Comfy bridles...any suggestions

[gordysgirl]

I am after a new bridle for my horse as his keeps rubbing around the back of his ears and nose (thin skinned TB!). The one I have was cheap and needs replacing anyway. I have seen some of the new comfort bridles where the noseband runs over the top of the headpiece but was wondering which to go for. Reasonable cost. Are Rhinegold reputable?

[MeMe]

Ive heard alot of good things about the Rhinegold ones, but never seen one in the flesh.

Kieffer do some nicely padded ones, and dependent on how much you want to spend the Albion is fantastic.

[aliw]

Have you oiled it, because if you haven't then it would be stiff? :)

[eventerbabe]

I have a jeffries and a Stubben, both are excellent quality. i'm afraid if you go for another cheap make you will only end up replacing it in a few years. the Jeffries one cost about £100 including reins (that was 9 years ago and its still like new having been well looked after) and the Stubben padded crank bridle i've just purchased was £130 including rubber reins.

[Ginger Thing]

I have the Heritage comfort bridle (similar price to the Rhinegold) but my OH has the Elevator bridle which cost £145 without reins. I have just treated them both with leather dressing today and there is not much difference in the quality of the leather and padding, at least not £100 worth! The noseband on his is slightly nicer, but I am very happy with mine - they are always on Ebay.

[drookitsheep]

I have the Heritage comfort one too, which I bought from Ebay. Really impressed with it. The leather is really lovely and the headpiece is really nice and soft and padded. Would highly recommend it, and it's very reasonably priced too.

[casey]

I have just bought a beautiful padded stubben. No flash. Totally comfy, well I think so anyway :rolleyes: :)

On reading the posts. I think it's the same Stubben as Eventerbabes.

[ponylover88]

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[eventerbabe]

I think Albion make the elevator, its certainly not a Stubben model. just an after though, have you considered the webbing bridles made by the likes of Libby's? my endurance friend uses them. and the thorowgood synthetic bridles look very smart, my mum was eyeing one up at the Royal Highland.

[gordysgirl]

Thanks guys think I will have another nosy on ebay. I don't mind forking out a bit for it as I want it to be comfortable for him.

[Stella2]

You would think that all horses would love the 'elevater' type bridles wouldn't you (well, I did anyway). Since they are designed to have no pressure at the poll. So I thought I was being a nice owner when I bought the Albion for my mare. She hated it :eek: Threw her head about, wouldn't respond to me asking for flexion. She might as well have been shouting "Give me back the traditional bridle", so I did and she seemed to breath a sigh of relief - horses eh, who'd have em!!

I have the Stubben padded cavasson (with crank noseband) for her and she is very happy in it.

[Barcie]

I have looked on ebay for a comfy bridle. HOwever they all have a crank noseband. Is there any particular advantage having a crank as opposed to a normal noseband. do any of the comfy bridles not have the crank noseband?

[Stella2]

A crank noseband is designed as it is because it can be pulled very tight (much tighter than a cavesson) to prevent the horse opening its mouth. This is because as you tighten the pressure is distributed evenly. However, unless I could be convinced that it was truely necassary, I wouldn't be inclined to use one like that (I'm also not a fan of the flash or drop nose band, although I would never say never - there might be an ocassion for them) The crank can be fastened so that you can fit two fingers under it and its lies two finger below the cheekbone and then it just acts like a cavasson. This is how I use mine. That way its just a nice soft noseband :)

[Barcie]

does that mean you dont use the drop part of the nose band or still use it but looser than a flash noseband or you can fasten the drop part where the cavesson is?

[Stella2]

does that mean you dont use the drop part of the nose band or still use it but looser than a flash noseband or you can fasten the drop part where the cavesson is?

A crank is essentially just a cavesson that can be tightened further. Some people adjust it so that it sits slightly lower than a correctly fitted cavesson. When you get the bridle, it will be just like a cavesson with a different fastener so don't worry it won't be confusing when you get it :)