Bridles - Elevator or KB?

[Tangle]

Has anyone used or met either of these bridles? We're hoping that Fifi will be given the go-ahead to come back into ridden work sometime soon and so she's going to need some tack.

Having given all the bridles in the tack shop a prod and a poke, we the idea of the whole padded head-piece thing. The Albion KB (only exampe they had) stood out as looking really nice and comfy compared with all the others.

I've also read about the Elevator, which sounds similar, but have never handled one.

I know both claim to be groundbreaking, original designs. Has anyone used either. Which would you recommend? Or is the whole thing a big gimmick? Thanks for any thoughts or ideas :)

Albion KB (http://www.albion-saddlemakers.co.uk/products/bridles-index.htm#)
Elevator (http://www.elevator.gg/)

[Stella2]

I thought these were a great idea too given the lack of pressure on the poll compared to the traditional bridle. Consequently, I decided to take the best care of my then (nearly 6 months ago) new mare by treating her to the Albion KB.

Gorgeous I thought. However, Flora had other ideas. She hated it, her head was all over the place and she couldn't be ridden straight! I almost heard her cry "where is my poll pressure, I know where I am with poll pressure"!! So we went back to a traditional bridle.

I have to say she expressed a similar opinion to any bit thought to be kinder than a single link nutcracker!

The moral of the story - horses sometimes hate the expensive new 'kinder' bits of kit! A friend just had a similar experience with a WOW saddle.

I do know though that many horses go beautifully in elevator and KB bridles. I've formed the impression that generally speaking they are best for horses working at a higher level than elementory or maybe novice. I could be wrong though!

[varkie]

My horse has a KB, and is much happier in it. I looked at the Elevator, but couldn't find it anywhere to look at 'in the flesh' so to speak, so ended up buying the KB which I could see in a tack shop. Now glad I got it, very happy with it, and looks very smart!

[Lgd]

Peri has an Elevator double bridle - well made and they will custom size it for you. I have taken the crank noseband off and replaced with the plain cavesson from my old Stubben double - two reasons for that, Peri has a very fine face so a big noseband drowns her face and she also detests crank nosebands even fitted loose. Otherwise she goes really well in it.

Tavia has a Rhinegold comfort bridle which is half the price of an Elevator but similar in principle. Decent enough quality, again the crank noseband came off it though as it was huge and Tavia looked silly in it.

If you hunt for the thread in the coffee shop the piccies show them in their respective bridles.

[Ginger Thing]

A friend of mine has the Elevator - don't think it has improved her horse's way of going particularly (he is a 20 year old ex-showjumper and now she only hacks him, no schooling), but it is a lovely quality bridle, beautifully soft leather.

[Tangle]

Originally posted by Lgd
Peri has an Elevator double bridle - well made and they will custom size it for you. I have taken the crank noseband of
Thanks for all your replies, guys - I guess it depends on the horse. So we'll probably have to get her going again in a borrowed/cheap bridle so we have a baseline to know whether she likes or hates the idea of no/reduced poll pressure. Does that sound sensible?

Lgd - you got me confused (sadly that's easily done :o)! When I looked at the KB I could have sworn that the headpiece that was padded was the one attached to the nose band. Are the Elevator and Rhinegold designed differently to that? Also, having used both, do you think the Elevator justifies the extra cost (unless you need the made to measure service).

Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions.....

[Lgd]

The Elevator is far superior in quality to the Rhinegold. I bought it without the reins which knocks a big chunk off the price. The snaffle Elevator comes in at around £120 without reins. The noseband headpiece goes through a slot on the side of the head piece so it lies on top of the padded headpiece and then goes through a slot on the other side.
Tavia has a full size in the Rhinegold and it only just goes small enough. She needs a full size browband and they don't split the bridles.

Peri has a full size headpiece and brow band, and cob size cheek pieces and noseband on the elevator.

I looked at the KB bridles but they are no better than the elevators and are much more expensive, plus they don't custom size them.

I would get another elevator any day.

[Tangle]

Definately leaning towards it. Given most of the other bridles we'd consider are £80+, seems daft to get one as a temporary measure. May as well just jump straight in :D.

Do you know if they do a trial? (we're enthusiastic, but it would be nice to know she won't hate it before we commit).