Y'all (I just love how I'm in Texas and can start a sentence with 'y'all' and it's perfectly legit), my bridles are old. They're old and they don't fit Paddy. I've been on a bit of a quest to find at least one new bridle that fits him, because let's face it, Paddingtons deserve nice things. Or so I tell myself.
Lots of fellow bloggers have Rambo Micklems and rave about them, and I admit I wanted to try one out. The ergonomic design is appealing, and if you're OK with a less traditional look, they're kinda neat. Plus I've been impressed with Horseware products, although up to now my experience has been limited to their Rambo blankets.
Let's just say both Paddy and I were disappointed in all kinds of ways.
I got a havana bridle, in Horse size, reins included. Out of the bag, the bridle is really stiff. While the leather is thick and sturdy, which I appreciate as an eventer, the stitching is quite uneven, and is a really strange reddish color that doesn't appeal to me. I'm sure it will soften with age and oiling, but quality-wise it doesn't compare to the Nunn Finer Eventing bridle I've also been eying, which is only slightly more expensive.
I took a bit of time assembling it, following the directions. I stuck it on Paddy a few times sans bit to get the fit right, and it looked OK on him. I felt like there were a lot of straps, and because the leather is fairly wide all over, it doesn't have as refined a look as some more traditional bridles. In addition, Paddy's face is pretty busy with his blaze, and all the strap work just sort of overloaded it. Also, because his face is really wide and short, I never felt like I got it to fit quite right. It seemed long from ears to noseband and too tight in the throatlatch piece. Alas, there's no photographic evidence because I managed to delete the pics I took off my phone, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
I rode in it once. Paddy HATED it. We used the same bit (Myler Baucher) as usual, but he just never got comfortable. I don't know if it pinched him or what, but he did a lot of head-shaking (not normal) and spent a lot of our lesson sucking back behind the bit. Granted, he's not super steady in the bridle to begin with, but our trainer noticed it, and at the end of the ride we both agreed that he really didn't like something about it.
The worst thing though was the reins. If you buy the bridle, buy separate reins. These things are stiff stiff stiff, and super wide. I literally rode with them for 3 minutes and changed them out. I have pretty big hands and I just couldn't hold these at all. Really not a fan.
I paid $189 for the bridle from our local Dover store. For the same money, I'd probably look at an Ovation bridle (although I don't love those reins either) or for a bit more, I'm move up to a Nunn Finer.
Sorry, Horseware. Paddy and I just couldn't get on board with this bridle. But we did find one that we both love... (to be continued!)
Frankly, I'm shocked you even got it on his Paddybear head. Courage goes in the small horse size and even with his tiny head, I have no extra room.
ReplyDeletePaddy's tough to fit, for sure.
DeleteHaha you just like saying "local" Dover store :P
ReplyDeleteSorry the bridle didn't work out!
Are you jealous yet? ;)
DeleteBummer about the bridle but at least it means you got something else to work ;) Can't wait to hear about it!!
ReplyDeleteI promise a full write-up as soon as I get my hot little hands on it...
DeleteYou know visually I'm not a fan of these but nice to hear that they aren't always the perfect bridle like everyone claims.
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely a bridle for every horse. This just wasn't the one for Paddy!
DeleteI agree with you regarding the leather being very stiff! I actually think Roz likes the bridle but I think it was pretty expensive for the quality.
ReplyDeleteI know that lots of people/horses love them, so I'm glad it works for you and Roz!
DeleteI've never been a fan of the Micklems. Clearly I've gone awash in Hunter Land so it would never be an option, but the few that I've wrestled with have always seemed hard to adjust and awkward. I know lots of people swear by them so I'm pretty sure I'm doing-it-wrong but I'd go Nunn Finer for sure.
ReplyDeleteHeh... yeah, a Micklem wouldn't be found in Hunter Land, as far as I can tell! But I agree, Nunn Finer definitely has better quality leather.
DeleteI fully support Paddington getting nice things - he absolutely deserves them! ;) Bummer about the bridle - I'm so tempted to try one but can't get past everyone's review of the leather. Nothing worse than an overly stiff bridle.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that a lot of bridles (at least the ones i can afford) are pretty stiff to begin with. I'm sure they all soften up with time - I've heard quite a few folks who love their Micklems argue that they do well with a few oilings.
DeletePaddington also thinks he should have carrots with the Nice Things. :)
I have never understood why people don't like the leather, I find it really nice and Encore LOVES the crown padding. Mine wasn't stiff except maybe a bit in the jowl and chin straps, but they soften and stretch just right with use, it feels lovely in my hand now. I did get the black one, I didn't like the light brown colour anyway. After a couple uses, it's great and I despise stuff that needs to be babied -- it's horse tack, not freaking cocktail jewelry. I dip this thing in the water trough to rinse the chin strap after a ride, put it away, give it some lederbalsam every now and again -- I think too many people use "soft" as an equivalent for "quality" when really good leather should remain supple yet strong under all conditions. If you're doing more than just trotting around a groomed arena, it's got to take a beating and come back for more!
ReplyDeleteThat said, they are not magic and not everything is for every horse, just like bits. You know I'm a big believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and it was only because Encore was so much more sensitive about the bridle than Solo that I even tried it.
I found it hard to fit as well, and although it still sits a little lower in front than I'd thought it should but it got Micklem's BFF's approval, haha, so I quit worrying about it. But any head shorter than Encore's big noggin would be a real challenge!!!
I hated the reins too, I don't like rubber reins anyway and they are way too big and heavy, but no probs, I put on my SmartPak web reins I adore and put the others on one of Solo's bridles which gets used less. And Encore HATES nose pressure, so we tried the bit clips for all of 10 seconds and they were gone.
But that's why I always emphasize NOTHING IS MAJYK! The Micklem Bridle is a tool designed for a reason. And it does a very good job at that. But we all know horses are different, so should be our approach to our tools to communicate with them.