Asb hunter - what bridle?

[earsup]

I'm just dipping my toe in the water this spring... And I'm not certain what type of bridle is "correct" for the breed ring.

I plan to use a Pelham, so I need two reins. But, all of the hunter bridles i've seen online and in tack shops have just the one braided rein and it tends to be thicker than what I think would be practical to use with a second rein.

What I haven't seen is alternate double reins available that match the bridles.

I've looked at pictures online, but it's difficult to see the detail of the bridles.

For my first show--this weekend (!)--I'm patching something together from borrowed tack, but I want to be correct going forward.

Thoughts?

[SmartAlex]

Well, what I do is use the braided rein that comes with the bridle on the snaffle ring, then add a 1/2" or 3/8" smooth rein (http://www.fennells.com/store/products.asp?vendorid=295&h1=287&h2=288&h3=289&h4=290&h5=291&h6=292&h7=293&h8=294&h9=295&h10=296&h11=298&h12=897&h13=1864&h14=1866&h15=2005&i=289&Table=products&css=&i1=Horse+Equipment&r1=154&i2=Bridlework&r2=289&sk=Reins)on the curb ring.

[asb_own_me]

What SmartAlex said, or I actually have a 3/8" braided rein on my curb. (I show my ASB hunter in a full bridle, hunter-appropriate length curb shanks)

[Sunmaster]

If you're looking for brand suggestions, I've got one! When I started showing my horse in hunter county pleasure classes I bought a "Bobby's English Tack" bridle upon recommendation from friends with morgan hunters (hunt seat was a whole new world for my trainer and I and we didn't know what brand to look for) and I've been very pleased with it. Great quality, supple leather and has held up very well. A great value for its reasonable price. They make both flat and fancy stitched varieties.

I showed in a full bridle (albeit with curb shanks that may have been slightly longer than is preferred...shorter than for saddle seat, but I would have gone shorter had horsie's health not led to his sudden retirement). As for the reins, old habits are hard to break and my 20+ years riding exclusively saddle seat (and my trainer's considerably longer than that;) ) led me to use snaffle and curb reins roughly of "saddle seat" widths (braided snaffle, too). Quite honestly, it seems to me the hunter county pleasure classes are still a fairly "new frontier" and you see rather varied bridles and bits; the rules aren't terribly specific either. At the time I was shopping Bobby's English Tack made a hunter weymouth bridle, so it was easy to find the matching reins in the sizes I wanted.

Try to be as close to "correct" (however loosely defined it may be!) as you are able, but also realize that there will be variation in what riders are using. Also, the person who is judging the class at a breed show is unlikely to be overly familiar with current hunter trends so you're probably not in danger of being penalized for having reins that are too thick or too thin.:D

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/26414/2317109580044457443S600x600Q85.jpg

[SmartAlex]

What a gorgeous head shot!

My bridle is raised with the fancy stitching. Stubben ebony to go with my saddle. For a back-up I also have a cheap brown raised fancy stitch from Schneider's tack which looks just fine.

[earsup]

Thanks for the tips--this helps. Neither my trainer nor I know diddly about hunt seat. My show entry is essentially an AOT project--I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm having fun :)

And yes Sunmaster, beautiful head shot!!


One more (probably stupid) question--what about the breastplate--is it supposed to match (as in same brand/style) as the bridle, or does it just need to be the same color leather?

[Sunmaster]

One more (probably stupid) question--what about the breastplate--is it supposed to match (as in same brand/style) as the bridle, or does it just need to be the same color leather?
Not a stupid question...I'm sure I asked the same one. I would say as long as the colors match, you're fine. Come to think of it, I believe the breastplate I have was made by Freedman's, like my saddle. (Though I'm not entirely sure, because I looked at their website and it doesn't appear that they're making either anymore...) That said, I was just looking at proofs from a recent show, and 4 of the 6 entries aren't even using a breastplate...if you'd rather go without. Good luck in your show, whatever you decide!

And thank you both so much for your comments on the headshot. He's my handsome baby, hot mess of heaves and insulin resistance though he may be.:wub:

[SmartAlex]

I'm not a huge fan of breast plates, but IMO you should match the bridle. OR, if you have a raise fancy stitch bridle you could go with a plain flat breastplate. But, if you have a plain flat bridle, I would NOT do a raised fancy breastplate.

