All things bridles - how to measure for a bridle.
What does a bridle do?
Simply put, a bridle allows the rider to control the horses head, and the speed and direction of the horse. There are many different bridles and bits. Different bridles use different pressure points on the horse. The range of bits now-a-days are vast. Bits have different strengths, types of mouthpieces, materials and offer different types. This means, there is a bridle out there which can bring out the best in your horse.
With an increase in interest in bridle fit, many companies are starting to offer customers the option to buy parts of bridles instead of whole bridles. This works really well on horses which are different sizes on different parts of their head. Today, our aim is to simplify things slightly for you and help you learn how to measure for a bridle so that you can ensure the correct fit for your horse.
What size bridle do you need?
A well-fitting bridle is essential for your horse to perform at its best. For the horse to be happy to work and willing to work with you as the rider, they must feel comfortable.
Bridles typically come in four main sizes: Pony, Cob, Full and Extra Full.
However, for example just because you don’t own a cob does not mean that your horse won’t fit in a cob size bridle. If your horse has a narrow or slender face, they may need a cob bridle as opposed to a full. Typically slender Thoroughbreds may fit into Cob size bridles and some cobs with very broad heads and large noses need Full or Extra Full in the nose band or browband.
Bridles like clothes for us can vary in sizes from one brand to another and even within the different styles of the same brand!
How to measure for a bridle
So there are few different measurements that need to be taken to see what size bridle your horse/pony is going to need!
Be careful when you are measuring that you are measuring from the same points each time!
Bridle Headpiece
First off to measure your bridle we look at the headpiece. You need to measure from the base of your horses ear, over the poll to the base of the opposite ear. Where your browband would normally sit. This is called the spilt to spilt measurement. If you use a double bridle so need a bradoon slip you need to also measure from the corner of your horses mouth, over their poll to the opposite side corner.
Cheek Pieces
Next measure for the cheek pieces. For this you need two measurements. Firstly measure from the corner of your horses mouth to the level of their eye. With cheekpieces being worn with a bit the second measurement you should take is the bit ring size. To get your final cheek piece measurement simply subtract the bit ring measurement from the first measurement of mouth corner to eye.
Browband
For your browband measurement you need to measurement from the back of the base of the ear to the opposite base of the wear across your horses head, making sure you can fit two fingers under the measuring tape.
Tip; make sure you are measuring far enough back at the base of the ear so that is doesn't pinch or pull the headpiece forward.
Noseband
Like with the cheekpiece you need two measurements for a cavesson noseband. Firstly you need to measure the circumference of your horses nose; ensuring you are measuring two fingers below the bottom of the cheek bone. Then you need to measure from your horses eye level to where you measured the circumference, two fingers below the cheek bone.
Throatlash
Last but not least the throatlash! For the throat lash you need to measure from the base of your horses ear, under their throat to the opposite side. Make sure your tape measure is loose enough to fit four fingers between it and your horses throat.
With the measurements done above how do they compare to the ones on the table below?
Fitting your bridle
The browband should have 1\2 to 1 fingers width below the base of the ear, and two stacked fingers that should fit comfortably under the browband. Ensure your browband is not sitting on the TMJ (the bulbus joint you can see below the horses ear and above the eye) as this is a sensitive area.
Next, the throatlash. This needs to have 4 stacked fingers between your horses cheek and the long leather strap.
The noseband depends on the type. A normal cavesson noseband should be 2 fingers below the cheek bone. It also should be able to have 2 fingers stacked underneath it to prevent it being too tight. With a flash noseband, there should be 1 finger tightness between the noseband and the flash should have 2 fingers distance.
The Grackle noseband is a bit more technical to fit. The centre pad should fit high on the nose. It also needs to be in the centre (perhaps that is a little obvious but watch it doesn’t twist as you do it up!). The straps will cross over the cheek bones before buckling up behind the jaw, the lower straps will buckle behind the chin. Any nose band you use should not be done up too tightly, even those designed to prevent the horse from opening their mouth or crossing their jaw. Your bridle should not cause your horse pain. It should enhance communication between horse and rider. A horse is not going to associate good communication with you through the bridle if it is done up extremely tight.
What The Saddle Bank can offer
At The Saddle Bank we sell a range of bridles to suit your horses needs. Our bridles have a range of actions and are dependent on your horses way of going. If you are not sure which would work best for you and your horse, feel free to get in touch with our team who will happily guide you on what may work best for your horse.
The GFS Premier Prosperity Bridle and the GFS Premier Prime Bridle
These are our most popular bridles. The GFS Premier Prime Bridle has a padded headpiece, this reduces pressure at the poll. The bonus with this saddle is that it is British Dressage legal. The throat latch is also removeable. The flash can also be taken off too.
The GFS Premier Prosperity Bridle is made from luxurious leather. In our opinion, the noseband is what sets this bridle out from the rest. The noseband can be used as a standard or a drop noseband, in effect, you can get two for the price of one! Similarly, to the Prime Bridle, it also has a padded headpiece and is also BD legal.
The GFS PS Grackle Bridle
The GFS PS Grackle bridle is a different type of bridle. The Grackle noseband is very common in equestrians. This noseband crosses over the horses nose, in a figure of 8 shape. If your horse crosses its jaw and almost fights against you, we recommend you try this type of bridle. The GFS PS Grackle bridle comes with soft rubber grip reins.
The GFS PS Flash Bridle
If you are looking for a more simple type of Flash bridle the GFS PS Flash bridle is a great option. Its a good quality and affordably priced. A flash noseband is a cavesson noseband with an added attachment in the centre of the noseband where the flash attaches to. Flash bridles are very popular, it is used to stop the horse evading the bit and by opening their mouth. A flash helps with control, change your horses paces and steering.
The Monarch GFS Flash Bridle
The Monarch flash style bridle is a bargain price. This bridle offers some bling in and comes with a sparkly diamante browband. The noseband is padded as well, to offer some extra comfort. This is a great price for anyone on a budget.
The GFS PS Simplicity Bridle
If you prefer a super simple bridle, the GFS Simplicity Bridle would be ideal for you. With a simple raised cavesson noseband and shaped browband this bridle is attractive, affordable and perfect for those who prefer the 'less is more' approach.
All the above bridles are British Dressage legal, the Grackle noseband is particularly common in showjumpers and eventers.
You can check out the bridles we offer on this link.
