Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kole07 from
Chestnut Mare Approved!
The pressure is off! My mare loves this bridle, and rides much better in it than in a traditional flash noseband. It has good quality leather, super nice reins, and pretty impressive adjustability in design to get that perfect fit. And (bonus!) you'll never lose your flash again!
Date published: 2017-11-21
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Bgieck from
The quality of leather in both the bridle and reins was quite nice, and I love the concept. However, in spite of the fact that this bridle has worked well for a couple of my friends, I found my horse to be much heavier and more on the forehand. I generally ride him in an egg butt snaffle with a flash noseband, which seems to work much better for him.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
BadgerGirl095 from
Lovely bridle
I bought this for a mare I ride who is generally sensitive about her head. She seems to like it better than her previous conventional bridle. It would be nice if the bridle came with more detailed instructions about fit, although of course you can look up YouTube videos. FYI I bought the black - I love brown tack but had noticed on friend's bridles that the thread on the brown Micklem is an orangish color that I did not like.
Date published: 2017-09-25
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Ramblinsallie from
Easy to use
This bridle was easy to "put together". I wish that the jaw strap was a little longer as we are on the last hole but my quarter horse mare is not an easy fit with her very broad jaw and very slender nose. Overall though, the bridle fits well and it has been well accepted.
Date published: 2017-08-14
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mackenzie from
Nice Bridle
The product was shipped in a nice box, and was ready to use right out of the bag. The leather is of good quality, and fits my horse well. This is great bridle for someone looking for pressure relief. My horse does not necessarily enjoy poll pressure and the way this bridle is made, helps to relieve the pressure up there. 10/10 recommend this product.
Date published: 2017-08-14
Rated 5 out of
5
by
VitoMom from
Beautiful bridle...
I've purchased two of these, one (small horse size) for my hard-to-fit 14.3 Appaloosa gelding, and the other (large horse) for our 17.2 Percheron mare. My App loves his, and I love not having so many straps on his face, LOL. The large horse size was, sadly, just a smidge too small for our mare, and I returned it. I would definitely recommend this for fussy horses who need a flash--I wish I'd tried this on my OTTB!
Date published: 2017-08-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
BayMareDressage from
Wonderful Bridle
I bought my very sensitive mare this bridle over six months ago in hopes of having a more comfortable bridle that would allow her to soften more, and it did not let down! In my first ride with it, there was a noticeable difference in how my horse behaved. Suddenly she was softening and relaxing and reaching lightly into my hands within seconds. Although the leather could be better quality, it is more than worth it to see the difference this bridle makes!
Date published: 2017-07-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Court from
Great supple leather
This is my first dressage bridle and I so happy with it. My horse is responding very well and seems super comfortable. I really love that the leather was a good quality, supple leather. Plus the rubber reins are super grippy and flexible! Looks great!
Date published: 2017-06-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kate from
Best Bridle Ever!
I hate to buy into fads, especially gimmicky things with tack, but holy cow this bridle is everything I expected and more. My horse LOVES it! He didn't go poorly before, but now he's in my hands, ready to work as soon as I get on. I was skeptical at first but after a month in this bridle I am sold, it's completely worth every penny. The leather is soft/supple and the bridle is incredibly adjustable, making it completely customizable - the horse-size fit by OTTB who also fits in a cob-sized HDR Figure8.
Date published: 2017-06-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Pickenspilot from
Simple, comfortable design
This bridle fits my horse perfectly. The jaw & chin straps fasten easily & smoothly. The reins have the best sure-grip ever.
I absolutely love this bridle and think my horse does too.
Date published: 2017-05-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
horsekathy from
Fits beautifully, love it.
I have been using this on my mare for about a month and she is much more relaxed and working great. She has a petite head for a warmblood and it fits her beautifully. Very easy to adjust for small or large heads. I have had to order custom cheek pieces before to get the right fit. She is between a cob and horse size. It has the perfect size noseband, not too big and bulky for my mare. Less straps mean less bulk on sides of face. Great bridle.
Date published: 2017-05-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mikki from
my horse loves it!!!!!!!!
