| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| martha615 |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 3:28:13 PM
Hi,
Am I correct in saying that if you don't have an arab with a too extreme head, a cob sized bridle might be okay?
I found this one on sale and I thought I might try it for Esme:
http://www.discount-equestrian.co.uk/horsewear/bridles/cavesson-bridles/jhl-pro-raised-cavesson-bridle-clearance-cob-brown.html
Esme doesn't think she wants a bit, and I agree with her that she doesn't want one....but I would like her to have the thing in her mouth just doing nothing and continue to ride in the halter/rope. One day we might be able to use a bit, or not, as required.
So, I'm just looking for an inexpensive bridle.
Thanks in advance. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 22 Feb 2013 : 9:50:34 PM
That is true about stopping in a halter. I was amazed that Smokey stops in a halter even when she hasn't been ridden for two months and a bird flies up behind a hedge. I am convinced that in a bridle I would have gone for her muth out of instinct to stop, yet bridle less she just jumps and stops herself. Fighting a bit causes more problems than it solves. |
| martha615 |
Posted - 21 Feb 2013 : 1:58:56 PM
Great help guys, thank you! I think I'm going to get a libby's half bridle to start with so that it can hang separately from the rope halter and not be involved at all, and not weigh much.
I just want to see how she feels about a bit in her mouth. I'm trying to do more with her mouth in preparation for the dentist arriving in April, and because it would be great to have the flexibility of using a bit in the future.
I can tell you this -- she is no trouble to stop unless she gets scared of something. And if she gets scared of something you absolutely will not stop her with a bit anyway! Here is a little trouble we found while out and about today -- now she was pretty good with everything but the steam roller!
 |
| proctorclaire |
Posted - 21 Feb 2013 : 1:20:40 PM
Defo mix and match. Mine are in a cob but the noseband is always to big. I have stopped riding with a noseband so doesn't really apply to me. They should make a special size inbetween pony and cob :).
My non Arab mare is also an awkward size. A cob is just that bit to tight but full is far to big! |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 21 Feb 2013 : 08:33:57 AM
Good for you staying bitless Martha. She can get used to the bit being in her mouth without having to cope with contact. Perhaps over zealous use of the bit caused her to rear in the first place so you won't have to worry about spoiling the trust you have built up with her for now.
Me too, cob size bridle with a full size browband (for the brain space an arab needs) you probably won't need the noseband. |
| martha615 |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 7:47:50 PM
You know, I looked at the zilco bridles and you can buy just the bridle part, which attaches by snaps to the head piece of the halter. So, I could perhaps just add the bridle to the halter I already have, which is a little rope halter, and let the bit sit in her mouth without using it for awhile.
Anyone else ever do this? Sounds very convenient to use the Zilco if you are loading a horse to take on a hack! You can load them in the halter, then add the bridle part when you get to the destination. |
| MinHe |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 7:34:22 PM
Even 'non-extreme' Arabs can be a bugger to fit off the shelf - with all mine, I have ended up with a cob headpiece and pony cavesson/cheekpieces. As has been said, about the only ones that DO fit off the shelf are Zilco ones, because they are made specifically to fit Arabs 
Keren |
| Sasha Melia |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 7:02:45 PM
I can vouch for Townfields Saddlers too, I bought their 'show' bridle in cob size with the nice narrow cheeks and I got a specially made slim hunter noseband which is inbetween a pony and a cob size. The cob sized noseband that came with the bridle fitted ok, but it was doing up on the tightest hole so there was a lot of unnecessary leather there if you know what I mean! Anyway they made the noseband to a bespoke size for no extra cost than an off the shelf noseband, and they did it quickly too, great service! |
| martha615 |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 6:49:51 PM
Some great tips here -- thank you! |
| SuziQ |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 6:11:50 PM
I've always had to mix and match too, though at the moment Kas 14hh Arab fits my large pony leather bridle beautifully, though she is fairly disgusted at the lovely KK ultra in her mouth, Millie fits a cob size bridle but with pony cheek pieces so I am having the cheek pieces on the English heritage bridle shortened so it all matches, she is just over 15hh.
Why dont you have a look on online auction site.. the bridle kas is wearing cost me £10 inc P and P and is lovely and soft, I bought it for a dartie youngster I was backing and didnt want to spend a fortune after she trashed one . |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 5:06:34 PM
What a bargain Triskar!
Caryn |
| Triskar |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 4:52:28 PM
I bought a lovely dark green leather bridle (cob size) from Dever Saddlery - in their clearance section - for £20 including reins, which fits my boy. They were realy helpful when I rang them; they measured everything for me so that I knew it would fit! I was so pleased I bought a burgundy one for my mare! |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 4:35:44 PM
Arabs generally require a bit of "mix & match" - cob-sized headpiece and noseband, pony length cheeks and a full-sized browband. I personally like bridles in 1/2"leather and bought Chips's from Townfield Saddlery who were happy to mix & match and had all sizes in the 1/2" (sometimes that can be a problem as often the cob sized elements are 5/8" or 3/4").
The bridle you've featured looks ok but I bet the cheeks will be too long!
Caryn |
| Etoile |
Posted - 20 Feb 2013 : 4:19:03 PM
Depends on whether you're specifically after something in leather or not, but it might be worth considering a zilco type bridle/halter combo. They're about £40, come in arab size and you could have the bit in but connect your reins to the halter ring. |
