Happy Monday!

Hello blogger world. I have so much to talk about this week that it's almost ridiculous. I will try to break it up throughout the week so you don't get stuck reading huge massive monster posts.

As you maybe recall, my Micklem competition bridle came on Thursday and I was excited to try it out. I'd never touched one before, so I'll give you a brief review.

LOVE. That is it.

The leather quality is nicer than I expected for the MSRP. The bridle with reins is available at Dover for $176, I believe. While I'd hardly group it with my nunn finer bridle in terms of leather quality, it's definitely nicer than I expected and should hold up well.

In fact, I know it holds up well because I facebook stalked the girl I bought it from and there are pictures from several years ago of her competing in it. Creepy, but effective.

Anyways. All stalking aside, I loff loff loff the contoured comfort crown that's all one piece. It's easy to handle and just fits her head. Like it was made to be there.

Here is the lovely mare herself modeling it. It's super easy to put on--just slip it in to place, buckle the throatlatch (jawlatch?) and the noseband (chinstrap?).

A couple thoughts: I absolutely love the jawstrap/throatlatch thing. It makes so much more sense to me than a traditional throatlatch. It in no way interferes with her breathing and actually serves to stabilize the bridle on her head and keep it out of her eyes. Perfect!

I also really like the noseband section. I've been contemplating a flash bridle because I do like the bit stability added by the flash, but I'm just not wild about attempting to tie a horse's mouth shut. (Oh, and she doesn't react well to artificial restrictions, so it was not a happy picture in my head when I considered trying it out.) This gives me the bit stability option without the flash option and it's fabulous. It can also be used bitless, which we'll probably tackle eventually.

You might have noticed that I didn't talk about performance improvements. There are a few reasons for that.

1) I have used it a total of three times, which is hardly enough for a decent analysis.

2) It was a long shot that it would actually fix our headshaking problem anyways--I think that's got more to do with attitude and back pain.

3) Izzy is used to me putting all kinds of crazy contraptions on her anyways, so I don't really think we're looking at a tack problem.

Anyways. Gushing aside, the Micklem bridle is a definite keeper.

Saturday was awesome, too. We had a photoshoot with one of my super talented friends.

It was raining, but we got some lovely shots.

I love this one. We are adorable.

Izzy is not so sure that the photographer is in an acceptable location. I love her expression.

Throughout the whole shoot, she was being ridiculously adorable. Very personable, cute, and curious.

I love this mare.

Cute mare in the pouring rain.

So dramatic. I'll post more throughout the week, I think.