I bought this for my ottb who I am starting to Event with. For the year I have had him he has been struggling to honestly seek contact. From the first ride using this bridle he is going through and happy to do so. Everyone who has seen us working has commented on how happy and well he is now. It may be partially training but I am sure the bridle has made him happier. Best money I have spent on him right up there with a new saddle.
Date published: 2017-05-13
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Indian Summer from
Love Micklem bridles, but disappointed this time.
I purchased three Micklem bridles before buying this one. They have stood up to daily use and the horses love them. This particular bridle, however, was very dried out (poor quality leather) and one of the keepers broke while I was putting the bridle together. I am still waiting to hear back from Smartpak and the Mfg.
Date published: 2017-05-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Rose from
Love it!
This bridle has made such a difference to my horse! I had heard good things, but wasn't expecting miracles... but honestly if your horse seems at all unhappy or fussy about the contact you should consider this bridle. It has improved my horses connection incredibly, even without the bit clips. I haven't even needed to try those!
Date published: 2017-04-26
Rated 4 out of
5
by
ShellySM from
Great flexibility!
I bought this for my 7 yr old Andalusian who is very sensitive and always fussing with the bridle. Overall the fit is good, but I did have to replace the browband with a larger one. I tried using the bridle with various bits, with and without the clips to the bit. When using the clips, he is very steady, but heavier in the bridle and less sensitive to nuanced cues, so we are not using the clips. He seems much happier in this bridle overall. He holds the bit more quietly and is not as inclined to grab it as an evasion. The leather is nice quality. A little stiff, but I know that will improve with conditioning. It is a very dark brown. I use it for dressage and jumping.
Date published: 2017-04-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
larissa from
Love this bridle!
I bought this bridle about 6 months ago to help my wind sucker who wears a cribbing strap deal with poll pressure exerted in the bridle. Instantaneous improvement with acceptance in the bridle. It is a winner!
Date published: 2017-03-20
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Kfgequestrian from
Beautifully balanced bridle
I was intrigued with the idea of a more ergonomic bridle. I have a young 4 year old that is just being started and I wanted to give him the easiest way to start. Especially knowing that he is still dealing with teeth that are changing and wolf teeth that may or may not come in at some point.
This bridle has been amazing. I paired it with a very simple double jointed happy mouth and he is super happy and taking a light contact.
This bridle did take a little bit of reading to understand how to properly fit and adjust the bit and the noseband but it was explained in the booklet that came with the bridle. And a special bonus that it comes with my favorite reins on the planet. Super supple yet sticky rubber reins that are easy to grip yet flexible enough for you to be light in your contact.
My only complaint is that it is a fairly plain bridle however the browband is easily changeable so I was able to dress this bridle up a little bit for show.
Date published: 2017-03-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
CT21 from
Pony approves
My pony seems to be softer in my hand and a bit more willing to move forward. He is a large pony, similar to a Welsh Cob Section D. I ordered the horse size for my boy and it was a good fit. A Cob size would have been too small . So far he seems to like it. The leather seems nice and is soft and easy to adjust . The noseband is not too wide and I think he likes the "minimalist" feel of this bridle. I always thought it was a gimmick , but, not after the difference I felt in him after the first ride. For my pony , it has been a positive tack improvement.
Date published: 2017-03-01
Rated 4 out of
5
by
lisat225 from
As advertised!
Used this bridle for the first time today and I am very pleased. I bought this because I needed a new bridle and was tired of the nosebands on my other bridles losing shape over time. This bridle has many great reviews and I have found them to be very accurate. The leather is a bit stiff but of good quality. I ride dresssage so will not use the rubber reins that came with it. The only oddity is the chin strap seems a bit small, I have a 15.2 QH mix, not a big guy at all but that strap is a bit too short.
As. for. the ride, def noticed more reaching for the bridle today and less resistance. I will see if this keeps up but first ride was good.
Overall very pleased with the purchase!
Date published: 2017-02-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Sara from
Great bridle!
