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Suffolk Bridles?

7K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  MIEventer 
#1 ·
Does anyone know anything about Suffolk bridles? There's one in my Dover catalog for $30, and I was wondering why they were so cheap. I checked the Dover website for reviews, and the only think i heard was that they were a little hard to break in. Is there any other reasons why they are so cheap?

Also, has anyone had any luck with Troxel helmets? I'm thinking about getting one in black, and I was wondering if it would be worth it to get a new helmet just for the color. (Mine is currently pink with a silver horse on the side. Luckily I have a black velvet cover to put over it... Plus it is a little small as it is 3 or 4 years old...)
 
#3 ·
Angel, Suffolk bridles are junky. They are Indian-made and VERY stiff and rather unpleasant on touch. I checked them out in Dover in person sometime ago and they were just bad. I doubt it'll ever break to the point it's nice and smooth to the touch (butter-like). BTW, since you are in MD if I'm not mistaking check out local Gayer's Saddlery, Inc. instead. It's a funny place I must say, but they have some awesome tack for the price. I got dressage bridle there for $60 or $70, English made, very nice leather, I got compliments from the trainer on.

As for helmets, get one which fit you. Personally I like Troxels the best, because they fit me the best. :D I have like 2 helmets by Troxel.
 
#5 ·
And just if I sound snobbish :wink: I'm NOT against cheap stuff, but reasonably GOOD quality. I got synthetic reins for Jemma for $30 in Dover vs those for $60. The only difference was little piece of leather where it's attached to the bit was better on the $60 one. BUT it's just a little part of it, it's not on horse really, and not on my hands, so hey, who cares! :D Bridle (since it sits on horse) is a different story though.
 
#6 ·
One of my mare's bridles is a Suffolk. And honestly, my opinion of them is quite to the contrary. I agree that they are HARD to break in. It took a lot of conditioning and just plain ol' use. But once you get past that, I have no complaints about it honestly. It fits her head very well. Looks nice. And has held up very nicely so far. I've had it for 3 years now.
 
#8 ·
Tastes differ. :wink: I'm not saying it doesn't work for everyone, I'm just saying I personally don't recommend it. Too hard leather IMO.
 
#7 ·
I liked the Suffolk bridle that I had, I thought that it held up well, and I don't remember having any problems breaking mine in. I bought it five years ago and when I sold it, it still looked really nice. I was very impressed with them.
 
#9 ·
I know that this is an old thread....but....

I am going to greatly disagree about the leather being too stiff and they being "cheap". I bought the Suffolk Fancy Stitched English Bridle from Dover Saddlery over the Holiday's and when it arrived, I was pretty darn impressed with the quality, and the feel of the leather.

I cannot afford expensive bridles, and being an Eventer I need to beable to rely on my tack to do its job - I was so impressed with this bridle, I had to buy another one.

No issues to break this one in, soft, supple and better leather IMO than my HDR.
 
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