[Jackandmo]

My show bridle has recently become my work bridle, so I am in search of a new show bridle! Thanks for this thread!

I think a breast plate makes for an overall nicer picture (although it's not necessary) and I think that bridles, breast plates, AND saddles should match (or be very, very close.)

I've recently seen a lot of photos where equipment was extremely contrasting in color, and it just looked weird to me.

I also think the equipment color should match the horse!!

[SmartAlex]

Well, what I do is use the braided rein that comes with the bridle on the snaffle ring, then add a 1/2" or 3/8" smooth rein (http://www.fennells.com/store/products.asp?vendorid=295&h1=287&h2=288&h3=289&h4=290&h5=291&h6=292&h7=293&h8=294&h9=295&h10=296&h11=298&h12=897&h13=1864&h14=1866&h15=2005&i=289&Table=products&css=&i1=Horse+Equipment&r1=154&i2=Bridlework&r2=289&sk=Reins)on the curb ring.

asb_own_me, have you ever run into the problem of the reins being different lengths? Right now I'm riding with a two ring elevator and 4 reins, and the 1/2" plain rein I have as the "curb" is a few inches shorter. It's driving me nutz. I don't really want to shorten my regular rein.

[Samigator]

a breast plate isn't necessary, but it looks nice on some horses. For me it completes the picture to make a difference in appearance between my work and show attire. LOL I've seen a LOT of breastplates, and bridles for that matter, that don't match the saddle in hunters- some not even close. I had to show in my havana breast plate with my reddish bridle and saddle last year. It didn't match, but wasn't a super eye sore either. I got a new one for this year that matches, but I didn't kill myself over it because it doesn't really matter that much. I don't think a breastplate makes or breaks you in a hunter class. ;)

[asb_own_me]

If you didn't win because you didn't have a breastplate.....you get the idea. You weren't going to win anyway.

SmartAlex, no, mine are either the same length or very close to it. Never noticed otherwise.

I agree with most of what's been said about the bridles and breastplates matching. Mine do. I bought them togther - actually, my dad bought them for me ages ago. Pessoa bridle and breastplate, raised fancy stitched bridle and raised breastplate. IDK that I've really seen much fancy stitching on breastplates - if you think about it, by nature they get a lot more grime on them so really aren't suited to it. In any case, after eight solid seasons of showing, the fancy stitching isn't looking quite so fancy anymore!

IMO I like breastplates, they "finish" the look - BUT - if you have a very narrow chested horse, putting a breastplate on that horse can really accentuate that in a negative way. So take a good look at the look and the fit before you decide to show with one or not. I can think of several horses who would look nicer without one

[SmartAlex]

I don't use a breastplate on this horse because I already have trouble with the saddle slipping forward. On my big appy hunter, I had to use a breastplate to keep the saddle forward. If you do use one, adjust it so it looks like it's doing something, not just hanging there.

[RedsLady]

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/26414/2317109580044457443S600x600Q85.jpg

I :wub: Skippy. He is so handsome. He looks like my last horse ,Cosmo.

[asb_own_me]

I love that picture too. He's so droolworthy!

[asb_own_me]

I don't use a breastplate on this horse because I already have trouble with the saddle slipping forward. On my big appy hunter, I had to use a breastplate to keep the saddle forward. If you do use one, adjust it so it looks like it's doing something, not just hanging there.

And there's nothing wrong with not using one because you just don't want to - I was just educating the OP on when she might not want to use one in the case of when it might detract from the horse based on the horse's build. It doesn't ever look "bad" without one. I do think Doodad looks like a (ahem....little) warhorse marching down the rail with his breastplate though.... :001_wub:

[earsup]

Thanks everyone for your responses--you've been very helpful! Since we're just starting to see some hunter classes in Ky, I've not had many first-hand observation opportunities. In fact, I don't personally know anyone who's put an ASB hunter into the ring, so I've had to rely on watching videos and looking at pictures.

I'm going to take my own topic off-topic, but I have a question about braiding the mane...

