The Bridle Guide

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The Bridle Guide
Topic Started: Mar 16 2007, 06:36 PM (11,147 Views)
Renn/aissance	Mar 16 2007, 06:36 PM Post #1
Hakuna matata! Posts: 1,946 Group: Admin Member #17 Joined: January 3, 2007	Shopping for a bridle? Confused by all the options? Have questions about brands, sizes, colors? Look no further. The Bridle Guide is a compilation of consumer comments about different bridles and manufacturers, all written by the people that count- the buyers. A few notes about the Guide There are two sections here. The first is organized by brand and lists consumer commentary on quality, sizing, &c. Keep in mind that not all comments may reflect on the same model or year of manufacture of bridle. The price options reflected range from $ for most inexpensive to $$$$$ to most expensive, and are general price statements only; different models or different tack shops may alter the price. The second section is “Best for…” The bridle selection these days is varied, so it’s now easier to find a bridle that flatters a horse’s particular head. This section lists bridle models which may flatter a horse of particular conformation. The Bridle Guide is a work in construction and I’d love to hear your input on making it a more effective resource. If you have any suggestions or commentary on any of the bridles mentioned, please send me a PM. I look forward to hearing from you. The Bridle Guide Brands Antares- $$$$ Soft leather Wide padding flatters a Warmblood head Aramas- $$ Excellent value for price Not generally sold with reins Some users report glue leakage from brow and nosebands Comes in chestnut color; will darken to medium bay Arc de Triomphe- $$$ Many different styles to choose from to flatter many different heads Quality leather, especially for the price Leather may splotch after cleaning and look like it was caught in rain Customer service reportedly poor Avalon- $ Good schooling bridle; not recommended for show Handsome bridles in styles mimicking many top manufacturers Due to stiffness of leather, they take a long time to break in Outer edges of bridle parts will fray Beval- $$$$ One of the premier manufacturers of hunter bridles Many different styles to choose from in several price ranges Be careful of the New Canaan line; Beval has been having trouble with their leather for this model Wide noseband model (Heritage) Bobby’s English Tack: Models #200-1100- $ Leather considered to be excellent for the price Dye notorious for “bleeding” after cleaning; may rub off entirely Bobby's English Tack: English Leather #1500 line- $$ The higher-end Bobby's line Excellent quality Does not experience same bleeding problems as the #200-1100 line Circuit (Dover)- $$ Come in light chestnut, but many will oil up to dark bay Padding does not take oil as well as rest of bridle When oiled, can be mistaken for much more expensive bridles Collegiate- $ Formerly made by Crosby (see below) Good quality, especially considering price Brand makes a "Quarter Horse" model to fit better on this type of head Crosby- $$ One of the oldest reputable bridle manufacturers Some feel quality has declined over the years Edgewood- $$$ One of the premier manufacturers of hunter bridles Many options in width, padding, stitching, &c Come in light tan color, but accept oil very well- finished color varies from chestnut brown to dark bay Notorious for stretching- buy 1 size smaller than normal (cob size fits an average horse) Sold without reins Hadfield’s- $$$$ One of the premier manufacturers of hunter bridles Customer service reportedly excellent Hold their appearance and value for years Run small- order one size larger than usual Sold without reins Henri de Rivel- $$ Two colors: light tan and darker brown Light color may not take oil well Soft, cushiony padding Oiling may cause glue leakage Jaguar- $$$ Manufactured by Harry Dabbs May be found for $100 or less on Ebay- an outstanding value for that price Bridle may run a bit small; check measurements. Holes may need to be added, especially on the throatlash. Jimmy’s 20th/21st Century- $$$$$ One of the premier manufacturers of hunter bridles Options include wide noseband for Warmbloods Quality can vary between pieces; best to see before you buy Ovation- $$ Sometimes mistaken for more expensive models Good value Good customer service Pessoa- $$$ Dark chestnut color oils well to dark bay Unpadded A/O model handsome on petite-headed horse Some pieces may oil unevenly Showmark- $$ Opinions vary: some models are excellent quality, others substandard Known to stretch over time- order one size smaller than normal Vespucci- $$ Thick padding suitable for a larger head Single crown Wylde Hunter and Jumper Bridles- $$$ Thick padding suitable for larger head Single crown Leather of substandard quality for this price Best for… Large heads: generally, a larger head will require a wider, taller, padded browband and noseband to help balance the head. Antares Hunter Bridle Arc de Triomphe Tribute Beval Heritage Wide Cavesson Bridle Bobby's English Tack #1515 Circuit Grand Prix Edgewood 3/4” Raised Padded Bridle Hadfield’s Raised Padded Bridle Jimmy’s Wide Noseband Vespucci Petite heads: generally, a petite horse will be flattered best with a narrow bridle without padding. Arc de Triomphe Renaissance Beval New Canaan Pessoa A/O Best value: these bridles are generally agreed to be good values for their price, in appearance, quality of leather, and durability, as well as their versatility- these bridles can and have gone from schooling in the back forty to showing indoors. Bobby's English Tack Collegiate Dover Circuit Grand Prix Henri de Rivel Jaguar (Ebay) Ovation



