Which Bridle - Stubben or Wellington?

[Haley]

I'm having a tough time deciding between these two bridles...

Stubben Raised Snaffle:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-12158

Wellington Saratoga with Crank:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-12337

What do you guys think? I've found less information on the Wellington, but it still ranks as one of the best sellers on Dover. The Stubben bridle, as expected, has fantastic reviews - I think that may be the safer choice, but the Wellington really does look excellent. :)

[silverleprichuan]

I'd go with the Wellington.

I own a stubben bridle and regularly use a handful of other stubben bridles and have found them to be sub par. The saddles are well made but the bridles have cheap think leather with dye that runs.

[Haley]

Uh oh - that makes me pretty uneasy.

The only thing about the Wellington is that the reins aren't included, and they cost nearly $200 - I'll look around more.

[Haley]

This Wylde bridle seems nice:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-12343

[Alwaysridin09]

well, i used to ride in a stubben saddle and loved it! it was a very comfortable saddle to ride in, however, i dont think i used the bridle. stubben is such a classic brand, its hard to think that their bridles would be like that, but as long as the bridle fits your horse and its comfortable for him, than i say go with that. i personally like the wylde or wellington.

[Haley]

That was my thought about Stubben; it was my first choice, but as I've looked around more, I'm seeing others that I prefer. As of now, I think I will go with this Wellington:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-12337

I can use the reins from my current schooling bridle until I get new reins, and I'm sure I can find nice reins for less on eBay - I already have my eyes on a brand new Edgewood set!

[musiccraze777]

Wow, bridles are expensive! I'd go with the Wylde one because of what Silver and Alwaysriding said, but I was wondering (for me, for when I buy one), are bridles that are, like say on Ebay and cheaper than $100 poor quality? Or are you just looking for a really good/brand new one? (Just so I don't make the mistake of buying a sucky bridle one day if they are...)

Edit to add: Your new idea sounds good!

[Haley]

Yeah, anything less than $100 is usually very poor quality. For a nice, classy bridle that will last, you have to pay. I try to buy things of very good quality, since I know that they will be durable as well as elegant. A few of my friends are ordering bridle and martingale sets costing about $1000 from one maker, and believe me, they are worth the money. Since I'm going to college next year and don't know what my horse situation will be, I'm not willing to spend that kind of money if I'm not sure if I will be able to consistently use it.

[musiccraze777]

I hope you find one that you like.

And thanks for the info. =)

[Haley]

Thanks, so do I! :)

[silverleprichuan]

Wow, bridles are expensive! I'd go with the Wylde one because of what Silver and Alwaysriding said, but I was wondering (for me, for when I buy one), are bridles that are, like say on Ebay and cheaper than $100 poor quality? Or are you just looking for a really good/brand new one? (Just so I don't make the mistake of buying a sucky bridle one day if they are...)

Edit to add: Your new idea sounds good!


Yes and no. If you get a brand new off brand bridle then it will probably be cheap urine tanned indian leather (barf) and it will crack, stretch, and look terrible. That being said, many people sell expensive but gently used tack for a fraction of their value and you can find incredible deals. I know someone who got two vespucci bridles (around $500 new) for just under $100.

The key is to buy from reputable dealers and to know what brands produce nice bridles. On ocassion people put bridles in the wrong section and thus they get less hits and you can save a lot of money if you explore a bit.

[DixieGirl]

They are a lot of $$!!

[Haley]

For good bridles, not really.

[musiccraze777]

Yes and no. If you get a brand new off brand bridle then it will probably be cheap urine tanned indian leather (barf) and it will crack, stretch, and look terrible. That being said, many people sell expensive but gently used tack for a fraction of their value and you can find incredible deals. I know someone who got two vespucci bridles (around $500 new) for just under $100.

The key is to buy from reputable dealers and to know what brands produce nice bridles. On ocassion people put bridles in the wrong section and thus they get less hits and you can save a lot of money if you explore a bit.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind when I decide to purchase one.

[Kalena]

I would do with the Wellington, those are nice bridles. They are almost as nice as Edgewood, look very similar to them too.