Flashes and cranks and where are the snaffle bridles these days? [Archive]

WWGeorgeMorrisD

Apr. 27, 2009, 02:49 PM

Ibex

Apr. 27, 2009, 02:50 PM

Flashes and cranks are still snaffle bridles...

But try eqtack.com - they have what you need.

DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:16 PM

I just took off the flash and use it with the little nub only.

LisaW-B

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:21 PM

Bobby's Bridles has some very nice, plain snaffle bridles, for a lot less than $200.

Alagirl

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:26 PM

Hell, for 200 have i custom made! :lol:

bort84

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:36 PM

Haha, I feel your pain. I just went through the process of trying to find a nice snaffle bridle for under $200 for my small headed horse... Wow. I couldn't find a bridle that came with everything I wanted for the price (leather reins, hook and stud ends, plain cavesson...)

Anyway, I ended up ordering what looked like a normal bridle from Dressage Extensions. I couldn't be happier with the leather quality (for $140), but the noseband was HUGE (and this was a cob size)! They must have had a draft modeling that thing in the picture. I decided to keep it, however, because they sent me a double bridle by mistake (closer to $200)... It's a lovely bridle and totally usable as a snaffle, so I kept it and am looking for the perfect cavesson separately = ) Plus, when my guy is ready for a double, I'll have one waiting for him, haha.

Anyway, that's not all that helpful, I just wanted to commiserate = ) I have heard very good things about Bobby's Bridles though. Also, some bridles (like the Kieffers) have a removable flash that allows the little tab to be taken off too, so the cavesson looks completely normal when the flash is removed.

Equibrit

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:51 PM

You can get a very reasonably priced one at http://www.foxhuntingshop.com/catalog/product364.html?__utma=1.1986922359.1240861873.124 0861873.1240861873.1&__utmb=1&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1240861873.1.1.utmccn%3D(referral)%7Cutmc sr%3Dchronicleforums.com%7Cutmcct%3D%2FForum%2Fsho wthread.php%7Cutmcmd%3Dreferral&__utmv=-&__utmk=18595130

buck22

Apr. 27, 2009, 03:55 PM

yes, I just sold my vespucci that fits that description, beautiful bridle... mine sold used under $100

dray

Apr. 27, 2009, 04:00 PM

I and also have about five Bobby's bridles and love them!

cu.at.x

Apr. 27, 2009, 04:35 PM

I agree, I don't like/use flashes and cranks. As others have said, just remove it and voila. :)

pluvinel

Apr. 27, 2009, 04:41 PM

I also hate the flash thingy....so I pay a local leather shop to open up the stitching and remove the loop.

Flashes look like an afterthought that was slapped on a conventional cavesson after the fact....there is no integrated design to the piece of harness.

JLR1

Apr. 27, 2009, 08:06 PM

I love my Bobby's bridle...very nice for the price.

pintopiaffe

Apr. 27, 2009, 08:43 PM

Libertyville Saddle Shop has some 'hunter' bridles available in black.

Their online shopping is a PITA, in my opinion, I used to love their big catalogue, which I guess is no more.

But it might be worth slogging through the online. The "Gold Medal" line is lovely leather, very nice quality for the price.

KL Select has some nice bridles too, choice of nosebands. Similar quality to Bobby's, but more $$.

Bobby's are lovely. I really like some of the curved (wire) buckles.

HollysHobbies

Apr. 28, 2009, 09:50 AM

I go to used tack sales, actually, and have picked up the older type snaffle dressage bridles for cheap. I'm a different price braket though!

merrygoround

Apr. 28, 2009, 11:11 AM

KB bridles come either way. I have one with a plain cavesson.

Eclectic Horseman

Apr. 28, 2009, 11:21 AM

Schneiders has quite a variety under $200

http://www.sstack.com/

rothmpp

Apr. 28, 2009, 11:34 AM

Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth, but...

You can have a crank noseband and just not tighten it down. If it is the look that you don't like - then obviously this won't work, but if it is just that you don't need the crank/flash... I know several peole who have done that. I, myself, just take the flash off the bridle and leave the little loop. You never know when you may actually want the option to have the flash someday.

