Bridles, can anyone advise!!!

[Lacey]

Hi there, I am currently looking for a new bridle for my horse, we only really hack and school lightly through winter, and I was looking at a nylon or synthetic bridle, has anyone any experience with them, and will it reduce the level of control you have of a strong horse???

Please help!!

[Manda]

I've never used a synthetic bridle, but I'm not a fan of nylon.

Do you ride english or western? If western, I can't advise, but for english, I have a Kincade Plain Raised Bridle and I love it.

[Lacey]

:) I ride english

[Manda]

Then I totally recommend the Kincade. It is leather, but it's tough, and I've had no problems with it.

[Antonia]

There is a school horse at my barn named Joey, and he's the only one. He's had the Kincade (I think braided?) for a VERY long time. It holds up great with regular cleaning, and it was very cheap. I'd say it's a good deal- he even shows in it! :)

[Lacey]

Hey guys, I bought a Kincade yesterday, and was amazed at how cheap it was, picking my new horse up on Saturday, so we will see :) :)

[cantercutie44]

best of luck!!

[TBredHJ]

Nylon and English do not mix. I am using a inexpensive leather Kincade bridle too. Here in Oregon we are still riding outdoors and it rained a lot today, these Kincades just seem to last and last. I have had mine 4 years and it even has survived a trip to the beach!

Susan R. :p

[equestrianellen]

i really would not recomment using nylon. nylon doesn't break like leather does if your horse gets hung up on something. you don't need a $400 dollar bridle, but i would just get one of medium quality so the leather isn't ridiculously hard to work with. try something like this: http://www.doversaddlery.com/kincade-plain-raised-bridle/p/X1-12422/cn/79/

[Haley]

Kincade is inexpensive, but the quality isn't that great. Just make sure it's comfortable for your horse.

[TVF Maggie]

My trainer said that a really good type of bridle for shows is called Edgewood and you can just buy a less-expensive one for at the barn.

[cursivenight]

Hmm...get something leather, I advise, just cause the other materials aren't really...big in english i guess. Also I know alot of people have issues with them.

I guess you already bought it...lol

I don't know, I splurged on my bridle. Greenhawk ROCKS <3

[mhoney05]

you guys look how long ago this post was made!!!!!!! i hope your happy with the bridle you bought in 2006 !hehehehehehe :D

[DarkChylde]

Should you choose synthetic, I recommend Sportack, they have the really beautiful colors and that biothane thing. And they custom their stuff, too! (Good when your horse's is hard to fit, like mine.) Love the motto - You can rest when you die! ;)

[horsegirltv]

Kincade is certainly one of the most affordable leather goods producer on the market but in my experience you can obtain a much better quality product for just a little more money. HDR makes beautiful products for their price and Collegiate has increased their quality in the last few years while keeping their prices low. Anyone looking for some inexpensive but quality tack should check out those two brands. The Tack Room Inc. sells these and many others and has a huge web site. Check them out. www.tackroominc.com (http://www.tackroominc.com)

Jessica
HorsegirlTV

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[silverleprichuan]

Kincade is certainly one of the most affordable leather goods producer on the market but in my experience you can obtain a much better quality product for just a little more money. HDR makes beautiful products for their price and Collegiate has increased their quality in the last few years while keeping their prices low. Anyone looking for some inexpensive but quality tack should check out those two brands. The Tack Room Inc. sells these and many others and has a huge web site. Check them out. www.tackroominc.com (http://www.tackroominc.com)

Jessica
HorsegirlTV

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I've really found hdr, kincade, and collegiate to be really poor quality. HDR and Kincade also tend to have a very reddish color which rarely matches saddles and is a dead give away that it is a cheaper bridle.

For the same price range you can get a used crosby, stubben, bobby, edgewood, etc which will look and feel much nicer.
If you just HAVE to have a new bridle Suffolks and suprisingly nice for their $30 price tag but they don't have the edges finished very nicely and the leather tends to wrinkle over time. I still have several that are used as schooling bridles and have held up quite well.
For around $90 (same price range as the collegiate) you can get the Crown line from Dover. I've closely compared the Crown dressage bridle with stubben, collegiate, hdr, etc and Crown is by far the nicest bridle I've found for under $130.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/crown-padded-stitched-horse-bridle/p/X1-12215/cn/79/ (http://www.horsegirltv.com/)
^most basic bridle

[url]http://www.doversaddlery.com/crown-raised-flash-bridle/p/X1-12223/cn/79/
^nice raised flash

http://www.doversaddlery.com/crown-eventer-bridle/p/X1-12697/cn/79/
^same as above with clincher browband

[horsegirltv]

I used nylon years ago when I was riding western and I just seemed flimsy and without any real substance. Since I've been riding dressage I've finally gotten to the point where I have two nice bridles. One snaffle and one double. I'd say your horse is your most valuable piece to the puzzle, then your saddle and bridle so if you can afford (even a nice used leather bridle) I'd go that route. It's like having a porche and putting walmart tires on it if that makes sense.

Best of luck. I've found some good deals on used tack on eBay as well as my corner stores but just be careful with online auction sales.

Cheers,

Angelea Kelly
CEO (Chief Equine Officer)

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