Like all animals, horses have sensitive areas of their face that pressure should not be applied to. If you put a bridle on your horse that irritates the delicate areas of faceits , then your horse will not only face restricted movement, but could even experience circulation issues.
Anatomical bridles are designed in a way that lets you customize the fit according to the precise shape of your horse’s face. This offers a more natural level of movement and allows a horse to be comfortable. If you’re not sure how to go about this, you can check out this video on how to bridle a horse.
In this review, we are sharing a few of the top options available on the market today so that you can pick out the best anatomical bridle for your horse.
Quick Guide- Customer Highlights Of The Best Anatomical Bridle Picks
In a hurry? Here is a condensed list of our bridle picks with a verified customer review reporting the best characteristics of each.
Best Overall: ExionPro Designer English Bridle
“Beautiful bridle! Really nice leather and fits really well to the horse, not like some of the other ones that aren’t very proportionate. Have had it for a couple weeks now and have had so many compliments. Great buy!”
Best Budget: Henri De Rivel Pro Anatomical Bridle
“Substantial and soft quality leather. Great value and looks expensive.”
Best Alternative: ExionPro Comfort Lined Crownpiece English Bridle
“The leather seems like a very nice quality, the sheepskin pad on the noseband is not at all flaky or shedding, and the Horse/standard/full size works great for my average-headed 16hh Thoroughbred/paint cross.”
Best Alternative #2: ExionPro Fancy Raised Anatomic Bridle
“Ordering was super easy, description was very accurate, fit super well and the padding is perfect and looks super comfortable.”
Best Splurge: Dover Saddlery Suffolk Hunter Bridle
“Perfect fit.”
Best Anatomical Bridle
1. ExionPro Designer English Bridle
Double buckles are present on the crown piece and separate neck strap to make customizing this bridle easy. It can easily fit the lines of your horse’s face with the ability to make adjustments as you please for a snug, comfortable fit.
The headpiece on the bridle is broader than usual, making sure that there is no pressure directly on your horse’s neck. The padded surfaces on the bridle ensure that there is no pinching or itching once the bridle is secured on your horse’s face.
Heavy duty cotton threads are used in this bridle’s stitching. This not only gives the bridle a high-quality look and feel, but also makes it extremely durable. The reins on the bridle come with Martingale stoppers for maximum grip and comfort.
Make sure that you know exactly how to put on a bridle on your horse before you purchase one. Strapping it on too tightly can cause restricted movement and discomfort.
Specifications:
- Brand: ExionPro
- Color: Black
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Padded surfaces limit itching or pinching on your horse’s face
- Reins included with bridle feature Martingale stoppers for good grip and comfort
- Double buckles on crown piece and neck strap ensure easy adjustment
Cons
- Can cause discomfort if adjusted too tightly
- Cotton stitching can lead to loose threads over time
2. ExionPro Fancy Raised Anatomic Bridle
The padding on the bridle is constructed of soft calfskin Th for maximum comfort. The entire bridle is made out of elite dressage leather, one of the highest qualities of leather used around the world.
The headpiece of the bridle features a padded design, which allows enough space for the horse’s ear so that movement and circulation are not restricted. The back buckle guard on the bridle is also padded to prevent pinching anywhere on the horse’s face.
Stainless steel buckles are also included on the bridle, giving it extra durability and a secure fit. When it comes to stitching, this model has high quality cotton stitching with 10 to 12 stitches per inch. This close stitching style makes the bridle extremely strong and durable. The ends of this cotton stitching are precisely trimmed to give the piece a finished look (and to prevent loose threads).
The headpiece, browband, and noseband all feature soft padding. Due to the leather construction, liberal padding, and high quality stitching on the bridle, this bridle offers maximum strength with minimal product stretching.
One complaint that verified customers have about this bridle is that the quality of the reins is inferior to the rest of the bridle. It is also reportedly not the easiest bridle to mount the first time if your horse is not used to it.