I've practiced the french braid a few times with varied results. I understand how to do the braid, but any suggestions about preparing it pre-braid--ie gel, wetting etc? I'm getting some short hairs that want to stick out and look messy.

[SmartAlex]

I think you're referring to a "running braid" as a "french braid" is truely that, where you part the mane down the middle and add hair to both sides of the braid, not just one as in a running braid.

They actualy sell a product called Quic Braid to help with the slippery messy problems. Braid the running braid the last thing as you get ready. Keep the horse tied because if he lowers his head any further than it was when the braid was put in it will stretch and wave.

[bluepony33]

Quic Braid is a wonderful product.
Do keep your horse tied after he's braided.
While braiding allow your horse to keep a lower neck set.:yes: If you hold his head up, while braiding your braid will pull on his neck in the ring when he's in the hunter frame. Thus causing the braid to fall out and possible discomfort to your horse.

[Sunmaster]

Quic Braid is a wonderful product.
Do keep your horse tied after he's braided.
While braiding allow your horse to keep a lower neck set.:yes: If you hold his head up, while braiding your braid will pull on his neck in the ring when he's in the hunter frame. Thus causing the braid to fall out and possible discomfort to your horse.

Another fan of Quic Braid here.

Though...we also found Aqua Net to be quite effective in a pinch...:oops:

And (off topic) thank you asb_own_me and RedsLady! That picture does brighten my mood when I get to missing showing him lots: I like to look his happy self and remember the fun we had (well, I had fun...I won't presume to speak for horsie... ;) ). RedsLady, in my highly biased opinion, your Cosmo must have been a real looker! :)

[earsup]

Thanks for the tips--I got the Quic Braid and it is a miracle!! It made braiding the mane so easy and it stayed tight until I unbraided.

I did use a little hairspray too--just in case.

[Sit]

I've shown a couple of times in a double bridle and took the braided hunt seat rein and put it on the snaffle and my regular show snaffle rein and put it on the curb, like a couple of others have said. It looks and works fine.

I didn't know anything to start with (maybe still don't), but we went ahead and started showing hunt seat and figured it out as we went along. Not flat walking and not halting will get you beat -- tack doesn't!

I don't braid the mane or tail out of personal preference (and it is not required). We are showing Saddlebreds after all, often with beautiful manes and tails and beautiful colors in them. I do block the mane and the end of the tail. Just some of my many quirks, but French braids look cheesy to me and a braided tail lets the horse's you-know-what(s) show and accentuates any less than perfect carriage. None of those things are desirable in a Saddlebred, IMO. But braid away, if that is your preference.

Good luck and have fun!

[taylor]

A well done french braid looks awesome, can accentuate the neck like a trimmed mane on a walk-trot horse.

Double bridles are fine, but there is a rule about the length of the curb shank.

[SmartAlex]

Double bridles are fine, but there is a rule about the length of the curb shank.

And whereas the CP Western bit rule actually provides diagrams and measurements, the hunter rule is classically ambiguous:

"If a double bridle is used it must be of hunter style and excessive length of curb shank is to be penalized"

No measurements. No clarification. Hunter style as in what? Flat leather? No patent leather? No fancy stitch as you would never see that in the hunt field? Now I know what an acceptable hunter style bridle and weymouth looks like, but the way that rule is written it is wide open to interpretation.

[earsup]

and a braided tail lets the horse's you-know-what(s) show and accentuates any less than perfect carriage. None of those things are desirable in a Saddlebred, IMO. But braid away, if that is your preference.

Good luck and have fun!

Hehe... the braided tail does show a little more on our horses because of the high carriage. I thought about that after I saw show photos.

And, we did have a lot of fun! I hope to give it another try when I can find another class somewhere close--not many HCP classes in KY.

I borrowed a plain bridle from a friend and used the reins from one of my SS show bridles. I think it looked fine.

And, I decided to braid both mane and tail. I think it turned out pretty well. Tail carriage, in terms of being straight, wasn't an issue. I really liked the effect of the braided mane since it showed off the shape of his neck (which is in this case an asset), but I might like his tail down better. Can you braid just the mane?

[SmartAlex]

Yes, you can braid just the mane.

If you braid the tail, you "must" braid the mane. A braided tail and a loose mane would be a faux pas.