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What bridle should I use?

4K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  blue eyed pony 
#1 ·
Hello fellow horse lovers!
I’m currently looking for a bridle on a budget, preferably $50-$70 but I have a little wiggle room. I’ve recently started getting my own tack and now I’m starting English jumping which will hopefully work out so I’m ready to get a bridle 🙂 I would like to get a padded bridle as I know those are supposed to be more comfortable for the horse but I’m wondering how you would care for padded part of the bridle? I’ve never owned or cared for my own bridle so I’m open to any tips on caring for them as well!! 🙂 thank you! This is the horse the bridle will be used for
 

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#2 ·
I can't help much with brands of padded bridle within your budget because mine are more expensive (one is Pessoa and the other is Lumiere) but regarding care:
You care for the padding the same as the rest of the leather. You clean it with saddle soap, then condition it with a good quality, dye-free leather balm. If the padding is white, use a CLEAN cloth for the leather balm so you don't stain the padding.

Choosing a style:
Start with the simplest possible bridle. A comfortable crownpiece and a simple cavesson noseband. Most horses are most comfortable with less tack. If your horse needs more, a good jumping coach will advise you on what they think will work best for your horse and why.
And start. With. A. Snaffle. If you're only just learning to jump you will not have the release to use anything with any amount of leverage.
 
#3 ·
Make sure you understand what a padded bridle is and read the blurb description very carefully cause "padded" can be different things to different manufacturers.
Depending upon the horses head a padded bridle can overwhelm a head on some animals and not be appealing to look at...
All a "padded" bridle is a extra lined browband, noseband and headstall making the actual browband, noseband and headstall wider...sometimes the "padding" wrinkles and then is not so comfy for the animal too. Remember it still must be stitched together so padding is not the full width of any piece...look closely at pictures shown.
If you think that is more comfortable on a horse to wear and carry....go for it.
A well fitting bridle will be comfortable for a horse to wear also...
Beware those wider parts not interfere with ears and the fine, thin skin of the surrounding areas of nose, ear and top of the skull.

Your budget allows for a decent quality leather bridle, suitable for everyday use.
Bridles can become very expensive quickly, but unless you are showing at fine venues and higher rated shows you don't need to spend that kind of money for everyday tack safe to use.
I have had good choices, very reasonable prices and decent entry level quality tack bought at this place... https://www.chicksaddlery.com/search-results?Search=english+bridles#/perpage:500 a real store they also do internet and what they describe something as is very accurate a description so read carefully but your money will go far here even with you paying for shipping.

If you buy a leather bridle, you clean it like you do any other piece of leather tack...hot water to cut grime, a suitable cleaning product {I prefer saddle soap or glycerine bar soap}, hot water to rinse clean and only when the leather feels dry do I nourish it sparingly applied coats left to soak in with Pure Neatsfoot Oil...
I don't use any of the newer style of cleansers as what I use has been used by horseman for centuries now with fantastic results and that is good enough for me.
If you do Biothane, synthetic or nylon tack then wiping down with a damp cloth or soap and water will clean those products suitably.

If you do "padded" pay special close attention to the bends that occur fitting the contours of the face, all that "padding" not hold filth in the wrinkles of the leather/material that would cause sores potentially over time with dirt/sweat build-up accumulated.
Old toothbrushes are great for small spaces and gentle, thorough cleaning done. :smile:
:runninghorse2:...
 
#5 ·
Make sure you understand what a padded bridle is and read the blurb description very carefully cause "padded" can be different things to different manufacturers.
Depending upon the horses head a padded bridle can overwhelm a head on some animals and not be appealing to look at...
All a "padded" bridle is a extra lined browband, noseband and headstall making the actual browband, noseband and headstall wider...sometimes the "padding" wrinkles and then is not so comfy for the animal too. Remember it still must be stitched together so padding is not the full width of any piece...look closely at pictures shown.
If you think that is more comfortable on a horse to wear and carry....go for it.
A well fitting bridle will be comfortable for a horse to wear also...
Beware those wider parts not interfere with ears and the fine, thin skin of the surrounding areas of nose, ear and top of the skull.

Your budget allows for a decent quality leather bridle, suitable for everyday use.
Bridles can become very expensive quickly, but unless you are showing at fine venues and higher rated shows you don't need to spend that kind of money for everyday tack safe to use.
I have had good choices, very reasonable prices and decent entry level quality tack bought at this place... https://www.chicksaddlery.com/search-results?Search=english+bridles#/perpage:500 a real store they also do internet and what they describe something as is very accurate a description so read carefully but your money will go far here even with you paying for shipping.