Equus_girl

Apr. 28, 2009, 12:11 PM

Go through Dover's sales and clearance pages.
I got wonderful rolled Warendorf bridle last October off Dover's catalog. It was $179, down from original price of $499 :O
It does have the flash and crank noseband, but I have never put the flash on and crank could only be as tight as you make it, and mine is "one finger rule." The problem solved :)

GiGi

Apr. 28, 2009, 01:38 PM

Dover Crown brand bridles. Excellent price and my oldest one is 7 years old. I use it daily for training and at shows. Its even been in sleet/rain/snow.

chipkalee

Apr. 28, 2009, 01:42 PM

Does Bobby's Bridles have a website? And what are KB bridles?

amastrike

Apr. 28, 2009, 04:11 PM

www.eqtack.com

I bought my bridle in pieces from there to get what I wanted--black, hook studs, wide padded noseband without a flash or crank (not that it matters, since I never use it).

bort84

Apr. 28, 2009, 04:45 PM

www.eqtack.com (http://www.eqtack.com)

I bought my bridle in pieces from there to get what I wanted--black, hook studs, wide padded noseband without a flash or crank (not that it matters, since I never use it).

Oooh, this site is great! Just checked it out. I will definitely be shopping there for bridle parts. The prices are quite reasonable!

doccer

Apr. 28, 2009, 05:33 PM

I hear ya... it's hard to find good quality 'simple'!! :) I started searching on ebay and found something fabulous...

Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth, but...

You can have a crank noseband and just not tighten it down. If it is the look that you don't like - then obviously this won't work, but if it is just that you don't need the crank/flash... I know several peole who have done that. I, myself, just take the flash off the bridle and leave the little loop. You never know when you may actually want the option to have the flash someday.

I agree... i prefer the crank noseband to a regular cavesson :yes: You don't need to 'crank' anything lol it's all in how you use it, don't be scared. the crank is a much softer fit for horses.

If you can't find the simple fantastic bridle you want... I recommend the comfort padded crank ... coolest snaffle bridle ever!!

anchorsaway

Apr. 28, 2009, 06:00 PM

http://www.doversaddlery.com/cadence-dressage-horse-bridle/p/X1-12063/cn/362/

I have this one, although white padded(not my favorite on a chestnut but it was free with my guy :D).

I think my favorite part of the bridle is that the padding reaches all the way around the caveson..I've run across a few that don't extend all the way around. I second having the option for a flash at all times. The loop really isn't that distracting. I'm in the process of locating my flash for this bridle right now:lol: I just finished a clinic this weekend and putting the flash back on to see how he goes in it now, was recommended.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=919706&l=700facf3b7&id=511834097
this is my dude sporting it.

houserabbitz

Apr. 28, 2009, 06:42 PM

VTO Saddlery carries a couple of Stubbens with plain nosebands for under 200.00; the shipping is only 4.99.

bort84

Apr. 28, 2009, 07:12 PM

Okay, since my first enthusiastic post regarding eqtack.com, I've been doing some browsing. I love it! If their leather is as nice as it looks, the prices are just great! I found a cavesson with no flash that will perfectly match my current bridle that came with a waaaaaay too big/padded crank. And they have some beautiful reins for such good prices.

It can be challenging to find a wide variety of bridle pieces at a reasonable price. They have all the pieces you could dream of. Buckle ends, hook ends, brass, nickel, black, brown, light brown, flash, no flash, padding, no padding, bradoon hangers, cheek pieces, browbands... I'm sorry, can you tell I'm excited?

Also, I think someone asked if Bobby's Bridles have a website - not sure, but eqtack.com carries quite a lot of their stuff.

Again, very very good prices! Take a look.

kdow

Apr. 28, 2009, 08:51 PM

I hear ya... it's hard to find good quality 'simple'!! :) I started searching on ebay and found something fabulous...

I agree... i prefer the crank noseband to a regular cavesson :yes: You don't need to 'crank' anything lol it's all in how you use it, don't be scared. the crank is a much softer fit for horses.

