What should be considered when choosing a bridle?

What should be considered when choosing a bridle?

The bridle for most riders is one of the most important elements of ammunition. Their choice on the market is so great that you can choose a product that meets any, even the most sophisticated requirements. In this article, you will learn about what you should pay attention to when choosing a bridle so that it is comfortable for the horse and will serve you for a long time.

Choosing a bridle is not as easy as it seems, because you need to combine your aesthetic preferences, comfort for the horse and the possibilities of the budget allotted for the purchase.

Let’s say we limit our search by budget and try to find a bridle that costs around $200. Before you will be no less than 10 different options presented by several manufacturers of horse ammunition. And that’s just in one store. If you look in other stores, you will find new offers. And there are also online stores.

If your budget is small, then keep in mind that the quality of the leather and the level of workmanship should be the main thing for you. It is these factors that will determine how long the bridle will last you. At the same time, of course, we must not forget that the guarantee of longevity will continue to be the care of the bridle during its operation!

So what do you need to pay attention to?

When choosing a bridle you need to consider the size and shape of your horse’s head. Wide nosepieces are popular these days, but if they don’t fit well on your horse, then of course you shouldn’t buy them.

On a large head with strong bones, bridles with wider straps look good. Sometimes they come with wide backings that make them visually wider.

If the horse has a miniature head, then the bridle should also not be “heavy” – pay attention to models with narrower straps.

Bridles PS of Sweden is a good example of how the use of decorative elements can aesthetically balance a horse’s head. On these bridles, decorative ornaments are present not only on the foreheadbut also on the capsule. HThe frontal straps with different design solutions can be changed without removing the bridle or disassembling it. Mounts are reliable buttons.

A clean, not torn, well-fitting bridle is the decoration of your horse’s head.

The bridle must fit your horse, but determining it is not always easy. Often difficulties arise with the size of the forehead strap. More expensive bridles are often sold without a forehead strap – you can buy it separately or order it from the manufacturer.

If you are going to buy a bridle, then take with you old or measure the horse’s head. You will need the following indicators:

1. The circumference of the nose where the primer is located.

2. The width of the forehead between the two points where the forehead will meet the bridle.

3. The length of the bridle (measured from the snaffle attachment point on one side, through the back of the head and to the snaffle attachment point on the other side). 4. Length of the chinstrap (measured from behind the ear, down under the ganaches and to the point behind the other ear).

Consider the fact that the bridle over time may stretch.

The next thing you need to think about is horse comfort level. Manufacturers of horse ammunition usually pay great attention to this factor.

For greater comfort in the design of the bridles, soft pads for the capsule and the neck strap are increasingly being provided. Also, the neck strap is sometimes made in the form of a single element, so that two straps, overlapping each other, do not press on the back of the horse’s head.

This design is great suitable for horses that do not like to be touched in the area of ​​​​the bangs, nape and ears. If your horse is shaking his head, plugging his ears, or showing other signs of anxiety, you may need to take a closer look at your bridle and change it to a different one.

Most comfort-oriented bridles are designed so that these modifications are not visible from the outside. You will not be penalized for using such a bridle in competition.

With the advent of new designs of bridles, many new terms appeared in the equestrian lexicon. For example, such as “mono”, “single”, “integrated”, “recessed”, “comfort” and “anatomical”. In some cases, manufacturers use different terms to describe the same items.

Let’s see what exactly they mean: Mono and single occipital straps: the occipital part of the bridle is one element. Capsule, cheek and chin strap connected at the back of the head. Integrated or recessed neck strap: Its structure is similar to mono or single belt. The belt capsule is integrated or located in the deepening of the occipital part of the frenulum. Comfort or anatomic neck strap: the occipital part of the bridle has a special anatomical shape, recesses for the ears are provided.

The quality of the leather matters a lot.

Even 15-20 years ago, products from only a few manufacturers were presented on the market, and it was almost impossible to choose based on such a parameter as leather quality (or one had to rely on significant expenses). The price of quality leather is high even now, but not so much!

High quality leather is very durable and has no defects. Many types of leather are designated by the place of their production (Sedgwick, English, American, etc.). Often leather is produced in one place and processed and marked in another.

However, sometimes the process of tanning and finishing is more important than the quality of the raw material.

The best for bridles is vegetable tanned leather. During this process, the color permeates the entire fiber structure. If you bend the belt, the skin on the cut will not change color. A bridle that has been dyed in the usual way will not pass this test. In addition, if a cheap dye was used, the bridle will shed in the rain and leave marks on the horse’s coat, getting wet with sweat.

Defining a quality item. If you rarely buy bridles, then it may be difficult for you to tell the difference between $50 and $500 bridles. To determine whether the item is of high quality or not, whether the bridle will serve you for a long time or it will last for a season, pay attention to the following points:

1. Stitch quality. See if the stitching is neatly done on the headband and capsule. Are the stitches even, are the stitch lines straight? Are the connection points sewn or riveted? The latter method is cheaper and at the same time loses in reliability. Is the stitching tight and tight? Does the thread look thick and strong? 2. Inspect the forehead strap and capsule. Expensive bridles use leather inserts that give a rounded shape to the capsule and forehead. The cheaper ones are plastic. Plastic inserts are not as flexible and can break. 3. Fasteners and holes. Assess how strong the fasteners are, whether moving parts move well. Were the holes punched correctly (inlet smaller, outlet, on the wrong side, larger)? 4. Check the edges of the straps. The front side of the belt will be smooth, without scratches, the wrong side – also smooth, but more grainy.

The importance of proper care.

Without proper and timely care, even the most expensive bridle can quickly become unusable. In addition, a well-groomed product will look much better on a horse! There are also bridles (of the highest price category), which do not need to be lubricated – they already contain a certain amount of wax and tannins and become softer with time when worn.

Ammunition manufacturers often include appropriate care instructions for bridles. Some even produce special lines of cosmetics for the skin, designed specifically for their products. Don’t question the manufacturer’s recommendations, even if they go against your skincare guidelines.

The fact is that in some cases the usual practice of lubricating a new frenulum with fat can be detrimental to the skin. Over-oiling can break down the fibers in leather, especially if it’s not expensive. Often cheap bridles have taped seams, and the oil breaks down the adhesive.

Kim F. Miller; translation by Valeria Smirnova (a source)