How do I find the correct bridle for my horse?

Like the saddle, the bridle is part of the basic equipment when riding horses. It is an important means of communication between rider and horse, whereby the rider’s weight and the leg aids should be the first and foremost signal. Signalling via the reins and the horse’s mouth should be supportive.

In this guide we point out the effect of the different types of bridles and show the importance of why a bridle should be fitted correctly.

Bridle and noseband – a conceptual distinction

A bridle is fitted around the horse’s head and holds the bit. The bridle consists of various individual parts or straps, which are also assembled in different ways. This results in various types of bridles, which we will examine in more detail in the following sections. The noseband is part of the bridle. Rarely are bridles used without a noseband.

How is a bridle constructed?

A bridle is usually made of leather straps, as leather is a natural material that is very hard-wearing and rarely causes allergic skin reactions. However, there are also bridles made of imitation leather, for example, of robust but easy-to-clean Sylka.

Regardless of whether it is genuine or imitation leather, a bridle must be cleaned regularly and treated with a leather care product. To ensure that every strap receives the full care, it is advisable to disassemble the bridle. So that you don’t have any problems when reassembling, we have summarised the structure of a bridle for you here:

1. Crown piece: The crown piece runs behind the ears and holds the complete bridle in place. The crown piece must not press against the base of the ears, as this is where the sensitive parotid gland and bursa are located and this can also block the jaw joint. Soft padding is also recommended to avoid pressure peaks on the occipital bone.

The wider the crown piece, the better. This is because the pressure is distributed more easily, which is more comfortable for the horse. Nevertheless, the width of the crown piece must also fit the shape of the horse’s head. If the crown piece is wider than the head itself, it can quickly put pressure on the vertebrae behind it.

Structure of a bridleDownload

2. Browband: The browband, as the name suggests, runs across the horse’s brow. It not only serves as an eye-catcher, but also prevents the bridle from slipping backwards. At the same time, it must not be too tight, otherwise it will pull the crown piece against the ears. The browband is usually replaceable and is often used by horse owners to add a bit of glitz and glamour to their horse’s outfit, for example with rhinestone-studded browbands.

3. Cheek piece: The two lateral cheek pieces hold the bit in place. Ideally they run vertically along the horse’s head, with sufficient distance to the horse’s eye and the cheekbone. In anatomical bridles the cheek piece can take different courses to go around flat lying facial nerves.

4. Throatlash: The throatlatch prevents the horse from easily removing the bridle. It must be buckled loosely that the horse has sufficient freedom to breathe and swallow when in contact and acceptance of the bit, but the cheek pieces do not slip into the eye.

5. Noseband: The noseband can have different shapes and buckles depending on the type of bridle. It lies around the bridge of the nose and is closed in the chin groove or at the lower jaw bones. The type of noseband determines the type of bridle. With cavesson and flash bridles, the noseband lies behind or under the bit, whereas a drop noseband is buckled in front of the bit. To give the horse enough room to chew, breathe and swallow, there should be room for one to two fingers between the bridge of the nose and the noseband.

6. Flash strap: The flash strap is found on the flash bridles. It can provide additional stability for the bit and distribute the pressure from the mouth to the bridge of the nose and the chin groove. You can find more information about the flash strap in the bridle accessories guide.

How does a bridle fit correctly?

To prevent the bridle from causing damage to bones, thin skin or the sensitive facial nerves, all parts of the bridle have their assigned place on the horse’s head. An incorrectly buckled noseband that pinches can lead to rideability problems or to the head being held crooked, thus hindering thoroughness. Therefore, the bridle fits correctly as follows:

• There is room for two fingers between the noseband and the cheekbone
• Two fingers can be slid under the noseband on the bridge of the nose. It is also possible to run a finger completely around the noseband. You can read more about adjusting the noseband under point 10 of the FAQ.
• The cheek pieces must run along behind the cheekbone. They must also not lie in front of it, otherwise they can slip into the eye.
• The cheek pieces are adjusted in length so that the mouthpiece lies quietly in the horse’s mouth without jamming in the corners of the mouth. A rough guide is one fold at the corner of the mouth. You can read about how the bit fits correctly in the bridle in the FAQ.
• The throatlash should be buckled so loosely that a fist fits between the cheeks and the strap. In this way it does not pull into the horse’s cheek or throat.
• The browband should be loose around the forehead. The standard measurement for full is 42cm in length.

Bridle designs – What kind of bridles are there?

All bridles have the same function: to guide and restrain the horse. Nevertheless, there are now a large number of variations of bridles, and you should pay attention to the details. Although they have one and the same main function, they make a difference in the distribution of pressure and thus also in their range of application. There are the following types of bridles:

• Cavesson or flash nosebands
• Pull back nosebands
• Drop nosebands
• Grackle nosebands
• Anatomical nosebands
• Bitless bridles

You can find more information on Western headstalls in our comprehensive guide to Western riding.

Cavesson or flash nosebands:

The most commonly used noseband is the cavesson or the flash noseband, as it suits just about every type of horse’s head, horse character and riding discipline. The cavesson noseband consists of a strap that runs behind the bit. If a locking strap is also buckled to the noseband, which runs in front of the bit, the cavesson noseband is transformed into a flash noseband.

The noseband should come to rest two fingers under the cheekbone and must not rub against it to prevent open skin and pinching of the facial nerve. Two placed fingers should fit under both the noseband and the flash strap.

The pressure of a cavesson is distributed by the pull of the reins, which causes the horse to open its jaw slightly, thereby exerting pressure on the bridge of the nose – the horse yields. The narrower the noseband, the more direct and precise the pressure on the bridge of the nose and jaw. The wider the noseband, the greater the distribution of pressure.

