Zilco or Biothane bridle

I've got a zilco bridle, its fab goes in the washing machine and comes out looking new! The only thing I've found I have to watch is my horse loves rubbing his head on stuff and the clips on the cheeks can catch on things easily - never travel in them. Had zilco harness too which was also great and a copy which was not great because it had a ridged surface instead of smooth so it was impossible to wipe clean. Avoid the stuff with ridges, lol.
 
Warm soapy water and a nail brush once a month, also brasso for the brass clips, i got mine from Dave Wilson, he is very good with spares and advice.
I found the parrot clips on reins to be really usefull.
Only thing is that if someone else is removing bridle, invariably they try to "dismantle it". Mine had a head-collar instead of the usual bridle arrangement, as it was the endurance style.
I had a red one which looked really smart on a dark bay, it is essential it is a good fit, with mine the reins were pretty neat, and the headcollar, it was cob size.
 
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I've actually found the bridlework & breastplates made by Pioneer Harness to be better quality than Zilco. All handmade by Zoe, rather than mass produced. She supplied the British endurance team last year for their bridlework. Strongly suggest you contact her & have a chat before buying Zilco (don't have her number to hand but she has a website, so just google Pioneer Harness). Got a stunning blue/white combo from her last year. If you want one that looks like leather , try Plas Equestrian. Again hand made (don't pay extra for a custom fit bridle), but I've found the buckles aren't as good & the brass effect wears off.
 
Another vote for Plas Equestrian, only had experience of her fabric bridles but 15 odd years later they're still going and just bung them in the washing machine and they come out looking like new. Just had a biothane headcollar off her, looks like leather from a distance but I can just shove it under the tap to scrub it rather than worry about looking after it.
 
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