Pony Bridles
- Frequently asked questions
- Which bridle is suitable for ponies?
- Which bridle is suitable for Shetland ponies?
- Which pony bridle is anatomically shaped?
- Which bitless bridle is suitable for ponies?
Which bridle is suitable for ponies?
Bridle types suitable for ponies are:
- Flash bridle
- Hannover bridle
- Grackle bridle
- Bitless bridle
With a drop noseband, the noseband is buckled in front of the bit, keeping it very still in the mouth. This requires a fine rider's hand and a relaxed seat, which many young riders and novice riders do not have. The drop bridle also requires a long mouth, otherwise the corners of the mouth are squeezed by the bit. For ponies with small, round mouths, a flash noseband is therefore preferable to the drop noseband.
Grackle nosebands offer a lot of freedom to breathe due to their straps being crossed on the bridge of the nose. If you take your pony to showjumping competitions, a grackle noseband may be the bridle of choice.
Ponies that respond very well to weight aids and have a good relationship with their rider can also be ridden with a bitless bridle. You can find bitless bridles with single or multiple action in our online shop.
Which bridle is suitable for Shetland ponies?
A flash bridle is the best choice for miniature Shetland ponies. It has a variety of adjustment possibilities so that it can be adapted well to the small, wide heads of the Shetland ponies. The noseband distributes the pressure broadly over the bridge of the nose and still offers the Shetland pony plenty of freedom for its mouth activity. And when you hitch up your Shetland pony to a sulky, a flash bridle is also best suited.
Which pony bridle is anatomically shaped?
There are different types of anatomically shaped bridles. In our online shop you can choose between pony bridles with an anatomically shaped headpiece, a curved browband or an anatomically shaped noseband.
With an anatomically shaped headpiece, you should make sure that the strap is not too wide and presses on your pony's sensitive atlas vertebrae. Ponies have narrower necks than even a small horse and therefore not much room for a wide, anatomically shaped headpiece. At the same time, there are also ponies with thick or long necks for which a bridle with a wide neck and wide ears fits well.
New, innovative bridle designs have both an anatomically shaped noseband and cheek straps. These avoid the cheekbone and the sensitive facial nerves that lie directly under the skin.
At Kramer Equestrian you can buy anatomically shaped nosebands for ponies in various designs. They are available as cavessons or flash nosebands. With our innovative CLARIDGE HOUSE bridles for ponies, you can buy a bridle that fits perfectly to the shape of your pony's head.
Which bitless bridle is suitable for ponies?
Ponies are known to be stubborn, and especially with children and young beginners ponies love to muck around. Nevertheless, they are extremely docile and willing to work. If you want to take the step towards a bitless bridle, first discuss how well your pony responds to the aids and how the communication between you goes. Trust and mutual respect are paramount in bitless riding. Get help from your riding instructor or an experienced rider who knows about bitless bridles and take the first steps together with them.
A sidepull is a good alternative to riding with a bit, because it allows the clear transmission of the lateral aids. If you have a pony that is very extroverted or always "on the go", a bridle with a wheel is recommended. Depending on the buckling, the influence can be intensified or weakened.
Remember: Even though there is no bit in the pony's mouth, the bridle can have a strong effect - again, the stronger the hand, the stronger the effect. Bitless is not automatically synonymous with gentle influence. Here too, care must be taken to ensure that the rider's hand is calm and fine. Since especially young pony riders and beginners on ponies still need to practice their relaxed seat, a bitless bridle with a wide noseband is recommended. This distributes the pressure over a large area and does not act selectively. It should also not be possible to tighten the straps when pulling the reins. If the rider's hand gives way again, the pressure on the nose bridge must also give way. We therefore recommend choosing a sidepull for ponies.