The noseband in itself provides guidance for the horse’s jaw and prevents the horse from shifting the lower jaw strongly to the side. If a flash strap is also used, the bit is not only given more stability. The pressure is further distributed on the chin groove and helps the horse to relax the jaw.

Pull back nosebands & double bridles:

A pull back noseband is constructed in the same way as a cavesson or a flash noseband and is available either with or without a flash strap. However, the noseband is buckled under the jaw by means of a pulley. The action and buckling are otherwise identical to that of the cavesson noseband.

Special care must be taken when fastening the noseband, as the pulley can have the effect of a hoist and the noseband can easily be buckled too tightly. This exerts unpleasant pressure on the lower jaw bones, causes the jaw joints to tilt and, in the worst case, can even damage important facial nerves. When closing the noseband, pay close attention to the 2-finger rule.

An extension of the crank flash bridle is the double bridle. This has a second cheek strap so that the bradoon and weymouth bit can be attached. Consequently, two pairs of reins are also used here. A double bridle is usually buckled at the lower jaw with a pulley, just like the crank flash bridle. In addition, a curb chain is used to limit the leverage effect of the long shanks.

Drop nosebands:

In contrast to the nosebands already presented, the drop noseband has only one nose strap, which forms a unit with the chinstrap and is buckled in front of the bit. As the noseband lies relatively far forward on the bridge of the nose and can easily press on the exposed nose tip bone if not buckled correctly, it is imperative that you pay attention to four fingers: There should be four fingers between the nostrils and the noseband.

When the reins are shortened, the pressure is transferred from the mouth to the nose bone and chin groove, with the greatest pressure peaks acting on the nose. This makes the noseband sharper and more precise than a cavesson noseband. However, if it is buckled incorrectly, it can not only massively restrict chewing and breathing, but in the worst case it can also break the nose bone if the rein pressure becomes too strong.

The advantages of the drop noseband are above all the steady position of the bit, as the noseband takes on the function of a flash strap. The jaw is stabilised, lateral displacement of the jaw joint is minimised and the bit is not jammed between the mouth corner and the strap. The aids are transmitted more directly, which is why a steady rider’s hand is necessary.

This type of buckling is particularly suitable for horses with a long mouth. It is more of a hindrance for horses with a short mouth, as the noseband would then no longer come to rest on the bony, firm bridge of the nose.

Grackle noseband:

The grackle or Mexican noseband differs visually from the bridles already presented. Here, two straps cross over the bridge of the nose, are connected to each other by a rosette and are closed in the chin groove. This type of buckling keeps the horse’s airways as free as possible, which is why the Mexican noseband is very popular in show jumping and eventing.

At the same time, it is not as sharp as a flash or drop noseband. It also has less of an effect on the mouth as is the case with other nosebands.

When using the noseband, care should be taken that it is buckled loosely. Otherwise the upper strap or the connecting rings will press on the cheekbone and cause pressure points. At the same time, the rosette must not slip and must remain centered on the bridge of the nose. An advantage of the grackle noseband is the different types of bit that can be used. Bit rings that would otherwise get caught in other bridles work very well in combination with this bridle, such as full cheek bits.

Innovation: Anatomical Bridles

Bridles have come a long way in recent years. Research and a critical look at the anatomy of the horse’s head have led manufacturers to develop bridles that leave out important facial nerves of the horse.

In many of the anatomical bridle designs, all the straps are interconnected and cannot be separated. The course of the straps leaves important facial nerves out, so that no pressure is exerted on them when the bridle is fitted correctly. The cheek piece is slanted or non-linear so that the cheekbone is exposed and the eye also enjoys a lot of freedom. Generous recesses are also found on the crown piece so that pressure peaks neither on the occipital bone nor on the parotid gland.

They often look like a drop noseband where the chinstrap runs along in front of the bit. However, there are also anatomical bridles without a „flash strap“ – these then run behind the bit.

Bitless bridles:

Last but not least, there is the option of using bridles without a bit. Here the reins are connected to the bridle via side rings. This means that the horse is not influenced by the bit, but by the head, chin and bridge of the nose, depending on how the bridle is buckled. There are different types of bitless bridles, which can be chosen according to the temperament and character of the horse.

Which bitless bridle is suitable for which horse, as well as a detailed description of the effects, can be found in our guide to bitless bridles.

How do I find the correct bridle for my horse?

The choice of the appropriate bridle depends on the one hand on the riding discipline, whether it is traditional or Western riding and whether it is showjumping, eventing or dressage, as well as on the individual sensitivities of the horse.

In showjumping and eventing, a grackle or Mexican bridle, which allows a lot of freedom to breathe, is recommended. Here, however, the aids are not so clearly transferable.

When in riding lessons where fine and precise communication between rider and horse is necessary, a cavesson, flash or drop noseband is the better choice. Likewise, for horses that tilt easily in the jaw joint, a noseband that gives stability is the way to go.

Sensitive horses should be ridden without a flash strap. In this case, a cavesson noseband without additional straps is recommended.

For horses that feel constricted with too many straps and also have a long mouth, a drop noseband is suitable.

A bitless bridle is suitable for horses that have, for example, dental problems, very sensitive mouth corners or only little space between the jaws. However, anyone who wants to ride their horse without a bit and has a steady, experienced hand can also use a bitless bridle. You can find more on this topic in the section bitless riding.

In addition to the correct bridle, the size of the bridle is of course also important. In our FAQ about bridles and bridle accessories, we have compiled a table with guideline figures that can make it easier to determine the most suitable bridle size.