| When it comes to horseback riding, the importance of | | | | Endurance bridle: This bridle helps when the horse has |
| a bridle is obvious. A horse bridle comes with different | | | | stopped to drink water. Its main use is for general |
| pieces such as the brow-band, nose-band, | | | | exercise and long-distance riding. In this bridle, the bit |
| cheek-pieces and throat-lash. For the comfort of the | | | | can be removed to use the head-collar or for the |
| horse as well as the rider, it is necessary to adjust | | | | bridle to be used as a bitless bridle, made from |
| each piece so that the bridle fits correctly. Mismatching | | | | lightweight webbing material. |
| can often affect the horse's gait and cooperation. | | | | While choosing a horse bridle, there are a few things |
| When bought, bridles are always very stiff. Neatsfoot | | | | you need to take care of: |
| oil is a good solution for making it supple and | | | | You need to decide on the type of material for the |
| conditioning the leather for long term durability. There | | | | bridle. This has to be decided upon based on your |
| are different kinds of horse bridles. Each one is meant | | | | preference and your budget. There are horse bridles |
| for different purposes and techniques in horse riding. | | | | varying from webbing, plastic to leather. Leather bridles |
| Snaffle bridle: This is a bridle with a lot of adaptability. It | | | | are always preferable, though they can be on the |
| can be used for various purposes like dressage riding, | | | | expensive side. You have to consider the extent, kind |
| general exercising, eventing, polo and racing. This horse | | | | of use and safety as well in order to decide on the |
| bridle has a head-piece, brow-band, cheek-pieces, | | | | material of the bridle. |
| nose-band, reins and bit. The snaffle bridles can be | | | | Decide on the colour of the bridle. This depends on |
| fitted with a flash strap that is attached to the | | | | your personal preference. However, it will be a good |
| noseband and fastens around the mouth to help keep | | | | idea to consider the colour of your horse and the |
| the horse's mouth closed to aid control. | | | | saddle so that everything matches while choosing the |
| Western bridle: These bridles are used for long trail | | | | horse bridle. |
| rides and are therefore light weight and apt for hot | | | | Next, you need to decide on the weight of the bridle. |
| conditions. They are mainly used in barrel-racing and | | | | You could either get a heavyweight one or a |
| cutting competitions. This bridle has a head-piece and a | | | | lightweight one. Once again, this depends on your |
| brow-band, either a full brow-band, split-eared | | | | preference and the breed of the horse, as a large cob |
| brow-band or a one-eared brow-band. It is worn | | | | or heavyweight hunter will need a heavyweight bridles |
| without a nose-band. The bit that is used with this bridle | | | | and smaller native breeds and children's ponies will |
| is a western curb-bit that has split reins at the end | | | | need lightweight styles. |
| rather than one with a joined buckle. | | | | Before buying the bridle, take the accurate |
| Double bridle: This bridle provides a great level of | | | | measurements of the horse's head, cheek and neck. |
| control over the horse since there would be two bits in | | | | An ill-fitting horse bridle can create discomfort for not |
| the horse's mouth instead of one. This can be used for | | | | only the horse but also the rider. |
| showing and advanced level of dressage riding. A | | | | While buying the bridle, make sure that the nose-band |
| double bridle also has a head-piece, brow-band and | | | | that comes with the bridle suits the horse. |
| cheek-pieces. The nose-band is designed as a | | | | Make sure that the bridle is not too tight and doesn't |
| cavesson, which encircles the nose to avoid | | | | choke the horse. It's always better to clean and |
| interference by the action of the bit. There are two | | | | condition the horse bridle after using two or three |
| bits, one attached to the cheek-pieces and the other | | | | times. |
| attached to the bridoon-sliphead, which features 2 sets | | | | Do not give preference for the appearance of the |
| of reins one set wider than the other the curb rein | | | | horse bridle. Comfort and safety of the horse and the |
| being narrow for more control. | | | | rider comes first. |