I bought this bridle at some point

[newforest]

I think I was looking into whether or not this design would sit better than the drop noseband.
I

If ride tomorrow trying out a new bridle isn't up there with yes let's do that.
But has anyone tried these ergonomic ones? I like the positioning of the flash, though she's not as a rule in anything bar the drop.

 

[Jessey]

I don’t use a flash so not tried these, but I’m in the same boat with got a bridle months ago and not tried it yet, I got Monkey one of these from horsemanship saddlery

but the lack of throat lash on the itchy mr L’Oréal pony has put me off trying it, I really must order a throat lash to add!

 

[Bodshi]

Interesting. I had thought of getting an ergonomic bridle for AJ because of his head tossing/shaking. Now that his anxiety levels are reducing we are still left with some irritable head shaking, but I'm sure it is mainly due to actual physical irritation. Major clues are that it's worse when his ears get sweaty and - big giveaway - at a clinic at the weekend he tried to scratch his ear with a hind foot while I was sitting on him. At least I know his balance is ok.

As an experiment I've taken off his browband. He already doesn't have a noseband so there's not much left. Trouble with the ergonomic bridles is that they all seem quite bulky and a) I don't really like the look of them and b) not sure how AJ would feel about having that much leather on his face.

Still pondering.

Looks like I'm breaking wind here but I don't remember doing that in the middle of the clinic it was a western clinic and I think AJ is looking quite western .. but his head is too dainty for a bulky bridle isn't it.

 

[Jessey]

Monkey often scratches an ear with a foot when we’re out, it’s a bit unnerving! I got it because he has quite a fleshy base to his ears and both the zilco and his plain bridle dig into them a bit and although the ergonomic is bulkier there, the shape is supposed to make it sit on top of the atlas rather than into the groove in front of it, so I was hoping it would reduce the sweating around his ears that seems to bother him too.
Aj’s head is dainty, but you can get them without a noseband.

 

[Bodshi]

I will have to revisit, thanks. I could do with a bridle fitter but the only one I could find in the area seems to be linked to one particular make. Are bridle fitters a thing? I'm sure someone on here had one, poss @GaryB ?

 

[newforest]

The only reason mine has the drop on is to discourage her from stopping and stuffing when we are out. A leg on and flick from the stick is met with a few flicks of her own!
The idea of the flash is for a similar reason.

It's the Shires one.

 

[newforest]

I will have to revisit, thanks. I could do with a bridle fitter but the only one I could find in the area seems to be linked to one particular make. Are bridle fitters a thing? I'm sure someone on here had one, poss @GaryB ?

I think it was @Jane&Ziggy

The only way I could be sure of fit is if I got all the parts individually, I think Jefferies do it that way. She's an Arab face.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

@Bodshi I did use a bridle consultant to help fit Sid. Like @Jessey 's Monkey he has very fleshy bases to his ears and had had an infection there as well, so I was being super careful. She was excellent, but she was indeed connected to one particular manufacturer of anatomical bridles, https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk . The bridle she sold us fits beautifully and Sid has gone sweetly in it for a couple of years now. Their website will tell you if they have a fitter in your area - I think you are in Derbyshire, aren't you? There is one listed. I do recommend the product, though obviously I didn't use that fitter.

 

[Trewsers]

Interesting. I had thought of getting an ergonomic bridle for AJ because of his head tossing/shaking. Now that his anxiety levels are reducing we are still left with some irritable head shaking, but I'm sure it is mainly due to actual physical irritation. Major clues are that it's worse when his ears get sweaty and - big giveaway - at a clinic at the weekend he tried to scratch his ear with a hind foot while I was sitting on him. At least I know his balance is ok.

As an experiment I've taken off his browband. He already doesn't have a noseband so there's not much left. Trouble with the ergonomic bridles is that they all seem quite bulky and a) I don't really like the look of them and b) not sure how AJ would feel about having that much leather on his face.

Still pondering.

Looks like I'm breaking wind here but I don't remember doing that in the middle of the clinic it was a western clinic and I think AJ is looking quite western .. but his head is too dainty for a bulky bridle isn't it.

View attachment 128532

Lol I did wonder what you were doing there, sitting a little up and forwards hahahahaha. Yes, I know the trying to scratch ear with hind leg.................!

 

[Bodshi]

@Bodshi I did use a bridle consultant to help fit Sid. Like @Jessey 's Monkey he has very fleshy bases to his ears and had had an infection there as well, so I was being super careful. She was excellent, but she was indeed connected to one particular manufacturer of anatomical bridles, https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk . The bridle she sold us fits beautifully and Sid has gone sweetly in it for a couple of years now. Their website will tell you if they have a fitter in your area - I think you are in Derbyshire, aren't you? There is one listed. I do recommend the product, though obviously I didn't use that fitter.

Fabulous, thank you. I'm in Yorkshire but there are 3 on the list that cover my area I think. I'll do a bit of digging to see which I like the sound of best.

 

[GaryB]

I will have to revisit, thanks. I could do with a bridle fitter but the only one I could find in the area seems to be linked to one particular make. Are bridle fitters a thing? I'm sure someone on here had one, poss @GaryB ?

It was me - and I have a horsemanship saddlery bridle. There is a list on their website - I used Rachel Fuller. Definitely something I would recommend - I started the process because Harvey was unhappy in his mouth. She spend about 30 minutes on the ground measuring and checking his head and mouth, and then about 30 minutes ridden (with me riding). I ended up with new bridle and bit which Harvey was much happier with

 

[newforest]

I went to the bit bank for her bit as she was happy. First one they suggested she's still in as she's still happy.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

Oh I forgot about that, she suggested a different bit too - not very different but Sid has been happier in his mouth since.