If you buy a leather bridle, you clean it like you do any other piece of leather tack...hot water to cut grime, a suitable cleaning product {I prefer saddle soap or glycerine bar soap}, hot water to rinse clean and only when the leather feels dry do I nourish it sparingly applied coats left to soak in with Pure Neatsfoot Oil...
I don't use any of the newer style of cleansers as what I use has been used by horseman for centuries now with fantastic results and that is good enough for me.
If you do Biothane, synthetic or nylon tack then wiping down with a damp cloth or soap and water will clean those products suitably.

If you do "padded" pay special close attention to the bends that occur fitting the contours of the face, all that "padding" not hold filth in the wrinkles of the leather/material that would cause sores potentially over time with dirt/sweat build-up accumulated.
Old toothbrushes are great for small spaces and gentle, thorough cleaning done. <img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://www.horseforum.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />
<img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://www.horseforum.com/images/smilies/runninghorse2.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Runninghorse2" class="inlineimg" />...
I keep looking at the picture of the horse and keep saying no to padded...
First off there is a lot of hair that the wider padded straps are going to interfere with.
The face is shorter and to me a padded bridle because of the extra width of straps to accommodate the padding is going to overwhelm a cute face.


If this were my horse I would go with a simple caveson {noseband} with a raised white stitched browband and noseband and forget the padded.
Or just a plain caveson raised so a bit fancy to look at but not the overwhelming of padded that makes the straps very wide.

This horse has enough mane and forelock it doesn't need the padding extra and the facial bones are not as prominent as on some other horses...
I would not do padded...
A square or half-round raised would look stunning on this face as would just a fancy stitched noseband, browband design.
<img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://www.horseforum.com/images/smilies/runninghorse2.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Runninghorse2" class="inlineimg" />...
jmo..
okay thank you so much that is very helpful!!! The horse has never done jumping so that’s why I’m trying to stay in the less expensive bridles in case it dosent work out. Would the oakwood brand be good for cleaning and conditioning the leather?
 
#4 ·
I keep looking at the picture of the horse and keep saying no to padded...
First off there is a lot of hair that the wider padded straps are going to interfere with.
The face is shorter and to me a padded bridle because of the extra width of straps to accommodate the padding is going to overwhelm a cute face.


If this were my horse I would go with a simple caveson {noseband} with a raised white stitched browband and noseband and forget the padded.
Or just a plain caveson raised so a bit fancy to look at but not the overwhelming of padded that makes the straps very wide.

This horse has enough mane and forelock it doesn't need the padding extra and the facial bones are not as prominent as on some other horses...
I would not do padded...
A square or half-round raised would look stunning on this face as would just a fancy stitched noseband, browband design.
:runninghorse2:...
jmo..
 
#7 ·
I'm a totally contrary voice to @horselovinguy ****.

I LOVE my padded bridles. My mare is huge, but she has a dainty head for her size (16.3hh, and a VERY small full/Horse sized bridle). I don't think her bridle drowns her head.
The wide padded crownpiece is for her comfort, she is extremely poll sensitive and this makes her happier than a narrower crownpiece. On her, a browband is largely decorative.
The noseband is heavily padded and quite wide, and I still feel like it doesn't drown her face. I HATE how she looks in a narrower noseband!

Edit for a disclaimer: I do not condone riding in a moon boot, it was STUPID of me and I absolutely shouldn't have done it. I will probably do it again but I'm irresponsible and reckless at the best of times.
 

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#8 ·
I LOVE my padded bridles. My mare is huge, but she has a dainty head for her size (16.3hh, and a VERY small full/Horse sized bridle). I don't think her bridle drowns her head.
The wide padded crownpiece is for her comfort, she is extremely poll sensitive and this makes her happier than a narrower crownpiece. On her, a browband is largely decorative.
The noseband is heavily padded and quite wide, and I still feel like it doesn't drown her face. I HATE how she looks in a narrower noseband.

But...you could buy wider straps and wider noseband/browband for your mare.
It is you who choose the width of the straps the bridle is composed of.
A regulation flat hunting bridle used in appointments class would look nice on your horse.
All flat leather but straps are wider you would like too I bet.

Your horse is also 16.3 hands versus a considerably smaller animal by looking at the picture shared of the posters riding partner.
Your horse does have a appropriately sized head to her immense body...petite or not she has a large head fitting her physique.
Again, smaller horse and all that extra width...yea, no just not needed.
The added "comfort" the horse you believe likes from width, excellent possibility to spread pressure applied to a wider area makes sense...
One of the reasons round strap bridle went out of favor but wait...now they do rope halters...understand that philosophy and understand much about pressure and release...and I know you got that comparison. :smile:
It also has to do with what we like to see on a head...you like wide.
I think your horse would be stunning in a dark brown white stitched square raised bridle...she just has the bones that would make her pop and be seen.
To me, the wide straps are used to hide a "ugly" head or one not a pretty profile on...heavy clunky look great in wide and thick...refined, smaller, sleeker put them in something that brings attention to seeing the face not the leather hanging on it..
All personal choice...understanding what padded means first for the original poster and why you would want it and would it accomplish what you think you need or not...those are the things to think about before purchasing.
:runninghorse2:...
 
