Zilco Endurance bridles

[carolinec]

Has anyone used one of the combination head-collar/bridles?

I'm considering buying one for Pip as he's a bit of a pain to get a bridle on (and can often remove it!). I thought I could travel him in the trailer in the head-collar then just convert to a bridle once we'd arrived at our destination.

I'm also looking at the Zilco deluxe breast-plate if I can get one big enough for him. I'm tempted by the fact that all the Zilco products can just be cleaned under the tap, I'm sick of cleaning his tack every time I go out hacking or to the beach.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

[harleydales]

Yep, I've got one and like it. I've also got a webbing one for Harley (not Zilco) - made out of headcollar material. Both get flung in the washing machine and come out looking good.

Watch the sizing though for the Zilco - I've got a cob sixed one that won't go near Harley, but jsut fits Lady. I've got Zilco driving harness too and it is all XL for Harley, so send your measurements to the company before you buy. I think Performance Equestrian do them as well.
Harley is 15.1 though, so quite a big lad!

I always change into a dry headcollar at the end of a ride - I find Harley prefers that and it lets me wash and dry his face and ears more easily. A bit like us and how nice it feels to put a fresh shirt on when we've got hot and sticky (washing his face also reduces his heart rate dramatically!)

I have a Libby's breastplate that converts to a martingale for Harley as well, and find it very good, no chafeing and it also gets lobbed in the washer with everything else! He has a full sized breast plate with a cob sized martingale attachment.

[carolinec]

Thanks Jane.
I've looked on Performance Equestrien and they do their own range now called Perfeq which looks good. Pip is very broad across the chest & nose so he takes full-size tack but a cob-size martingale is a very good idea.

[harleydales]

It's the throat that I always find too tight, on most bridles! Even on Lady the Zilco is on the last hole, but she's got quite fat cheeks!!

A shame he's full sized or I would have sent you the Zilco combi to try. I can measure it for you if you want so you get an idea of the dimensions?

[carolinec]

Thanks again Jane

I have ordered the Zilco Marathon Bridle/halter and a Deluxe breastplate (both in red). I'll let you know if they fit or not.

[carolinec]

They've arrived and I'm very impressed with the quality.

Won't have chance to try them on Pip until Saturday. The bridle looks big enough but the breast plate is "cob" size (they only stocked 1 size and it didn't say what size). I'm not sure it will fit even on the biggest fitting. It might if I remove the strap that goes over his head and just keep the attachments to the saddle like his current leather breastplate.

I'll update once I've tried them on.

[sck1]

Ive come late to this. I bought a Zilco which fitted fine, until we went on a long distance trek down the Penine Bridleway for 4 days and then it seemed to rub on the noseband. So I then went to Performance Equestrian and got a custom made one from there and that is actually even nicer - fit (obviously) is great but the plastic is softer and I do all my trec competitions with it on.

S

[carolinec]

Well, I tried on all the tack and it fits!
I could "possibly" have got away with a cob size bridle but the Full size fits well on some of the smaller holes (I might need to cut some of the staps a bit smaller). I'm amazed that the
breastplate fits, he must have lost a lot of weight since I got him last year, so I'm really pleased. Washable tack here we come!

[SuzieP]

I'm going to get Bea a bridle from Performance Equestrian for Trec this year - probably a neon yellow one to go with all the rest of his hi-viz stuff.

What is it about hi-viz that is so compulsive? LOL

[carolinec]

I did contemplate yellow/black but succumbed to Red to match his travel rug/boots/head collar/bucket..........

Hmmmmm.... I do have my eye on a matching red saddle bag from Performance Equestrien too.

[harleydales]

I've got the red saddle bag - is it the cantle bag? I used it for the 100 mile ride I did a few years ago and thoroughly recommend it.

Harley is a green geezer, Lady hasn't got a colour scheme yet!!

[The Moo]

I'm looking to get a synthetic bridle for Ed as cleaning tack has lost its' appeal.

I'm undecided about which style is best, either the two part one like this www.performance-equestrian.com/cat/catitem.asp?pc=PEBIODLHB&d=2&s=6&ss=2 or the style where the bit part clips onto the cheek pieces like Caroline has for Pip.

SuzieP, which one did you get and how is it working out.

Is biothane a trade name - will all biothane tack be the same or is there a noticeable difference in softness/comfort. I've tried webbing bridles before and found the fit a bit weird and their floppiness a bit, well, floppy.

Thanks for your comments

[SuzieP]

LOL - I didn't get one in the end (short of funds!). Just as well as the comps I've entered have been cancelled because of the weather!

Maybe next year.

[harleydales]

I think biothane is a general name as lots of different sites use it and it's all the same!

I would say Zilco hold their shape very well and don't go floppy, but I've also just bought a biothane hackamore from www.bitlessandbarefoot.com and am delighted with it too. It's been washed heaps since I bought it and is standing up well to endurance and all the sweat that goes with the sport!

[heathera]

I've recently tried my friends Arab size Zilco bridle on my lot. It would have fitted Rose OK at 13.3hh and quite fine for a Dales and just about fitted Tola, 14.2 chunky girl, on all the largest holes but it didn't go near the boys at all

I didn't like the look of it much though as the straps are really narrow and look a bit insubstantial on the Dales heads.

If I have the pennies next year I think I'll go back to Plas Equestrian for a webbing one as they made Drummer's as a custom size for me 12 odd years ago and it's still going strong and looking great.