If it's fitted correctly there shouldn't be any pressure points unless the noseband is done up tight. From an esthetic perspective, the noseband is very thin, though.
What do you want/not want in a bridle?
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Thanks for the detailed reply!Good leather is paramount in what I want....keep the cheap junk elsewhere, leather strap goods is not where you cheap on quality.
Rubbed edges and a patina showing craftsmanship the leather glows not from cheap quality but burnishes that look of quality tanning and finishing took place.
I prefer square raised, half-round brow and caveson with and without contrast stitching white....off-white to me just looks dirty and uncared for {yes I have 1 hence my comment about appearance but a gift is a gift.}
A plain flat brow and caveson can be very complimentary when not overwhelming a face...so again width choices..
Not a fan of truly braided/plaited for the amount of dirt they hold, special, special care to clean and how those tiny straps so easily break...
Round, as in really round appearing bridle except on particular horse head is not complimentary, jmo.
Browbands with small amount of garnishing, tastefully done with stones, fine chain is/can be head enhancing...keep the gaudy heavier stuff away from me. Not allowed in some show rings without acquiring point demerits though.
What I wish was more readily available...
Browband in several length choices. I hate seeing a bridle to tight across the ears and poll area.
Caveson also needs to have sizing choices so your half-round/square not stop so far under the cheekbone but brought more to the cheek pieces...
Bridle strap-keepers....the ones fixed usually just below the buckles are truly caught and stitched well so they not pull loose and "flap"...
Several extra loose keepers so when you clean and mis-place you can still have a slip-keeper that matches the bridle...maybe just 2 extra that match that bridles patina.
One of those pet-peeves of mine is loose straps ends flapping on any bridle.
Keeping this affordable is also a needed so many more can enjoy. I do not consider $250 and up affordable, nor of the quality those prices should be dictating.... Now when you hit the $400 - $500 hundred level it better be top-notch in appearance and quality....called truly custom strap work.
Find a way to design a flash bridle to not so easily display that loop needed for the flash strap...take the flash off and its like a giant zit gathering attention to me....ugly!
In a show-ring where flash is not permitted, it is such a deterrent to me if I was judging I would score lower knowing the use of it is done and that HUS/Equitation animal should not be seen with it on his bridle.
There is a time and place for equipment used....and a time & place where it should not..and then should not be "hey I'm here seen"....
Find a good advertising agency for marketing your prospective offerings cause much of what is seen today that is the "have to have"...is just a well-fit bridle someone with advertising/marketing skills is proclaiming so much better than is a bunch of 💩 ....
A well fitting bridle offers all of what those marketing geniuses spout about...its called marketing and promotion paying names to be seen using...those names also get freebie products, they rarely purchase as "normal" equestrians do.
A ill-fit bridle is what has many spending $$ trying to figure out that if they just bought a bridle that truly fit the head first, they could of saved a lot of $$$$$...
Just some of my thoughts...
🐴...
As far as leather goes, I think the leather I get is the best quality available (from Leffler's - you probably wouldn't know them since they're an Australian brand). I'd hate to sell anything made from poor quality leather.
Multiple choices on browband length is a good idea.
Ouch. Running keepers are so much easier to make than fixed keepers! Oh well.
I wouldn't consider $200 and up affordable! Let's see - the leather for a bridle costs about $75 - buckles about $25 - $100 total. I wonder how much I could charge to make a decent profit, but still have reasonable prices?
I don't like flashes. They don't even look good, imo. It's a bit harsh to say you'd take away points if you saw a bridle that had had one, though - maybe the person who owner the horse had liked the bridle, but not the flash, and so took it off when they got it and never used it! 😀
Harsh ....no.
If the rules state no flash allowed, then its not allowed on being used or seen on their tack.
When judging a class of entries and riders are very similar in points, it is things like this that can move you up or down in placing.
I bought a bridle I loved with a flash....removed the flash and carefully cut the loop off.
Now its what I like and use as a caveson bridle.
It was that simple to make the alteration.
🐴
Oh, so it's actually not allowed. I didn't know that. I guess I'm more used to showjumping rules that don't really care about that kind of thing 😄Harsh ....no.
If the rules state no flash allowed, then its not allowed on being used or seen on their tack.
When judging a class of entries and riders are very similar in points, it is things like this that can move you up or down in placing.
I bought a bridle I loved with a flash....removed the flash and carefully cut the loop off.
Now its what I like and use as a caveson bridle.
It was that simple to make the alteration.
🐴
Something funny I only just realised: my horse's bridle that came with her actually has a loop from a removed flash. I never knew what it was before, I just resumed it was part of the bridle!
Of course you qualify for a opinion....
You are an equestrian...
You ride, you own, you purchase and have likes and dislikes regarding tack you would purchase...
That give you the right to voice a opinion, same as everyone else!
No one said this is only for English riders and no where did I read "show-ring" from the OP...
OP is just interested to know what people would like and why....
Me think, nope I know you have needs and wants to see in tack just like the rest of us...
I'm glad you shared cause your specific contribution was not seen written like this nor with to me think is emphasis on everyday use and trail "sturdy" is different than show-ring & arena riding needs.
🐴... jmo...
As the others said. Anyone with a preference qualifies for an opinion!Hmmm...ideally, I'd like good quality leather, possibly with good stitching. Wider leather preferred. But in reality, I don't think Bandit and I qualify for an opinion. If you leave the rope halter on underneath the bridle and your saddle was $380 new... 😉
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