Bridles suggestions.

[forestergirl99]

I'm interested in what kind of bridles you guys use(brand). Also, it seems like almost all eventers use either flashes or figure-8. Does anyone here not use anything?? My horse needs a flash, but it actually just makes him worse. hahaha. So we are going bare naturale when it comes to cavessons. lol.

[tbeventer]

I LOVE the Nunn Finer Event bridle! Bought one 3 years ago for my big guy and it's held up really well and looks extremely smart! I bought the havana with brass fittings. My only complaint is that I had to re-rubber the reins that came with it because the rubber wore through... so while I was waiting on those, I bought a pair of the Nunn Finer Eventa reins that I love even more! I have a figure 8 for XC, but in dressage he goes back and forth between a flash and just plain caveson. The great thing about the Nunn Finer bridles is that they can be somewhat customized for your horse i.e: my horse has a full size bridle with cob cheek pieces.
For dressage I have a Stubben dressage bridle that I love. There are quite a few beautiful brands out there, like Vespucci, Passier, or if you have the money, there's Devoucoux and Antares again but it depends on how much you want to spend. I figured out that I'd spent so much money on middle of the road bridles that never held up that spending $200 on a GOOD bridle that will last a long time was worth it... and it really has been! Occasionally you can even find them on Ebay for signifigantly less!

[joharavhf]

I have a Vespucci dressage bridle and a Nunn Finer figure 8 bridle.
The Vespucci is GORGEOUS....I like the Nunn Finer bridle but have found
that they run a little strange size wise....

[yellowbritches]

My horse does not go in a flash or figure 8. He doesn't need it, doesn't like it, and I hate tying their mouths shut just to be part of the fashion trend. I don't have anything against them (Lord knows we have plenty of other horses in our barn that need them and get them), but I just think using one because other eventers do is silly. I actually had the flash loop removed from his bridle recently (now I'm committed) and I have been searching for a grown up dressage bridle that doesn't have a flash or a crank (apparently, they don't exist in the US :rolleyes: ). Found one that I'm buying from a fellow COTHer. The bridle I am currently using (which will become his jumping bridle) is a much loved consignment find. Don't know what brand, but if I had to guess I would say it is a Dover "Showmark" bridle...before their quality went to hell.

My favorite bridles are Bobby's or Nunn Finer, but my beef with Nunn Finer is their sizing is weird.

[Late]

I'm a firm believer in using a plain cavesson until I find a reason to go the flash/figure 8 route (control or otherwise). I have no problem with a crank - it's not like you can't still control how tight or loose it is!

Haven't had to buy a bridle for quite some time, though there seems to be some really gorgeous bridlework out there... I have had 2 Crosby bridles that I loved - sold one, the other one is too big for anything I'm riding right now : ) and a Showmark figure 8 from Dover that seems to dry out really easily? idk... I've never had that issue before but maybe I just need to take it home and baby it. My [old] local tack shop sells a lot of Courbette and Stubben bridles and they seem to hold up really well : )

[OneMoreForTheRoad]

My horse doesn't use a flash for anything but cross country, and even then I don't put it on sometimes. But I have ridden horses that have needed it so if it makes your horse worse to have one on, don't put on on.

But i have 2 vespucci bridles and that I absolutely love. The leather is really fine quality and is durable too. I also have an HDR bridle for schooling, which has held up very well (its almost 3 years old now) and didn't really cost that much. Most of these bridles don't come with reins, or the reins are too short for my long-necked thoroughbred, so I almost always get either the Nunn Finer reins that tbeventer mentioned or the equus eventa reins

[Amchara]

I have a suffolk dressage bridle. Cheap, cheap budget bridle but I've soaked it in neatsfoot oil a few times and four year later (less then $10/yr) it is in great shape and I don't anticipate needing to replace it bearing an unforseen accident. Infact, when I look at nicer bridles I feel guility at the idea of not using a perfectly useful bridle. I've even been told how nice the bridle looks at shows and such.