kids from our yard bought a flat noseband just for a show - as she wanted to be the same as everyone else, and it was only a local show.

I guess I just like following the proper traditions, unless its bitting and then don't get me started!!!
 
by the way gingernags, your horsey is beautiful (and looks lovely in that bridle)

and i agree tack and turnout is important, but sometimes bitting is silly! (but we wont go there)
 
Gingerngs - no i completely agree, hence why I am asking. I also think it is a shame if someone has a nice horse who *could* do very well, but because of poor turnout they don't.

Sometimes it does get a little pedantic, but I can understand why, as you have to draw a line somewhere.

Plus it gives me chance to vent my shopaholic urges
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Your female right?! we all get shopaholic urges, OH's just dont understand that our horses just give us an excuse to release them!

http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=1020&cat=2&scats=49,94 I think this is similar to gingernags one! (and not too expensive either)

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/product/kty_english_made_hunt_bridle/index.html little bit more expensive, but is narrower, like you wanted

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/_kincade_double_bridle/index.html same as the derby house one but cheaper!

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/_collegiate_cavesson_nosebands/index.html separate noseband!

just some ideas!
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I am terrible, I need no excuse, even when skint. My beast have a way better wardrobe than me!

I do actually like hunter bridles, I think they look so smart in the show ring, and being plain they take nothing away from the horse itself. Though I admit to having a mad coloured velvet and crystal browband for other ridden classes *snigger*.

One benefit of this place is people will always offer help and advice. I came to showing late as I never had transport when I was younger so me and scruffy pony just hared about the woods and moors without a care in the world.

Asti (the ginger one in the bridle pic) seems to be good at it though so I've always let her go to parties with younger riders who want to play. Though I do admit to riding a veteran class myself a couple of months back!

Have fun anyway!

And thanks for the comment above about her, she scrubs up well for a homebred old nag! (love her to bits really!)
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Oh no! What type of reins are you supposed to have?!

I'm awful, I spent £750 on a saddle yesterday, promising OH I wouldn't spend more than £300... When i got my cheque book out I got him to take ned back to stable so he couldn't see how much it cost me!

Ginger - the hunter bridle looks really good on her
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Reins, well in theory you should be using a double bridle/slip head with a pelham/double bits etc..... however, workers can get away with snaffles, kimblewicks, etc (as it is not show hunters!)

your reins should just be smart and preferably plain (not rubber reins which are tattered and worn!)

I have half rubber reins (so rubber on the inside) for my snaffle rein, and a very thin plain english leather rein for my curb rein..... Nice, simple, smart!

However I know some people prefer plaited reins, or notched reins (dont know what htey are called, with bits of leather every inch or so.....)
 
So a snaffle is ok for WH, as little ned is only 4 and I don't have the experience to teach him to be in a double.


Cheers! You are providing me with good distraction from work.
 
If its Novice (show hunters or workers) you are supposed to be snaffle - well for ponies it is, mines only 15hh!

Workers for horses I've seen a split - and both are fine - between snaffles with hunting breastplates/martingales, or those with a pelham/double and two reins. Always find some of both and both are acceptable. I use half rubber reins, snaffle, breastplate.

Show Hunters I give in and unless its the BSPS rules Novice classes, I use a pelham with 2 reins as pony hates doubles. I use half leather and plain for snaffle and curb rein respectively, but one plaited one plain is just as acceptable, or even 2 plain.
 
Yup agree with gingernags, except I dont use a breastplate (just me!)

And yes snaffle is fine! especially if he is only 4! sure he will be happier and do a better show as a result!
 
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