And Yet ANOTHER One!

8/18/2013

If I added up how much I've spent on crap bridles over the last four years, it would easily amount to the nicest, fanciest bridle available.

The problem is that I can't justify spending even a hundred bucks on a schooling bridle so I continue to buy cheap dressage bridles in the hope that one of them will finally work well.

The problem is that Speedy has a "small" head. It's not disproportionately small of course, but compared to the heads of most dressage horses, his is tiny. Finding something that fits well has been a challenge. Had I known that I would end up spending a small fortune, I would have just done a custom order eight bridles ago.

Sprinkler Bandits, please do not think that I am trying to de-throne you as ruler of the Tack Whores. I am not, but seriously, if you knew how many bridles I have purchased for Speedy G in the past three years, you would certainly grant me the title of Tack Whore Princess.

Which means, of course, that I have just purchased yet another frickin' bridle. And yes, it was another cheap one. But this time, I might have actually found one that I will keep and use.

I bought SmartPak's Plymouth Dressage Bridle ($64.95). Here's what SmartPak says about the bridle: Plymouth bridles are crafted in imported leather with fine details and stainless steel hardware at an unbeatable value. Traditional styling and unprecedented quality in this price range. Available exclusively at SmartPak. Beautifully crafted with a raised and soft padded 1" flash noseband and 3/4" browband. A perfect schooling bridle designed for daily use. Updated hook stud closures on 5/8” cheeks. Complete with 5/8" web reins with leather stops.

The bridle has a five star rating and 141 reviews. I figured it was a safe bet. When I took it out of the box, all of the pieces were wrapped individually which means they were all flat, including the brow band. It wasn't quite as soft as I was expecting so I quickly conditioned it and left it in a warm place for a few hours. Several days later, I re-checked it and was quite pleased with how soft it now feels.

As far as fit, it's not quite right. But of course. The brow band and throat latch fit, which is a common problem for Speedy. The cheek pieces are exactly right, which is a bonus. The problem is the caveson; it's on the last hole. I am hoping that it will get a nice bend with some use as well as stretch out a bit. The flash is also a bit short, but it works.

Caveson is on the last hole

Not a lot of room left on the flash, but it works.

He always looks so cranky in these tack photos.

These reins were not included. I ordered the Passier laced reins which I prefer over the web reins which came with the bridle.

SmartPak was offering 20% off all SmartPak products so I got the bridle for closer to $50 with the web reins included. For the price, I think it's a great bridle. I am thinking of ordering one for Sydney, too.

Sandra link

8/18/2013 02:13:42 am

That's the bridle I use also and LOVE it! Varro also has a weird shaped head. (Being 1/2 Arabian) I bought it around 2 years ago and it is still going strong! It is on the last hole on the flash and I really should poke another hole in it for the most proper fit, but it works very well for us. I am quite hard on my tack and do not clean/condition it as much as I should which is why I am so pleased that it has held up this long! GREAT post!

Karen

8/18/2013 03:39:57 am

I've since conditioned the bridle a second time and am really liking how soft it is getting. I also buckle the caveson into a small circle while it's hanging up, which has seemed to help it stretch and lay better so that it's now on the second hole. Which size did you buy, Sandra? If I get one for Sydney, I am not sure if the horse size will be right. Although the good thing with SmartPak is that sized items ship free both ways.

Sandra

8/18/2013 04:23:25 am

I bought the Full size for Varro and the O/S size for Apollo (dutch warmblood) I have noticed that on both sizes, the flash is sized "funny" but you can easily poke holes in it to make it fit better.

8/18/2013 08:04:01 am

Thanks, Sandra, good to know!

Erica link

8/18/2013 07:34:14 am

I've got the same one too! I figured if I'm going to show dressage I might as well match finally--even if it's for one stinkin' show this year...school kind of took over.
I'll be in Tehachapi on the 25th with a yellow pony in tow! Look forward to seeing you there.

8/18/2013 08:06:47 am

I am glad to hear this bridle is so well used! It seems as though I finally made a decent purchase. Hopefully you'll see a new and improved Sydney and not the terror that I've been toting around. Best of luck to you at the show. :0)

What are your fall plans (not horse, but life. Or, horse plans, too!)?