#9 ·
As a western rider I am a little confused why bridles would NEED to be padded. Maybe the noseband. But I really don't understand the padded crown pieces and such on english bridles. I don't think the bridle should be so tight as to need padding.........does it?

Western riders don't pad bridles at all and everything is fairly loose. I could probably stick my arm up to my elbow under my bridle while the horse is wearing it. So why do english riders need everything so tight? I always assumed the padding was more for fashion than function?
 
#10 ·
Is there a reason something like this wouldn't work?



"extra heavy harness leather that’s dipped in oil, dressed with saddle butter and hand rubbed for the ultimate in performance and a rich golden chestnut color."

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/weaver-working-cowboy-economy-hdstl-w-brass/E015641/

I understand it isn't "English"...but does that really matter? 3/4 inch wide version runs $37. I think that is the one I use when using a snaffle bit.
 
#12 ·
A horse is going to jump exactly the same in a western headstall. If you don't know whether your horse is going to like jumping, just ride in what you have, until you know.

If you want discount tack, there's an endless amount of used, quality tack of every description advertised on FB and other sites like TackTack. Usually at least 50% off new retail.

I also suggest that if you have a little horse, you may find "cob/arab" sized english bridles to fit better than "horse" size. My 14.2 Morgan is in between those two sizes, sometimes one fits and sometimes the other one does depending on manufacturer.

I personally think padded bridles are mainly a fad. A simple hunter style snaffle bridle is all you need.
 
#13 ·
Okay thank you! He is a 15.1 Appaloosa Morgan cross so I think the horse size should be alright, I know I wrote down the measurements of his face somewhere, just have to find them or re measure lol. I’ve started jumping him with the headstall and he seems to be picking up on it quick so I do think I will get an English bridle, I found one that dosent have any padding that looks nice so I may get it. But I do want to have a look at the used tack you mentioned, I didn’t even think of that. Thank you 🙂
 
#15 · (Edited)
#16 ·
Kincade is Indian leather, so it looks and feels cheap, but you're not likely to find better leather in your price range. They do soften up okay. I had a Kincade bridle that the girl who gave it to me said she'd left in oil for 24 hours to soften it, and it was lovely, but that is bad for the longevity of the leather and that bridle broke after I'd owned it for maybe a year.
 
#19 ·
The Premier I see not as nice finishing and the cheekpiece to me on a new bridle shows signs of inferior leather finished and "wrinkling" of new leather I not like...shows a weakness imo of leather quality.
Of these two bridles the Kinkaid has nicer attention to details...
Even stitches and no loose ends, finished stitches at the same spot along the browband.
I think at each location where the bridle folds back to buckle into a billet there is a lining piece of leather that you see on a finer quality of tack.
I see finished edges rubbed and slightly beveled.
I see a contrast "white" stitched embellishment which is what makes the bridle pop on the horses face.

Is this "English made", probably not but is not bad quality and probably will last longer than those bridles costing hundreds of dollars in honesty.
Sometimes a bit less can offer more longevity.
Today no leather is what it was 15 years of so ago...when cattle go to market at a younger age their hide is not as thick as a older animal, fact.
Hence the reason leather shoes wear out faster, saddles do not last or take the same kind of daily riding "abuse" and things do break that much easier.
I have a Kincade bridle....not used everyday now since I ride more western than English but at one time, used daily and it is still really nice looking with nothing broken on it and its 20 years old...it lasts with a bit of care given. It was one of my everyday bridles.

For what you are wanting to do, either bridle will do fine and last without wrecking the bank finances.
I just don't see a reason to spend an extra $16.. :|
Just need you to decide if you want white or same color fancy stitching, to save or spend extra $ for thread color :-?... Can tell you I have both and the white just looks nicer to me. jmo.
:runninghorse2:...
 
#22 ·
The same site those other two bridles are on has a "Pinnacle" fancy stitch hunter bridle that's similar in style to the Kincade and claims to be European leather. It looks quite nice to me!

Edit: this one, OP! https://www.sstack.com/pinnacle-raised-fancy-stitched-bridle/p/16698/
Reading it again, it says leather from Australia, Argentina and Europe. In my experience all three are decent :)
 
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