I need a personal shopper

27 January 2010 11 Comments

Maybe it’s because I started in hunter land, but I really hate Dressage bridles. They’re so… big. And blocky. And padded. And cranked. And blingy. And full of buckles. And the padding is all contrasting colors. And they’re black. And…

Unfortunately, I suspect my budget is not going to give me the luxury of buying a brown dressage saddle quite yet, so I’m going to have to buy a black bridle. My hunter princess soul is dying a little bit.

So if you happen to know of anyone that sells, well, basically hunter bridles in black, please let me know. No bling. No mile-wide nosebands with yard-thick padding. If there must be padding, absolutely no contrasting colors. No crank nosebands. No bling! No buckles where hook and studs would suffice! (I’m looking at you, cheek pieces).

If I have to, I’ll pull out my old hunter bridle. The leather is dark enough that it might just pass for black.

And as long as you’re window shopping for me, if you happen to have any recommendations on galloping/brushing boots that you love to pieces, let me know. I don’t need anything high tech and pushing $100/set, but something that would keep the mare’s legs reasonably cool in the summer would be great. Every time I go look, I get distracted by open-front jumping boots and hind ankle boots.

Horses and Riding, Generally Horse Related

Comments

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Arlene says 29 January 2010

Um, yeah, I’m no help on this one. I’m with you, I like the hunter bridles better too. Dusty is still wearing a brown one, her saddle for now is an all-purpose dark brown and her new girth is a black dressage one. None of the dressage saddles or hunter saddles in the barn even come close to fitting her ample figure. So, as long as we’re not showing who cares, I use what I want and like right now.

Jane says 29 January 2010

I may have an answer for you!

Crown makes a dressage bridle that is more like a hunt bridle.  Dover carries it, I believe.  It looks more substantial in the photo than in person (I own it).  It comes in black and white or black and black.  The leather work is good, price is good, but you may have to switch out the headband.  Narrow web reins.  The bridle I received was too narrow across the brow to fit a normal sized horse head comfortably.  Also, throat latch is buckled on last hole on normal sized horse head. 

Great bridle for an Arab, or horse with a narrower brow.  It is all buckle attach (no inside hook), but I like that for cleaning…

It’s no Pro bridle, but it does the job as an everyday working bridle, and is well made enough to show in.

Jane says 29 January 2010

Oh Lord.  I meant “brow band” not “head band”.  LOL, visions of hippie horses…

Halt Near X says 29 January 2010

Arlene, I’m all for using whatever is on hand. I have a picture somewhere of a thoroughly embarrassed gelding wearing—I think—purple polos up front, raspberry pink behind, and a green and red navaho pad. I think he could have handled any of this individually, but the combination is rather… special. The fact that I have a picture of this means I did it deliberately. Scary, huh?

Jane, it’s funny that you like the buckles better for cleaning, because part of the reason they annoy me is that I hate cleaning them. For whatever reason, I find the hook closures easier to work with. I looked at the Crown bridles on Dover, but I’m thinking if they run a little small they won’t fit Her Highness. On the other hand, I did see one that has a pale blue padding… maybe not show-worthy, but tempting!

Now to contemplate the perverse nature that made me dress up my gelding in pink while I keep buying blue stuff for the mare.

SprinklerBandit says 30 January 2010

I love buckle closures. I’ve always liked how they looked, and now that I have my dream bridle, I LOVE how they work. They’re so much easier to deal with then studs. I haven’t had them get really dirty yet, so maybe my mind will change a little bit when I have to clean them. We’ll see.

Does the personal shopper position pay? I sometimes have lots of time and I love looking at horse stuff.

Melinda Faubel says 30 January 2010

I hear you!  I would love to find a black version of the brown schooling bridle I have.  But nope - everything is bulky and ugly.  And I have an arab so I really want a more refined look.

Halt Near X says 2 February 2010

Melinda, my search took me to SmartPak eventually. Take a look at the Plymouth, Collegiate Padded Flash, and (especially) the Passier Scorpius. I’ve decided to stick to my hunter bridle for the moment, but the Scorpius makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. That’s a bridle I can drool over.

Except the brow bland. Whoever handed bridle makers a Bedazzler and glitter sticks needs to take them back already.

SprinklerBandit, unfortunately I can only pay with undying gratitude. Or else a really good white sauce lasagna and/or funny cake recipe. Both of which are sinfully unhealthy and very, very tasty.

SprinklerBandit says 3 February 2010

Ok… tell me what you think of this. I’m gunning for a lasagna recipe here.

http://www.justbridles.com/index.php?p=product&id=58&parent=46

SprinklerBandit says 3 February 2010

Oh, and for the boots, I’m kind of loving these: http://www.doversaddlery.com/dover-pro-sport-horse-boots-with-fleece-lining/p/X1-04239/cn/117/

They’re $19.90 a pair if you order through the catalog between now and March… Dunno if they’re what you’re looking for, but they’re pretty.

Sorry for the double comment; I’ll try to be more organized next time.

Christy214 says 7 February 2010

Bought my horse a black leather bridle on ebay and low-bid $25 for a NEW one, reins included. Very nice and I’m not usually an ebay shopper. Bought the black leather chest strap for $150 at the local english store, so it averages out I think. Good luck!

Heather Mullholland says 9 February 2010

Schneider’s has lots of great bridles- no padding or bling.  www.sstack.com

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