If you can't find the simple fantastic bridle you want... I recommend the comfort padded crank ... coolest snaffle bridle ever!!

I agree - I used to ride a school horse with super sensitive skin, and we had to put a piece of foam under the buckle on the cavesson, which was just fiddly to keep in place when tacking up. All the crank nosebands I've seen have lovely looking padding underneath, so I think it would be a nice solution for a horse like he was. Just fit it like you would a normal cavesson. :)

Oakstable

Jun. 12, 2009, 08:50 PM

Dressagemaiden

Jun. 13, 2009, 02:00 AM

I've been look at the Vespucci bridles and the Bobby's bridles on line.

Quite a big price difference.

Can some of you enlighten me if the Vespucci is worth the extra money?

I'm overdue for buying a bridle and I want something very nice for photos opps.

TIA

I own a Bobby's bridle and my friend has a Vespucci. I absolutely love my Bobby's bridle and can't imagine spending the extra dollars on the Vespucci. After 5 years my bridle is soft yet it hasn't stretched much that I can see. Good quality but not super expensive. I do like the idea of the one-piece crown on the Vespucci, but I wouldn't think it's as adjustable as the other bridles.

Twigster

Jun. 15, 2009, 11:24 AM

I'm also a big fan of Bobby's, and I have only bought them from EQtack. I love the options, my dressage snaffle looks really sharp with padding (which is pretty, not overdone) and no flash, no crank. But they have so many options you can easily get just what you need and not more. I also bought a bridle from DressageExtensions, no brand name was listed, and it is really nice leather for $150.

minor hijack: has anybody else found that the Bobby's sizes are really generous?

Iride

Jun. 15, 2009, 03:07 PM

minor hijack: has anybody else found that the Bobby's sizes are really generous?

YES. Huge.

Twigster

Jun. 15, 2009, 05:07 PM

Thanks! I have one F/S (schooling) and one C/S (show) for my rather small TB mare (16hh) and the Cob definitely fits her better.

FriesianX

Jun. 15, 2009, 05:15 PM

VTO Saddlery carries a couple of Stubbens with plain nosebands for under 200.00; the shipping is only 4.99.

Last time I checked, VTO even had some Courbette plain nosed snaffle bridles for $149!

planetlisa

Jun. 15, 2009, 05:22 PM

I have a Harmohn Kraft bridle I'm quite happy with, that is what you're looking for. Bought for maybe $45 on Tack of the Day; don't know the retail price.

WNT

Jun. 15, 2009, 07:48 PM

minor hijack: has anybody else found that the Bobby's sizes are really generous?

To add to the hijack, I found that for an average sized horse's head, I ended up getting cob-size cheekpieces and putting them on a full-size crownpiece. I do like that the browbands are a little big though. Lots of room to not pinch ears.

dalpal

Jun. 15, 2009, 10:23 PM

Is there such a thing as a black, unpadded (or self padded) dressage bridle without a crank, flash, or other funny noseband? Just a plain old snaffle bridle? No padding. Or minimal black padding. Decent leather for $200 or so? Am I really old fashioned to be wanting this?

Look at the Stubben and Courbette lines. I have a nice raised Stubben bridle that although does have padding (it's minimal)..it is a plain old cavesson and no flash attachment.

adelmo95

Jun. 15, 2009, 10:50 PM

Have a look at this seller on Ebay http://shop.ebay.ca/merchant/saddlery4u2_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZ. I have purchased a few bridles from them and the bridles are good quality leather, the service is good, and the shipping is surprisingly fast to arrive considering how far it has to come. I would also agree with the statements that a crank noseband is not necessarily a bad thing to have on a horse even if they don't open their mouth as you can have it loose but it is nicely padded underneath.

Twigster

Jun. 16, 2009, 09:39 AM

To add to the hijack, I found that for an average sized horse's head, I ended up getting cob-size cheekpieces and putting them on a full-size crownpiece. I do like that the browbands are a little big though. Lots of room to not pinch ears.

Exactly what we did, Cob sized bridle w/ full size bling-y browband. I love all the colors they have, my bay mare looks super cute in the light green:D