Antares Figure 8

[KingoftheRoad]

Any idea where to find a used Antares figure 8 bridle? I've checked the usual suspects, premiertackoutlet, eBay, the classified section here, but can't seem to find any.

Is there someplace I'm missing to find one of these bridles? Thought maybe someone might know of a good source I hadn't thought of.....

thanks!

[BAC]

I rarely come across them used (not that I am looking, until very recently I had my own Antares bridle), I think because they are so exceptionally nice that no one wants to part with them. :yes:

[KingoftheRoad]

I know, I managed to find a fantastic deal on my flash bridle through someone on the forums, and I love it! Wish Smartpak would do some great sales or something :)

[BAC]

Smartpak did have a great sale on Antares about a year ago, a friend got a deal on their hunter bridle. I think they were moving out the old stuff as the new mono crowns were being stocked.

FWIW, I hate the new style Antares with the monocrown, all those extra buckles, and the ends of the crown piece are now so wide to accommodate the 3 straps, I wouldn't take one as a gift. And who wants buckles on both sides of the throat latch? Not to mention not being able to swap nosebands either. Much better off to find a used one.

[paint hunter]

FWIW, I hate the new style Antares with the monocrown, all those extra buckles, and the ends of the crown piece are now so wide to accommodate the 3 straps, I wouldn't take one as a gift. And who wants buckles on both sides of the throat latch? Not to mention not being able to swap nosebands either. Much better off to find a used one.

I'm with BAC. I hate the monocrown. Too big and bulky looking. Wish they would go back to the traditional crown.

[KateD]

I wish I could find an older model, the monocrown is huge on my mare's refined head :( Not to mention that the noseband is too big so I have to splurge another $170 just to get a piece that fits! I would trade my new one for an older version if someone was willing... ;)

[BAC]

Maybe we should send this thread to Antares customer service. :yes: I don't know if she would be willing to sell it, but Lucassb has a beautiful Antares (OS I think) hunter bridle, she bought it before I bought mine so I know its the old style.

[karlymacrae]

I hate the new monocrown as well - not necessarily the fact that it's a monocrown, more because it's just SO bulky and there's a ridiculous amount of buckles. Have yet to see a horse it really looks good on.

[BAC]

I hate the new monocrown as well - not necessarily the fact that it's a monocrown, more because it's just SO bulky and there's a ridiculous amount of buckles. Have yet to see a horse it really looks good on.

You're right, we bought the old style one for our trainer as a Christmas gift one year and people liked it so much a couple of them went out and bought the same bridle, except they were now the mono crown version. Neither looks as nice as the original on the horses they were bought for, and both are 17+ hand warmbloods, I can't imagine it flattering a more delicate head. Just too much bulk and buckles.

[KingoftheRoad]

Hmm, I actually really like the monocrown - I think what throws it off when it comes to buckles is when they switched the bit and rein ends to buckles from hooks and studs. The flash bridle I have is monocrown, and it is actually really pretty, but I think that might be because while there are two buckles on each side, there aren't two more buckles on each side for the bit connections. Does that make sense?

The monocrown is one of my favorite features - I love the fact it is cut back to allow clearance around the ears.

Hey, wait a minute!!!! Just had a thought (it's been a long day) - is there someplace I can buy just the Antares figure eight noseband to attach to the rest of my flash bridle??????!!!!! Then I keep the hook closures for the bit and reins, and still get the figure eight piece I need!! Why the H**L didn't I think of that before?

OK, revised question - anybody know where I can find a used or on-sale figure eight noseband that would match the Antares???? :) TIA

[BAC]

- I think what throws it off when it comes to buckles is when they switched the bit and rein ends to buckles from hooks and studs. . . The monocrown is one of my favorite features - I love the fact it is cut back to allow clearance around the ears.

They didn't switch from hooks and studs to buckles, the figure 8 (and many other brand figure 8s as well) has always been buckle style, the hunter bridle is traditional stud closures on the cheeks and reins. And the old version is also cut back around the ears, that is on the original bridles as well.

[KingoftheRoad]

Well that's strange then - I have a flash bridle, and it definitely has the monocrown and the hook closures. If I can find a figure 8 noseband, maybe it won't look so bad as the newer ones.....

[BAC]

Well that's strange then - I have a flash bridle, and it definitely has the monocrown and the hook closures. If I can find a figure 8 noseband, maybe it won't look so bad as the newer ones.....

I said the hunter bridle has the stud closures, the flash bridle is not the same as the hunter bridle, and a flash is not acceptable in hunters. The Antares hunter bridle has always had stud closres and the figure 8 has always had buckles, I dislike flash bridles and so never bothered to look at how the reins attach. Instead I have an Antares flash attachment so that there is no ugly little loop on the bottom of the noseband, as there is on the flash bridle.