Looking to upgrade from my leather bridle..... what are your preferences, pros and cons please? I'm looking at zilco and performance equine..... any advice much appreciated.
Well call me old fashioned but I still use my leather one, I do not do huge distances egb but have found as long as you look after the leather properly and treat it with plenty of leather cream then the leather stays lovely and soft. I Have a zilco breastplate but it has rubbed my mare who has very sensitive skin on more than one occasion so don,t use it anymore.
My preference is Pioneer Endurance bridles. Really good quality and very smart.
I also like Zilco, but find the newer SS bridles come up small (the older brass clip style were truer to size).
I've never had a Performance Equine bridle, but the owners of the company are really knowledgeable endurance people, and I've never heard anything untoward about their products.
Two of ours share the same leather bridle due to rubbing issues with Zilco - never had problems with sloshing water all over the leather. The third has a biothane bitless as no problems with bridles rubbing but cannot tolerate a bit. Use Zilco reins as when wet no slippage for them to take advantage of and even the soft, fluffy one will take advantage and yank the reins out of your hands if he thinks he can. Every horse is different so it's a case of trial and error until you find something which suits you both. We've found the internet e.g. eBay and other sites very good for buying second hand to try because can then resell if not suitable.
Endurance bridles
Posted - 21 Jul 2017 : 11:39:07 PM