Specifications:
- Brand: ExionPro
- Color: Black
- Material: Leather
Pros
- High quality cotton stitching with 10-12 stitches per inch ensures maximum durability
- Polished stainless steel buckles for a tight fit
- Padded headpiece, browband, and noseband give horse a comfortable mounting experience
Cons
- Reins are flimsy and not as high quality as the rest of the bridle
- Not very easy to mount the first time
3. Henri De Rivel Pro Anatomical Bridle
For this reason, the leather comes with a padded crown piece that curves precisely around the horse’s ears for total mobility, movement, and rotation. The bridle also comes with noseband padding that serves as a cushion between the metal bridle buckle and the horse’s chin.
A set of rubber reins are also included with this bridle. Rubber offers the rider better grip and flexibility when compared to traditional leather reins. However, a lot of people who are used to leather reins might not like this rubber set.
The bridle comes in “Australian Nut”, which is a dark brown color that is a classic look on your horse’s face and mane.
One complaint that has been reported about this bridle is the quality of the buckles included. While they are made of solid metal, some customers complain that they are not as high-quality as the rest of the bridle.
Specifications:
- Brand: Henri De Rivel
- Color: Australian Nut
- Material: Leather and Rubber
Pros
- Anatomically-shaped leather avoids facial pressure points, allowing horse complete mobility
- Australian Nut color is visually appealing on horse’s mane and face
- Noseband padding acts as a cushion between buckles and horse’s chin, making it a more comfortable experience
Cons
- Reins are made of rubber, not leather, which some riders do not prefer
- Metal buckles are not of the highest quality when compared to the rest of bridle features
4. ExionPro Comfort Lined Crownpiece English Bridle
Soft padding is present on the crown piece as well, making it user-friendly. Padding is also present on the browband and the noseband, ensuring that your horse is comfortable and not pinched anywhere on the facial lines.
The stainless steel buckles on the bridle are smoothly finished, curved, and polished. They Not only look good on your horse, but also provide durability and longevity. There is minimal stretch and maximum strength associated with this bridle’s quality leather and precise stitching.
The back buckle on the bridle is also designed to fit comfortably on your horse’s head. This bridle includes a set of rubber reins with Martingale stoppers for a tight fit in the rider’s hands.
A problem that verified customers have reported with this bridle is that the noseband can grow brittle over time. It is also occasionally prone to cracking.
Specifications:
- Brand: ExionPro
- Color: Havana
- Material: Leather and Rubber
Pros
- Padded back buckle ensures that bridle fits comfortably on the horse’s head and does not cause stretching, pinching, or itching
- Browband and noseband padding create comfortable riding experience for horse
- Made of high quality leather, leading to durability and longevity
Cons
- Noseband is brittle and prone to cracking, as reported by some customers
- Rubber reins might not be the best fit for every horse owner
5. Dover Saddlery Suffolk Hunter Bridle
This bridle is constructed of ultra-soft leather in a modern, slimline design. The noseband on the bridle can be anatomically fitted on the horse’s face with the help of four different adjustable points. This provides a perfect fit without any loose ends or tight squeezes.
The headpiece on the bridle is lined with soft material, ensuring that there is no undue pressure on the horse’s cervical spine. This type of pressure can cause long term damage to your horse’s bone structure and overall health.
Another customization option available with this bridle is that it can be used both as a Hanoverian or English combined version, depending on how you choose to position the halter.
The bridle’s fittings are silver in color. While some users like the silver, others state that the color clashes with the bridle’s natural leather color.
Specifications:
- Brand: Dover
- Color: Brown
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Can be used as both a Hanoverian or English combined version depending on how you position the halter
- Height of the slimline can be adjusted at four different points for a perfect fit
- Headpiece is soft-lined to reduce pressure on horse’s cervical spine
Cons
- Most expensive bridle choice on our list
- Fittings are silver in color, might not be the best fit for everyone
Choosing The Best Anatomical Bridle For Your Horse Is An Important Decision
All of the equipment you put on your horse needs to be designed in such a way that your horse does not feel any discomfort or pain while wearing it. Your choice of bridle is especially important as it sits directly on your horse’s face. Your horse could be extremely uncomfortable, or end up with pain and/or irritation if you do not use the right type of bridle.
Anatomical bridles are specifically designed to take undue pressure away from sensitive areas of your horse’s face to improve circulation and comfort. We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about which of these options is the best anatomical bridle for your own specific riding preferences.
We also have a number of other helpful riding information here on Gallop And Go, like this article on what size saddle do I need. Feel free to check them out to learn more about optimizing your riding experience!