CDNjumpergirl	Mar 17 2007, 10:37 AM Post #2
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 111 Group: Members Member #188 Joined: January 7, 2007	You are my hero of the day! That's such a fantastic resource.



Sing Mia Song	Mar 17 2007, 02:19 PM Post #3
I'm from the Government and I'm here to help. Posts: 892 Group: Members Member #290 Joined: January 9, 2007	Golf clap! Awesome! This is a great resource. I hope we get one for helmets and saddles. In fact, if I wasn't so freakin' lazy, I'd do the helmet one. Hmmm...



HJ049	Mar 17 2007, 03:38 PM Post #4
Thomas H. Cruise! Posts: 650 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: January 6, 2007	Great resource thanks!!!



naters	Mar 17 2007, 08:09 PM Post #5
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,679 Group: Members Member #86 Joined: January 6, 2007	Can we add Vespucci?



lunchbox	Mar 17 2007, 10:11 PM Post #6
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 148 Group: Members Member #104 Joined: January 6, 2007	Wow, I love this!!! When I read the bridle threads on TOB I get a headache, trying to sort through it all. Thank you!!! On the TOB some people were recommending Vespucci, others didn't like them. Any thoughts? Can you add this bridle to your guide if you have any info? I have been considering buying one.



lunchbox	Mar 17 2007, 10:11 PM Post #7
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 148 Group: Members Member #104 Joined: January 6, 2007	Oooops I just saw that Naters already mentioned Vespucci!!!!



naters	Mar 17 2007, 10:47 PM Post #8
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,679 Group: Members Member #86 Joined: January 6, 2007	lunchbox Mar 17 2007, 09:11 PM Oooops I just saw that Naters already mentioned Vespucci!!!! Great minds think alike!!



Renn/aissance	Mar 18 2007, 12:57 PM Post #9
Hakuna matata! Posts: 1,946 Group: Admin Member #17 Joined: January 3, 2007	Anyone who has personal experience with Vespucci bridles, let me know, and I'd be glad to add them to the list. I don't know much about them.



HJ049	Mar 18 2007, 04:52 PM Post #10
Thomas H. Cruise! Posts: 650 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: January 6, 2007	Renn/aissance Mar 18 2007, 03:57 PM Anyone who has personal experience with Vespucci bridles, let me know, and I'd be glad to add them to the list. I don't know much about them. I've never owned one (wanted one, but padding is too much for my little mare's head <_< ), we have them at the tack shop I work at though. The leather appears to be of amazing quality. Although they are made in India, do not appear as though they are. My boss has one, and it has oiled up beautifully and very soft. They have a padding on the crown that rests against the head (I think it is called single or integrated crown?). They come in fancy stitched or plain raised, come with matching reins. Very soft & thick padding though, on the nose and under the noseband buckle. Padding is very wide, more sutible to a bigger head. They are usually found as plain raised, or fancy-stitched, but do come in square raised also, figure 8's & dressage, many options. They come in three different colors, very light newmarket, oakbark, and a dark havana. Sizing appears to run normal. They only come in Horse and Cob, though, although I think they may now come in pony, but no oversize, I'm pretty sure? That is about all I know about that, maybe someone with one, can add something? Here is the website, although it isn't very detailed: Vespucci Homepage



Lucassb	Mar 18 2007, 05:58 PM Post #11
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie! Posts: 177 Group: Members Member #400 Joined: January 17, 2007	Yay, bridle shopping - my favorite!! I do like the Antares bridles very much - but have to add the disclaimer for true hunter purists, it may be a bit more embellished than might be ideal. For the classic hunter look, I would suggest a Hadfields (assuming you can put up with their extremely rude "customer service.") If you buy a Hadfields, do try to get it in person. Dealing with them over the phone is challenging to say the least. Older New Cavalry bridles are quite fabulous, but in my opinion, the newer (last 2-3 yrs) ones are average at best. For that price point, you can do much better. Remember that Edgewoods come in a couple of quality/price points. The Edgewood Originals are very nice bridles and hold up well - but they do run large, and they stretch. A lot. They do oil up to a beautiful mahogany color, though. Beval bridles are very well made, but tend to run just a tiny bit small. The older New Canaan (plain, true square raised) is among my favorites, and very durable. The New Canaan reins are my all time favorites, and I use them on most of my bridles - despite the fact that they are caramel colored, and take a bit of work to make them the pretty mahogany color I prefer.



HJ049	Mar 18 2007, 06:18 PM Post #12
Thomas H. Cruise! Posts: 650 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: January 6, 2007	One bridle I love, all though not a very popular brand is the Northrun (makes the Ashland saddle) When I was bridle shopping, this was my favorite. I got it from my local tack shop, although not many sells them. It was pretty soft when I bought it, but now it is buttery soft, after I oiled and conditioned it, and is absolutely gorgeous . I love the classic dark palin raised look which is what attracted me to it. There is not a part on it that isn't supple, it is a light havana sort of, not so dark it looks black, which is the color I love. It is beautifully made in England, and not a bad price for the quality either IMO. And the men who own Northrun are extremely nice, I have met/spoke with them a few times and they are always great to deal with. Here is a pic of it. Northrun Bridle



naters	Mar 18 2007, 07:34 PM Post #13
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,679 Group: Members Member #86 Joined: January 6, 2007	I do have a vespucci, but havent taken the tags off of it yet for fear of not being able to return it if the bridle guide says it was awful!!!



equusrocks	Mar 18 2007, 07:50 PM Post #14
Magical Leopluridon Posts: 751 Group: Members Member #82 Joined: January 6, 2007	Anyone notice if the Dover circuits seemed to be made of a couple "different" pieces of leather?? Mine didn't darken on a couple pieces, and darkened siginificantly on others...It looks silly.



HJ049	Mar 18 2007, 07:56 PM Post #15
Thomas H. Cruise! Posts: 650 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: January 6, 2007	equusrocks Mar 18 2007, 10:50 PM Anyone notice if the Dover circuits seemed to be made of a couple "different" pieces of leather?? Mine didn't darken on a couple pieces, and darkened siginificantly on others...It looks silly. I did notice that when I had one. I got one for my mare for a show bridle, but the padding was too much for her little head. While the leather did soften up, I noticed some pieces absorbed oil very well getting very dark, while other pieces took repeat applications to get to darken at all. It isn't bad quality for the price, and it was hardly noticeable, but drove me nuts everytime I cleaned it.



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