Bridle sizing - Help!

[benjismum]

Does anyone else find they need a mix of bridle sizes for their Dales? I was hoping to get a Sabre Eton Hunter bridle for Pippa but I've just tried Alfs full size bridle on her, which was huge, so then tried Asters bridle which I thought was a cob size, but this still seemed too big for Pippa, as the bit was quite low in her mouth, even with the cheek pieces on the last hole!

So the tape measure has come out, but this has just completely confused me, as Asters bridle must have a full sized headpiece, but cob sized cheekpieces, but when I've measured Pippas head - top of bit to eye(approx buckle location)this has come out as a pony sized 7inches! but the bit to bit measurement (over the head) is 38 inches, which is a full size. Is it really likely that she would need a full size headpiece but pony size cheek pieces? or are my measurements dodgy?

The browband measurement is 16.5inches which is actually full/X Full! and the noseband measurement is 26inches which is a full.

I'm fairly certain that her head isn't deformed lol, but I'm also fairly certain that I measured as accurately as possible . Sabre do a mix and match service, but I really don't want to be messing about for weeks sending parts back and re-ordering if I can avoid it, so I'd love to hear what size bridles/components everyone has for their ponies, many thanks xx

[zeldalithgow]

Yep full headpiece, cob cheeks and x full browband, we don't tend to use nosebands much but they are usually cob - aren't Dales wonderful lol

[dalesnfellfan]

Both Spud (Fell) and Emerald have full size headpiece, cob cheeks and cob noseband, although Spud could really do with a full noseband and Em could take pony cheek pieces, both take full/ ex full browband.

[harveydales]

Yep, Harvey is the same - extra full brow band, full sixe nose band and headpiece, cob size cheek pieces. A right pain!

[benjismum]

thank you everyone, that's made me a bit more confident to order a mix of sizes for her with luck getting a saddle to fit her might be easier - some hope lol!

[tinkerdorisalison]

Just had a thought - I put Doris's old bridle (which suited her perfectly) on Duke and it was lost! I wouldn't say he has an overly big head, but he will def need wider noseband and cheeks (which might only come in f/s?)

[ikklecob]

Yep I had one made to measure for shows and needed a range of sized parts to make up a day to day bridle.

[DalesLady]

Oddly we have never used anything other than cob sized bridles on any of ours. Apart from adjusting the length of the cheek pieces for different ponies, they have never needed anything except cob. We use sabre or Jeffries for showing, but we have a couple of cheaper ones for messing around with at home.

[heathera]

Rose (13.3hh) is cob size all round. Tola (14.1hh) is cob cheekpieces and headpiece and full nose and brow band. Merlin (15.1hh) is full size noseband and headpiece, cob cheeks and an extra full browband.

I like Jeffries but have a very good saddler nearby who custom makes most of my bridles now for no more than I'd pay for off the peg.

[benjismum]

Well Pippas new bridle arrived yesterday, and Debbie checked it for me today and it is fine apart from the noseband which is on the last hole(although reasonably loose), but as it might stretch and Pippa has lots of beard to lose in the summer, it should be fine.

We ended up with Full size headpiece and noseband, cob cheekpieces and oversize browband (same as Merlin). She looks brill in it, I am going to feel ever so smart (if we overlook the mud and shavings attached to her!)

[valerie n scout]

Am laughing at the comment mud and shavings attached, me and Scout went out the other day and he had bits that had to be ignored too !
The bridle sounds fab x