What type of Dressage Bridle to use?

I am just starting to ride my new OTTB dressage. I have found a great saddle and am now looking for the proper dressage bridle to start off with. I have been using a hunt type raised bridle with a slow twist D ring snaffle. The previous owner used this bit with himand he did fine. He also has a nice light mouth and Iwant it to stay that way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

If he's going well in that bridle, leave him in it. Just make sure the bit is dressage legal in the US before you compete him.

Slow twist is not legal to show (see http://www.usef.org/documents/licens...dressequip.pdf p.18). So yes, I'd switch it to the legal one. As for bridle itself who cares what you use for schooling (although for the showing I'd get one that match the saddle). BTW, I use hunter bridle (with legal bit though) for schooling my paint on flat as well as dressage lessons.

"Dressage bridle" is a marketing term until you get to the levels where a double bridle is mandatory.

Most come with completely unnecessary flash nosebands.

The only requirement I have of one is that it matches the color of the rest of my tack for shows.

For schooling, the color does not matter.

I wouldn't say a flash was totally unnecessary. On a young horse, the flash, when fitted correctly, helps to keep the bit quiet in a horse's mouth - stablising it if you will. Used to clamp the mouth shut however, it is unnecessary.

Agree 100%

There is a misconception that you need a flash so tight your horse can't breathe.. untrue.

Also, I am completely unsure of the bit you are using.. different terminology!

I once had a TBx (not raced, mind) and I took her from the last hoop on a three link Dutch gag to a double jointed snaffle- gave her something to play with.

As for the bridle, so long as colour matches you should be fine! You don't need a specialist bridle for hacking/jumping/dressage etc.

Don't matter what kind you like at all. But it has to hold a snaffle bit or another type of bit that is legal where you are. We are allowed to use grackles over here but not sure on the ruling where you are. I, persnally, like this one....


I had it but mum made me take it back cos she thought it would look ugly on my pony ;/

HAHA Tess, my mum is the same!!

'No... that wouldn't suit her.. you're buying this one'
The more expensive one, might I add!!

And I'm 20!!

Haha nah, I pad $230 for that bridle and went back and got a little heap of crap, brittle but 'oh it looks so much better!' Far out I hate that!

PintoTess - I may need to introduce you to the wonders of Calevo, if you haven't discovered it already. I'm already trying to decide on which bridle and browband combo I'm going to buy for Billy, and which colour Eskadron, Eurostar and Pikeur colours for bandages and saddle cloths will work on him :P

Try an Anky bridle if you're looking for something in the reasonably cheap but good quality range - they are fantastic, and very cheap for the quality. I paid $219 for mine, it has an all in one head piece, leather is all double stitched, padded head piece and nose band. Noseband is crank, but obviously you don't need to use it to crank the jaw shut as some would have you believe *rolls eyes*, leather is beautiful.