29/04/2026
Great post about Micklem bridles, they don’t suit every horse 🐴
🐎 Do you use a micklem or similar bridles?
Many people ask me about the 'micklem' or similar style of bridles that have an 'anatomical' shape.
First of all, I recognise that some horses 'go well' in these types of bridles, but i think that's a matter of opinion as it's likely that previous bridles have been so poorly fitted.
But here are some points about these bridles I'm sure you haven't previously thought about.
This is one of my clients I recently visited. They very kindly allowed me to demonstrate why I tend to find 9/10 micklem or similar bridles dont fit well or suit some horse's head shape.
With everything, the horse has to have the right head for the bridle. Not all bridles are a 'one style for all', much like our human clothing and horse rugs, etc.
So, on the left is an image of where the owner had fitted the bridle.
Points to make here
- The noseband is too low and presses on soft tissue of the nasal cavity and onto the fragile nasal bone
- The strap around the mouth, so many people say to me, 'it's not a flash'. No, it's a drop noseband. Especially fitted too low, which these often are, they act like a drop noseband, and you can over tighten them to forcefully close the mouth. The drop puts pressure onto the danger zone around the nasal areas! There's no arguing here. If people are inclined to do it up tight, this is what happens.
- The buckle is way too close to the TMJ and placed too high on the Trigeminal nerve before it branches and over the main nerve centre up there!
Photo 2 - I lifted it up on the cheek buckles (note that the throatlash strap is actually not done up and I am holding it back so it's not dangling as it was now too small to go around the horses jaw).
- The noseband is in a much better position on the nasal plane. However, the curve of the noseband is rubbing too close to the sharp cheek bones.
- The buckle is now riding the TMJ and the facial nerves
- The headpiece has become tighter to the poll and pressing into the poll, ear, and brow area.
Photo 3 I have dropped it so that the buckle is at eye level between where the Trigeminal Nerve branches. (Again, I'm holding the throatlash strap)
- The noseband is so low!
- The bit can not be lifted any higher in the mouth and is sitting very loosely. With the possibility of sawing in the mouth, hitting teeth, and being very uncomfortable for her.
Bless her she was so very patient with us while we faffed with her bridle.
It demonstrates why these bridles are very hard to adjust and position right on the majority of horses.
I often see other types of bits being used with these bridles too ie gags and pelhams. They are only designed to be used with snaffles. Anything else will negate the poll pressure and transfer 100% of the pressure onto the mouth.
