Dressage tack help...?

Question

I was wondering what kind of bridle do I need for dressage? I have looked them up but I don't see a difference in a regular bridle and a dressage bridle. Can someone explain to me the difference. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Dressage bridles are usually black, wide, and flat. Hunter/Jumper bridles are usually brown, leather, raised, thinner, and often fancy-stitched. Eventers often use nylon bridles as they are easy to maintain. Will find some pics . . .



Dressage: http://www.eqtack.com/dressage_tack.html

H/J: http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/index.php?cName=english-tack

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean by a dressage bridle, I don't think there is any such thing. The restrictions on what is allowed is more focused on the bit not the bridle.



Snaffle Bridle:

http://www.newrider.com/Starting_Out/Tack/bridle2.jpg

You can use a snaffle (regular) bridle at all but the highest levels. Most nosebands are also legal; flash, drop etc. but if you use a more unusual noseband check the rules. Most snaffle and pelham bits are allowed, but again check the rules if you use an unusual or harsher bit.



Double Bridle (dressage bridle?):

http://en.chevalpower.com/prodimages/LulworthWeymouth4084_large.jpg

You can use a double bridle at the higher levels and at the highest levels it's the only bridle you can use. This may be what you are calling a dressage bridle. It is used with a set of 2 bits, call the weymouth and bridoon, and used with 2 sets of reins. It doesn't look much different to the snaffle bridle, but has an extra strap to hold the extra bit. You can only use a cavesson or crack noseband if you are using a double bridle.



You can't use any type of bitless bridle.



The colour of the bridle should match the colour of the saddle.



I don't think there is any rule to say you must use a noseband, but most at least have a cavesson.



Unless you ride bitless, you current bridle is probably fine. Choose your tack to suit your horse, rather then the trends in the different disciplines.

Answer 3

No flash nosebands and remember you need a dressage legal bit. There is very little difference but most dressage bridles are flatter than a normal and most often black. Dressage reins are rubber on one side and leather on the other although many dressage riders use plaited reins. A good make is Keiffer

Answer 4

Edge is right that there are no restrictions on dressage bridles other than the bit.



The differences between the two are more based on matching the style of tack and attire of the rider for each discipline rather than functionality.



If you are just starting out and any old snaffle bridle will do

http://www.doversaddlery.com/wylde-hunter-horse-bridle/p/X1-12344/cn/79/



As you progress and begin showing you will want a dressage bridle to match everything else on your horse. As other posters have mentioned they are black, tend to be wider, have a flash nose band, are often padded and do not have any sort of fancy stitching.

The padding can be either white

http://www.doversaddlery.com/suffolk-dressage-horse-bridle--black-white/p/X1-1212/cn/79/

or black. The white is just for decoration (since all dressage tack and clothing are black and white.)

http://www.doversaddlery.com/kieffer-belinda-dressage-horse-bridle/p/X1-12425/cn/79/



The functionality doesn't change until you get into a double bridle (4th level and above.)

http://www.doversaddlery.com/vespucci-double-raised-weymouth-dressage-horse-bridle/p/X1-12416/cn/81/

Answer 5

Bridles especially for dressage are usually black. They often have a crank noseband with extra padding or a flash noseband.



You don't necessarily need a specialty bridle for dressage. You can compete in any English bridle with a legal bit and a cavesson, crank, or flash noseband.