Choosing the right bridle for your horse and the discipline you compete in can be a challenge. With so many bridles now available, and an increasing move towards more sympathetically designed bridles, it’s hard to understand the benefits offered by different brands and designs. Here at R&R Country we have devised a list, in no particular order, of the best anatomical bridles and their features.
Acavallo
The Acavallo bridle range is characterized by their wide latex-padded crown. The crown of the Acavallo bridle is ergonomically shaped to increase comfort for the horse and also reduce pressure at the poll. Acavallo’s self-adjusting noseband reduces irritation that traditional bridles could induce. The self-adjusting noseband simply allows your horse to move, chew and breathe more freely, without the restriction of a fixed cheek piece or noseband. The flexibility of the self-adjusting noseband also minimises cheek abrasions and rubs, as the bridle moves with your horse, not against them!
Crafted using the finest Italian leather, with anatomical features, the Acavallo bridles are certainly an innovative bridle collection.
- Acavallo Allegoria
- Acavallo Amazzone
- Acavallo Maesta
PS of Sweden
PS of Sweden Pioneer Bridle
This bridle has a unique dropped noseband design that eliminates the problems that often occur with traditional models. The cross-sectional design of the noseband eliminates the risk of the cheek pieces being too close to the eyes of the horse. The sensitive Infraorbital nerve at the horse’s cheekbone is also left free of pressure.
The patented headpiece is padded and allows the ears to move freely. The cheek pieces feature PS of Sweden’s selectable elastic cradles, which allow the bit to suspend in the horse’s mouth, helping to even out pressure across the neck. The cradles are designed so they can easily be hooked on or off.
GFS
GFS Prosperity Bridle
The bridle benefits from an anatomical headpiece that is designed to alleviate pressure on the poll and improve overall comfort. In addition, the throat lash of this bridle is also detachable. The three-way adjustable noseband has a cross-sectional design that minimises pressure around the mouth, in particular, the teeth and nerves. Furthermore, the noseband is also padded for that extra comfort.
GFS Alpine Bridle
Again, this GFS bridle has also incorporated an anatomical headpiece that helps with pressure at the poll. This bridle has contoured cheek pieces that help reduce pressure around the main facial nerves. The extra padding of the Alpine bridle assists in weight distribution, and overall increases comfort for the horse.
GFS Avail Bridle
The GFS Avail is also anatomical in its design. The wider headpiece reduces poll pressure. The wide noseband is padded on the front and the crank for that additional comfort.
GFS Prime Bridle
The GFS Prime Bridle consists of a wide, padded noseband and flash, it also integrates the popular headpiece that relieves pressure at the poll.
Dyon
Dyon New English Collection X-Fit Anatomic Bridle
As well as individual bridle pieces, Dyon have also devised a bridle that incorporates anatomical technology. The Dyon X-Fit Anatomic Bridle is created using a wider central headpiece to relieve pressure on the poll and around the ears. Rather than having two separate straps for the bit and noseband, Dyon have combined the two. In doing this the temporal and zygomatic bones become less restricted and the horses comfort is hugely improved. The X-Fit Anatomical bridle also consists of an Ergonomic noseband, designed to limit the pressure points on bridge of nose and facial nerves. With a dipped brow band, beautiful leather and matching stitching, this bridle is a real showstopper.
Schockemohle
Schockemohle Equitus Alpha Bridle
This anatomic bridle focuses on the sensitive head of the horse. Due to the innovative alignment, it also provides the horse with ultimate wearing comfort. The new alignment avoids for instance the main facial nerve; it spares important blood vessels and arteries and reduces the pressure on the horse’s neck. The innovative check pieces can be attached directly to the noseband and thus provide the rider with an uncomplicated adjustment possibility.
Being the first bridle style of this range, it is already FN certified and therefore LPO compliant as well as approved for international competitions (FEI).
Schockemohle also have two additional anatomical bridles. The Schockemohle Concord Bridle is designed using flat faced leather pieces. The headpiece is anatomically designed to alleviate pressure, and the throat lash can be adjusted from both sides for the perfect fit. Schockemohle also created the Stanford Flash Bridle with its anatomical crank noseband and headpiece. The anatomical features combined overall make for a more comfortable bridle. These bridles also come with two browbands – a plain one and an embellished crystal design too!
Fairfax
Fairfax Performance Bridle
One of the first bridles to be based on scientific research undertaken using pressure mapping and gait analysis. They are developed, designed and handmade in the UK using first selection Sedgwick’s bridle leather and fully lined with Prolite.
The unique and quality design of the bridle reduces pressure and significantly improves extension, flexion and range of movement in performance horses. In addition to this, the Performance bridle also enhances the horse’s comfort by improving stability. Available in a cavesson, drop or grackle noseband, the Performance bridle has an option for every horse.
*Fairfax Bridles must be fitted to your horse by a qualified fitter to ensure best fit.*
Horseware
Horseware Rambo Micklem Bridle
The Micklem bridle has been designed from the inside out, using the shape of the horse’s skull itself, rather than the outward appearance of the head. It avoids pressure on the main facial nerves, the projecting cheek bone and the molar teeth of the upper jaw.
Available as a competition bridle or multibridle, the latter allows the rider to seamlessly transition between a bridle, lunge cavesson, bitless bridle and headcollar.
The competition bridle is FEI approved and suitable for all levels and disciplines. A growing number of amateur and professional riders are seeing the benefits of using the Micklem bridle and it is becoming a bestseller.
Pessoa
Pessoa Grackle Bridle
This grackle bridle is beautifully crafted with a contrast stitch and dropped browband to give a touch of elegance. The bridle is anatomically shaped and has a padded headpiece which helps relieve poll pressure and contours around the ears to provide extra comfort to the horse. The bridle comes complete with soft rubber grip reins to complete the look and is also available as a flash bridle. An excellent choice for the rider wanting quality and comfort for their horse without a hefty price tag.