Erica

8/18/2013 09:01:45 am

I'll be here in Bakersfield. I graduated in June and I'm currently working for a farming company. I'm planning on taking a class at BC just for fun fall semester. Since it's harvest, I'm really having to work to squeeze in riding time, but hopefully things will slow down right before it turns to winter.
Horse plans--just keep riding and working on improvement (and having fun!) I'm excited to be back at my home barn. It means a lot less worrying for me and a chance to do some serious schooling!
Good luck to you at the show as well!

8/18/2013 09:36:43 am

I remember graduating; it was such a relief to really get my life started! :0)

My husband has a degree in ag-businesss and has worked for several large agricultural companies near Bakersfield so I know all about harvest. He currently works for Pandol Bros.

t sounds as though you have good life plan going; keep it up. :0)

Kelly link

8/18/2013 08:40:57 am

Looks nice on him! Webbed reins came with my bridle and I hate them - always had laced ones before.

8/18/2013 08:45:41 am

Thanks, Kelly. I like laced reins because they have more grip than the web reins. Here in California though, laced reins aren't very commonly used by dressage riders. Do you see them used more routinely in Indiana or Kentucky? They're quite popular with the h/j crowd here.

Austen link

8/18/2013 11:49:07 pm

I find that web reins seem to be typical of dressage riders. Not many laced reins to be seen. However, a lot of people will upgrade their web reins to rubber.

My new bridle has rubberized web reins. I hate them. They are too narrow for me to hold, and they keep slipping though my fingers. I'd love to replace them with a set of full rubber, like I used to have.

8/23/2013 11:57:34 am

I used a pair of Wintec rubber reins but didn't like how the rubber left black marks on my hands (before I wore gloves regularly). Maybe better quality reins don't leave the black marks?

SpinklerBandit link

8/18/2013 10:03:53 am

No worries. You are welcome to the 'cheap tack ho princess' title. I'm all about buying more expensive stuff because I adore nice leather. I just can't do the cheap stuff, regardless of how nice online reviews say it is. Hadfield vs smartpak? Not a competition.

That said, it looks very nice on your guy and I'm glad it makes you happy. I suspect your bank account is very happy as well.

8/18/2013 11:21:46 am

I am from the land of synthetics so it is easier to spend big bucks over there. :0)

Hillary link

8/18/2013 10:13:29 am

I bought Houston this bridle (the Smartpak elite) and was happy initially but after about a month of use the "leather" was peeling and cracking and I was not impressed. Smartpak did take the bridle back but I think that in the future it's made me skeptical of their leather products.

If I had only spent $60 I guess it would have been more okay but I bought it for over $110 and it fit very weirdly. It did stretch a lot but that wasnt a benefit in my eyes.

Hope you continue to enjoy it. I have now learned that I am too much of a leather snob and I am better off saving and buying a bridle that will make me happier then buying many less expensive bridles that I am constantly unhappy with.

8/18/2013 11:23:22 am

I'll have to watch for cracking. I've conditioned it twice now, and it "seems" supple. I guess only time will tell. I am a halter snob, but hate the hassle of leather. ;0)

Sarah link

8/19/2013 04:04:48 am

I think the bridle looks excellent on Speedy. I'll be interested to know how the bridle fares over time. Personally I'm a webbed rein girl myself, since I'm working on keeping shorter reins the stoppers really help me not to slide on accident!

8/23/2013 11:54:12 am

The problem I have with web reins is that my fingers slide to the next stopper. If the length I need is in between the stoppers, I struggle to maintain it.

Saiph link

8/21/2013 11:39:18 pm

I have this bridle too! I've had it for 2 years so far and am just super happy with it. It's my all-around bridle: for schooling, for trails, and for clinics/shows - I have the fancy Plymouth bling browband that I'll swap in for special occasions. It came with the bridle for free at the time.
The bridle has only gotten softer with age, and the buckles are holding up well, despite having it in high-humidity FL for the first year. No rust. I like that it is fairly easy to swap out bits. Sometimes those hook-stud closures are a pain to handle, but not so with this bridle.
Hope Sydney only continues to improve! It has been awesome reading the way you're handling his issues, as I've had similar problems with my mare.

8/23/2013 11:55:42 am

Thanks for the bridle feedback - great to know. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage