8 minute read
BRIDLES Which Is Right For Your Horse
CHOOSING the CORRECT BRIDLE for your HORSE
Story and Photos Provided By
Advertisement
Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE ©2020 Saddlefit 4 Life® All Rights Reserved www.saddlefit4life.com www.saddlesforwomen.com
Obviously there are
many considerations...
When looking at the popular variations of bridles available on the market. For all of the different designs, remember that nosebands which are too restrictive can cause the horse to focus on the tension and pressure in and on his head, limiting the ability to focus and respond with proper muscle movement in the rest of his body. The horse’s biology does not change from discipline to discipline in riding, even though the ‘head-restraining devices’ do – all of which are designed to control and communicate to the horse what the rider wants. The horse will learn what to do to relieve pressure and discomfort, which can have further ramifications at the distal end of the body as he attempts to avoid pain. Give the horse the freedom to communicate using its mouth – comfort will result in a quiet, relaxed jaw and mouth.
COMBINATION Bridle or SNAFFLE WITH A FLASH NOSEBAND (rolled reins, throatlatch, cheekpieces, and noseband)
This commonly used type has an additional flash to assist in keeping the horse’s mouth shut (and the tongue in). The noseband should be buckled high enough to avoid interfering with the (generally) snaffle bit. (above)
ENGLISH Bridle or SNAFFLE Bridle
SWEDISH Bridle or SNAFFLE WITH A FLASH NOSEBAND
Extra padding under the noseband buckle makes this more comfortable than the English style bridle. Other than that, it is very similar to the combination bridle, with the extra flash. Care must be taken that the anatomy of the head allows enough room to buckle both the noseband and the flash properly. Horses with relatively smaller heads do well with this type. This bridle is often buckled too tightly, given the false sense of ‘comfort’ the extra padding at the noseband provides. TR AINING & Showing
The noseband on this bridle should lie 1-2 fingers below the zygomatic arch. It is popular for thoroughbreds, who prefer more freedom in their mouths. If your horse likes to put his tongue over the bit, this is not a style for you. Using a rolled noseband puts more pressure on the nose as well.
CTraining lassical
The noseband lies about 4 fingers above the nostrils past the bit. This style used to be much more popular, but it is not a pretty looking bridle. It relays the pressure from the reins directly from the lower jaw onto the nose. It does prevent horses from putting their tongues over the bit. Some riders still prefer to use this as it has less leather and buckles, which lowers the risk of impacting sensitive nerves and acupuncture points.
Loose snaffle rings and the ability to breathe without hindrance are two of the main attractions of this bridle. It is easily recognizable, having crossing leather straps over the nose with a leather rosette in the centre. The upper piece crosses the zygomatic arch. The only pressure point is in the centre from the rosette piece. It has only recently been allowed for use in dressage rings. The only danger is if it is buckled too tightly and thus pushes the bit up into the corners of the lips.
MEXICAN, GRACKLE or FIGURE 8 Bridle
Rene Gasser
of Gala of the Royal Horses, is accep�ng a limited number of horses for training in
Dressage in Ocala, Florida. Limited spaces are available for riding students as well.
Rene will bring out the best in your horse! Training for 3rd Level and above.
Full board is included with training package.
This bitless option puts pressure on the nose through a lever action at the sides of the noseband. Although probably effective for a while, the horse soon gets accustomed to the pressure on the nose and becomes less responsive over time. It’s a good alternative for interim use if a horse has an injury in the mouth, but there is almost no substitute for the necessary additional aid of an outside rein in the higher classes.
The noseband lies about 4 fingers above the nostrils past the bit. This style used to be much more popular, but it is not a pretty looking bridle. It relays the pressure from the reins directly from the lower jaw onto the nose. It does prevent horses from putting their tongues over the bit. Some riders still prefer to use this as it has less leather and buckles, which lowers the risk of impacting sensitive nerves and acupuncture points.
MEXICAN, GRACKLE or FIGURE 8 Bridle
Loose snaffle rings and the ability to breathe without hindrance are two of the main attractions of this bridle. It is easily recogniz able, having crossing leather straps over the nose with a leather rosette in the centre. The upper piece crosses the zygomatic arch. The only pressure point is in the centre from the rosette piece. It has only recently been allowed for use in dressage rings. The only danger is if it is buckled too tightly and thus pushes the bit up into the corners of the lips.
MICKLEM Bridle
This option has an extra strap attach ing the bit to the bridle. It is extremely comfortable for the horse, and supports the ‘chewing’ motion.
I found this excellent checklist regarding the use of nosebands for you to consider: • Educate yourself on the nerves, functions, and anatomy of the horse’s head. • How sensitive is your horse? Highly sensitive horses do best with no nosebands or loose ones. • Determine the best type to fit your horse’s nose shape and head conformation. • Your horse still needs to have full physiological movement: yawn, swallow and lick its lips. • Use padding judiciously – most bridles are already made to provide full comfort and extra padding can increase the pres- sure. • LISTEN to your horse. Tension creates tension; restriction creates restriction.
Jochen Schleese, German Certified Master Saddler and Saddle Ergonomist, teaches saddle fit principles to protect horse and rider from long-term damage caused by ill-fi�ing saddles. www.saddlefit4life.com 702-370-1199 info@saddlefit4life.com www.saddlesforwomen.com
A Horse, Of Course
By Don Blazer
Only you can answer; but maybe you don’t want to know. Ignorance is bliss so they say, and in this instance, it may be best to simply enjoy a state of blissfulness.
Did you pay too much for your saddle? Or did you get a bargain?
What might be more important than having gotten a bargain or having paid too much in the past, is how best to shop for your next saddle.
Today’s “using” saddles can be priced from several hundred dollars to more than $8,500…and specialty or antique saddles can easily range into the tens of thousands.
The keys to a perfect saddle purchase are: value, fit, fit and fit.
Value is paying a fair price for the saddle, and a fair price can be defined as “exchanged worth.” You are going to give so many dollars and you want the saddle to be an “equal exchange” for those dollars. So it’s a matter of perception…if dollars don’t mean much…then the number of dollars you pay doesn’t mean much. On the other hand, if dollars mean something, you better be getting your money’s worth.
When you decide to buy a saddle you are saying, “I want this particular desire fulfilled.” You need to be pretty well focused on what that desire is, and what can fulfill it. No wishy-washy idea will do.
To help you identify and fulfill your desire, three things are mandatory: fit, fit and fit.
Know the kind of saddle you want!
can’t do that, the saddle is no bargain. (If the sad dle is being shipped from a far away maker, then you should have the right to return it if it doesn’t fit the horse…be reasonable…you don’t need to ride the horse more than a few minutes to determine fit.)
If the saddle is custom built, the saddle maker will want measurement of your horse in order to determine the proper tree, skirt lengths, gullet, etc.
Finally, the price must fit your budget. It doesn’t matter if you can spend $1 million on a saddle—set a budget so you’ll get a saddle that satisfies your definition of “value.”
Here are a couple of “save dollars” shopping tips: if you are ordering a custom built saddle, tell the saddle maker the highest amount you’ll pay, and then let him design to fit the budget. Saddle makers can be very creative and stay within the budget… see the design, then decide. If the design doesn’t thrill you, shop another saddle maker.
Buying a used saddle that fits, fits and fits, plus is eye-appealing to you is often a better value than getting a new saddle.
62 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com E E The saddle must fit you! English or western, jumping or cutting, pleasure or gaming, you must be comfortable in the saddle at all times, all the time. A saddle that makes you think about it when you are riding is overpriced at any price. When you are riding, your saddle should be so comfortable that you never think about it. No matter the price, you’ve paid too much if the saddle doesn’t fit your horse. If you are buying a ready-made saddle, you must have the opportunity to “try it—on your horse—before you buy it.” If you When it comes to silver, more is less. If you are buying custom only have “sterling” silver used; silver plate and other imitations fade fast and are dollars wasted. You can get what you want at a price you are willing to pay, and it will be a bargain if it fits, fits and fits.
If it doesn’t fit three ways, you’ve paid too much!
