Bridles

lauren123

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2007
3,329
1,397
113
East Yorkshire
Sox is currently in a plain cavasson bridle and snaffle bit. However i am interested in getting him a bridle thats a better fit or more comfortable for him. Micklem? Or something like that. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
In what way does the current one not fit?
That's your starting point.

Micklem puts me off because we don't have a noseband. Mine yawns and you can't do that with the mouth shut. She probably yawns more than most but that's her in season sign language.
 
I am terrible and know nothing about bridles. I was lucky because Zi came with a lovely well fitting one, it looks great and sadler and old owner had it fitted right for him. Storm was tricky, she came with a cobbled together thing which was bone ugly and made up out of odds and sods. Couldn't wait to treat her to a better one! Stuck to a plain one after a disasterous buy - one with a flash on. Which she did not like or need and also it was a crank ? Noseband. Hmm. So in the end she got a plain workman like one which was about £80 ish and I like to think she was comfy in for many years. I am a bit out of touch with all the latest styles, there seems to be so many. Horse and Rider mag often do features on them, I think there was an article a couple of months ago, I was amazed at the different varieties.
 
One of mine is in an ordinary cheap bridle with a nose band. The other is in the same but it has a flash on it. Not sure he likes the flash as he can't open his mouth. I am thinking of trialling without it. I'm also thinking of trying without a nose band. Although as hes a headshaker and wears a nose net I'm not sure about this one. But maybe I could do the noseband up loose. Am I right in think new forest that you don't use a noseband.
Personally myself I would ask the question, is it the bridle or the bit the horse doesn't like.
I've tried various bits on Billy, some he seems relaxed in, others he chomps on.
 
I'm not keen on the Micklem because it does look like it restricts the mouth. I have one based on the Fairfax & I've been very impressed with it, and though personally I could live without a noseband (not an option as it would leave spare leather flapping) I just do it up very loosely so it has minimal effect.

To be honest if his current bridle fits I'd leave well alone unless you've suddenly come into money = with Sox you're probably better off saving it into a vet account!
 
One of mine is in an ordinary cheap bridle with a nose band. The other is in the same but it has a flash on it. Not sure he likes the flash as he can't open his mouth. I am thinking of trialling without it. I'm also thinking of trying without a nose band. Although as hes a headshaker and wears a nose net I'm not sure about this one. But maybe I could do the noseband up loose. Am I right in think new forest that you don't use a noseband.
Personally myself I would ask the question, is it the bridle or the bit the horse doesn't like.
I've tried various bits on Billy, some he seems relaxed in, others he chomps on.

No she doesn't have one. Sometimes my halter sits under the bridle in case I feel like riding with it, so the noseband was a pest.
I do have a fly veil as the flies annoy her head.
 
Last edited:
I tried a miklem but it didn’t fit Belles face and tone honest I only tried it because a friend was selling it cheap.
Belle wears a comfort head piece and no nose band, I always used to have it so loose I thought what’s the point and she looks much prettier without it.
I’m with the others Lauren, if his current bridle fits and is working why change it :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: lauren123
newrider.com