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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Trouble in Bridle Paradise

It's possible you've noticed that I'm a bit of a tack ho. At last count, I owned (gulp) seven bridles. It breaks down like this:
See by this logic I really need two more. It would make a better infograph.
Top: Cob size Nunn Finer Figure 8, Horse size Nunn Finer event bridle, Cob Size Aramas fancy stitich.
Middle: Cob Size Circuit figure 8, Cob size M Tolouse fancy stitch, Horse size Mark Todd with flash.
Bottom: Cob size micklem, TBA, TBA.

Despite his mellow look here
Anyways. People think that's a lot, but it really isn't. Courage can't even fit in the two horse size entries. The Mark Todd is out on loan because it's too pretty to sit around and the other one, well...

S the biomechanics instructor has me ride in a loose cavesson to keep everything super mild. That's all well and good since I have um... three... of those, but sometimes I get bored. I stuck the little bay horse in a figure eight last week and yeah. Ladies, meet C-RAGE. Not even kidding. Despite the fact that most of the riding we did last year and this spring was in either a micklem or figure eight, SOMEONE's little brain COULD.NOT.DEAL.

Not at all. It was bad. (Oh, and he also doesn't do full cheek keepers, in case anyone was wondering. Yes, I tried.)

D'awwww
So. Horse size bridles out. Figure eights out. Micklem out. The M Toulouse is on loan to everyone's favorite Prisoner, so that's out too. It's also just a hair small for Courage, so that's ok.

Realistically, that leaves me with the Aramas that I stole off of ETT but has a broken keeper and then my ridiculously patched together bridle that I flat in. It's the body of the (borrowed!! thanks Ellie!!) Nunn Finer Figure 8, the cavesson off the horse size model, and a horse size browband with fancy laced reins I threw on because they're pretty.





This face needs more bridles
So how does a tack 'ho end up with essentially 1.5 bridles?

I don't know and it isn't right.

Who wants to go bridle shopping?? I'm looking for recommendations for something that I don't already have but would want to own. I like details and nice leather and Courage can't do more than about an inch of cavesson, so nothing too huge.

What's everybody wanting?

20 comments:

  1. I don't know that I can necessarily help you with your bridle troubles. But what I can tell you is that I think Courage could wear a burlap sack on his face and still look pretty.....handsome. I mean handsome :)

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  2. I don't own many bridles so I can't help you too much...but HDR's are really, really nice (especially the leather) for the price. My friend just got one and I really like it. The only other bridle I could recommend is the Albion KB bridle - exceptional leather with all the bells and whistles/customization you could ask for....with a very heavy price tag. I love mine more than anything though and can't recommend it enough.

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  3. You need more bridles! I'm a fan of Pessoa bridle work, and I've been eye-ing the Beval Conquer bridle line--not too expensive & they come with reins ...

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  4. This makes me feel a lot better about my own 4 bridles. The PS of Sweden should be here next week, pretty darn excited.

    If the Aramas fits your needs, why not just get the keeper repaired?

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    1. How is this a question? Repair the keeper AND get a new bridle. :-p

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    2. Good point. I would have suggested an Aramas anyway though, so I'm no use. Unless I like the PS, then you should get one of those. ;)

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    3. Damn you for getting me shopping the PS site!! I'm not really in to the model you got, but I found one I really want. What's the shipping/buying process like?

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  5. Aw geeze, I'm obsessed with bridles.

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  6. Sorry can offer no advice, but am totally looking forward to shopping vicariously through you & the gorgeous Courage. We will of course need lots of photos of him modeling any and all options! *grin*

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  7. I really, really like Vespucci's -- the monocrown and padded chin strap are amazing and have helped Miles tremendously. He gives more easily through the poll and doesn't brace with his jaw as much.

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  8. Is it totally weird that I'm beyond thrilled that Paddy has ONE custom dressage bridle, and that's all? No need to worry past that, we're set until he needs a double! ;)

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  9. oooh yay for shopping! i'm pretty useless re: fancy tack knowledge, as my interests are typically just in functionality... but i like ogling other ppl's new stuff :)

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  10. Like 900 FB I'm obsessed with the PS tack. I have an aramas and love it. Can't find others of the same quality for that price I don't think. Def vote for getting the keeper repaired or replaced- shouldn't be pricey- my local repair place prob would be around 10 for a new one I think- don't remember.

    I currently have 3 bridles. Aramas, no name, and edgewood.

    I am eyeing the PS bridles though...

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  11. I want a figure 8, but I won't be buying any bridles for quite some time!

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  12. No real expertise here- I just took a look at the PS website and am looking forward to seeing a review once 900FB gets hers. I went back and forth between an Edgewood and the Smartpak Nantucket- and went with the Nantucket because it included reins. Overall I really like the bridle!

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  13. But Courage looks so adorable in the figure 8s. Too bad he doesn't like them.

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  14. Well here's a brand you most definitely won't have or probably even have heard of: http://www.hinterland.net.nz/shop.html
    Lovely soft leather, and very well made. The prices are in New Zealand dollars.

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  15. I'm not much help with the bridle brands, but it's not really bad to have 1.5 bridles is it? I mean whatever works right? Just kidding. Have fun bridle shopping!

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  16. Drop noseband...I know people don't like them - but they are wonderful. Could also be where the bit sits...some horses prefer it to hang lower with just one wrinkle.

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  17. I recently ripped off the figure 8 noseband on my jumper bridle AND the flash on my dressage bridle. Honestly I think Wiz is so much happier and less worried with them off. He started this thing of clicking his teeth together (which he still does in the jumper bridle when he's tense, even without the 8) but it's a LOT better with the nose bands OFF. I think I'm done with nosebands. At least for now. SO, I too need to go bridle shopping....

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