Bridles

The bridle – the most important piece of equipment

In the classical training of the horse, the bridle is the most important tool and often the first piece of equipment that has to be purchased when buying a horse. It is used, for example, for hand work, for training under the saddle or simply for walking or lunging. However, the lunge line should never be buckled into the bridle ring. A combination of bridle and cavesson is more suitable for this, either in a bridle or on top of each other. The lunge line can then be attached to the cavesson and there is no risk of injuring the horse's sensitive mouth.

The difference between a snaffle and a curb bit: which do you use when?

The name of the bridle is determined by the bit that is buckled into it. Over time, the terms snaffle - for the bridle that is buckled with a snaffle bit - and curb - for a bridle that is buckled with two bits, a bridle pad and a curb bit - have become common. But beware: in the discipline of working equitation and also in academic riding, at higher levels, the horse is ridden one-handed with a curb bit. In this case, only one bit, the curb bit, is buckled into the snaffle bridle. Nevertheless, the bridle is then referred to as a "curb bit" bridle.

The bridle

The bridle is particularly suitable for:

• The basic training of the young horse
• Handwork close to the horse’s body
• Leading a walk
• Lunging (with the help of the cavesson)

The curb bit

The curb bit is particularly suitable for:

• Training of advanced riders (both riders and horses)
• Handwork close to the horse’s body
• One-handed riding

The bitless bridle

The bitless bridle is particularly suitable for:

• Hand work close to the horse’s body or on the long reins
• Breaking in horses with sensitive mouths
• The double reins with a curb bit
• Lunging (used as a cavesson)

The correct fit of the bridle

A bridle usually consists of a noseband, a throatband, a browband and the cheek pieces into which the bit is buckled. When bridled with a curb bit and a snaffle bit, an additional cheek piece is needed because there are two bits in the horse's mouth. The Portuguese and Spanish bridles differ from the English bridles in that they do not have a flash strap or a noseband. Instead, the noseband is attached to the cheek pieces with a small strap. The typical Vaquero bridles also lack a throat strap. It is not absolutely necessary for a good fit on the horse's head.

Our bridles are handcrafted from vegetable-tanned cowhide by a traditional saddlery in Spain, making them of high quality and giving them an authentic look. They are made in one size that fits most Iberian breeds (PRE, Lusitano, Andalusian). The straps are easily adjustable on both sides, so adjusting them to thoroughbred and warmblood heads is usually not a problem. If you are unsure about the fit, a size chart is available for each model.

The bridle and the curb bit should always be fastened in such a way that two folds form in the corner of the mouth.

The right style for every horse – baroque, Spanish or Portuguese

The Portuguese and Spanish bridles suit almost every horse thanks to their subtle decorative buckles and elegant design and workmanship. Whether you're wearing a stylish vaquero outfit or a baroque rider, there's a bridle to suit every occasion.

In the discipline of Working Equitation, for example, you can ride in the style of the Spanish cattle herders, the Vaqueros. Their equipment includes the typical Vaquero saddle and a bridle, usually made of brown cowhide with a Mosquero, which serves as fly protection. Usually, you ride with one rein and a curb bit or with two reins with a cavesson and curb bit. However, the first variant is more common for reasons of practicality. When working in the "campo", the Vaquero holds the reins in one hand and his tool in the other - a long stick, the Garrocha.

Those who like something a little more eye-catching might prefer the Portuguese style. The bridle and saddle are decorated with eye-catching buckles and fittings. This is how the horses are dressed up in splendid style, for example, at the Portuguese Riding School in Belém, near Lisbon.

Baroque bridles in Portuguese style

Baroque bridles in the Portuguese style are particularly suitable for presenting the horse at shows. But even those who don't want to miss out on that certain something extra at home will find what they're looking for at Picadera. The decorative Cortesia bells and the narrow straps make the bridle look very classy on every horse's head. The model is available as a snaffle and a curb bridle in various leather colors - natural brown, brown and black - and with silver or gold buckles.

If that's still too simple for you, you might prefer the Charpentier bridle, which, in addition to the elaborate buckles, is decorated with matching fittings and an ornate rosette on the browband. This is removable. The wider straps make the bridle appear a little more solid and look great on a long head with a concave profile, for example on a Lusitano.

 

Spanish Vaquero Bridles

The bridle of the Vaqueros is kept rather simple. Light, cone-shaped leather applications, the pinas, decorative stitching and the buckles made of burnished iron still add that certain something. Traditionally, there is a Mosquero on the browband, which are soft, leather fly fringes. Very practical for working in the field - or for riding - where the horses are often plagued by flies. In Spain, brown leather is very popular and you see it most often. The Vaquero Clasico bridle is available in natural brown and dark brown as well as black.

Some horses are irritated by the leather mosquito that swings over their eyes with every movement. That's why there is a matching Vaquero browband with pinas, but without a mosquito. This is also a good alternative in the winter months when fly protection is not needed.

Bitless bridle – the multifunctional bridle

The Oslo bitless bridle is designed in Portuguese style and is a real eye-catcher. It can also be used as a cavesson. This makes it a great multifunctional bridle: the D-rings also allow a bit to be attached using bit straps.

This makes it suitable for the careful breaking in of particularly sensitive horses, for which a bit is only to be used during training, and at the same time ensures easy handling because the equipment does not have to be changed constantly. The headpiece and browband are softly padded and have extra ear space, which increases comfort for the horses - a plus point, especially for young horses.

Bridles from Picadera – the perfect combination of functionality & design

The equipment used should be as individual as the training path of each horse-rider pair. When selecting, the main thing is of course good quality and functionality, but not only that. Style is also important - especially if you feel you belong to a certain movement or discipline and want to show it. And after all, clothes make the man, or in this case: a beautiful horse wants to be presented accordingly.