Really love the Micklem design for some horses. Not that prettiest bridle, but the function definitely out weighs the lack of stylish features. For a few horses I ride this is a night and day difference from a conventional snaffle bridle. Every trainer should have one in their tack room :)
Date published: 2017-02-17
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Eventingtb from
I just bought this bridle and I am very pleased for the most part tho I did notice that some off the leather were the holes are started to crack! I am very disappointed about that but nothing Some oil can't fix. Overall pretty nice quality but I don't think it was worth 200, my thoroughbred didn't change when I rode him in it but he definitely didn't dislike it. Everyone I have talked to has loved this bridle I would definitely recommend it.
Date published: 2017-02-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
notimetoride from
Voodoo magic bridle
I'm generally opposed to training devises such as draw reins, etc., but at the request of my trainer who uses it on her own horse, I agreed to try hers for a day. It had a Happy Mouth double jointed boucher. I figured I'd be getting run away with or have my arms pulled out of their sockets & was fully prepared. But WOW! My hot jumper loped around like a hunter! Soft, submissive, responsive, no head tossing, seeking contact....not things typical of this mare! I thought it was a fluke but used it again the next day. Same thing! Still skeptical, I used my regular bridle with regular double jointed snaffle on day 3. She went back to the same strong, somewhat resistant, head tossing hot jumper...... So....... I bought my own with the exact same bit as used on my trainer's bridle. We haven't looked back since then. Not sure how it works & don't really care. It's worked miracles with my horse! As far as leather quality, it's not the luxurious leather of expensive bridles, but is certainly decent. Leather balsam has softened it up nicely.
Date published: 2017-02-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Susan from
I love my Micklem Competition Bridle!
My horse has a bony protrusion on her jaw that was getting rubbed by the noseband on her previous bridle. The Micklem Bridle is designed to eliminate the regular nose band and now I do not have to worry that her bridle is making her uncomfortable. The bridle has a stream-lined look that I really appreciate because my horse has a smaller face. I recommend this bridle to everyone.
Date published: 2017-01-31
Rated 5 out of
5
by
OTTBlover from
Supple leather
The leather is supple and I really like the rubber reins, having never used anything but leather previously. For a horse that is overall sensitive to using a flash the bridle may be too strong. I cannot use for the horse intended but it works well with the other. I may even be able to switch to a bit even milder than the one currently in use.
Date published: 2017-01-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Nancy K from
Great features!
I bought this bridle to relieve head shaking. My horse Is more comfortable in it than a typical dressage bridle with a flash nose band. He isn't totally asymptomatic, but, it has helped.
Date published: 2017-01-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Emily from
Significant Difference!
I got this bridle for my horse for Christmas and have seen a big change in my horse. The bit stays in place with the optional clips and the leather is soft. The contact is more steady and even with this bridle. The reins for the horse size were a little short for long and low work but I didn't mind. My horse was more accepting of the bridle and didn't try opening his mouth anymore. He also was more willing to keep his head down and stretch more. I'm very glad I purchased this bridle.
Date published: 2017-01-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
snacks from
great quality
This is a very different kind of bridle than I have used before. It feels like it's looser when it goes on because it doesn't have the nose band, however it isn't loose at all. My horse likes it and I like that he does.
Date published: 2017-01-04
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kt Xm from
Loved by horse and rider
I love this bridle because it takes the pressure off the mouth and distributes it to the pole thus a lighter hand. My horse loves it for the same reasons.
Date published: 2016-12-23
Rated 4 out of
5
by
ShelleySG from
Great product!
I bought this bridle a few months ago after hearing great results on other horses with "connection" issues. My horse was already being ridden in a nice quality padded bridle. He responded positively from the first ride and has continued to change dramatically. I'm usually a skeptic, but I'm quite impressed. Nice quality as well!
Date published: 2016-12-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Horse Husband from
"Best gift ever"
Selected this bridle as a gift to my wife for her BD... (no, last year I did not get her a vacuum). We found the leather and leather work to be of top quality. She had no issues gaining the fit she sought on her mare and is very pleased with the way her horse is responding to the innovative design... as always, doing business with SmartPak was hassle free and cost competitive.
Date published: 2016-12-06