I`m also not a fan of a traditional lightning bolt, so I landed some of my horse`s dressage bridle as Micklems. I find them difficult to adapt, especially for horses on the “edge” of a size (for example, the horse or the oversized may go). They don`t have much adjustability. It`s also nice to have someone to help with the adjustment that is used to them. I`m quite experienced in customization and it took me a little while to get used to it. Anatomical flanges were specially developed for the anatomy of horses. This means that the anatomical flanges have been designed, cut and shaped into a specific shape to reduce the pressure on the face and promote the well-being, happiness, movement and ultimately the performance of the horse. There are 16 bridle styles to choose from when you look at Schockemoehle`s anatomical collection. 3 of them are double-flange devices. However, some styles seem to be more anatomical than others.
They all seem to have anatomically shaped crown pieces, but some still have the traditional cheek pieces. I think it depends on the look you`re aiming for and the needs of your horse. Thus. What should I drive after trying (and keeping) all these flanges? Frankenbridles, mainly. The Shires Velociti dressage flange with flash benefits from luxurious padding on the crank nose strap to distribute the pressure. Flattering to the face, it has a wide raised nasal band with a flash. Designed to relieve pressure, the Velociti features a wide padded crown with a post hole and a cut ear profile. Soft leather combined with generous shockproof padding on the headboard provides extra comfort. The headband and nose have an elegant profile due to their thin thinness, and the characteristic tilted eyelashes and Velociti reins for a flexible and safe grip complete this ergonomic dressing flange. I also thought that anatomical bridles were a bit fashionable, but I had a young horse that was super picky. I decided to try him in a Micklem, and even though he was a little more difficult the first few laps, I gave him two weeks and he was definitely better. I tried to go back to a normal bridle because I don`t like the look of a Micklem, and he started to get upset again, so we went back.
He is always very happy in it. Produced by Horseware, Rambo Micklem was one of the first anatomical bridles to enter the limelight. The Micklem range, which won the Innovation Awards at BETA in 2008, remains one of our most popular anatomical bridles to date, with many riders reporting fantastic positive changes since its use. PS of Sweden offers a variety of anatomical bridles for show jumping and dressage. The high jump (pictured below) is one of their jump bridles. It has all the common features of a power flange. The main difference is the nasal band. This nasal band has a deep contour along the cheekbones to avoid strong pressure on the sensitive facial nerves.
It also has a nasal band and a flash that is further away to avoid unnecessary pressure on the molars of the upper jaw. The bow (the pad that replaces the actual nose band) is adjustable to give each horse a unique and perfect fit. PS offers a similar model called Jump Off. While high jump and high jump can be used for dressage, a similar model is available specifically for dressage called Nirak. PS also offers several other options for show jumping and double and bridle dressage. The Stubbens are known in the equestrian world for their exceptional quality leather work, and their anatomical flanges combine everything you love about this traditional brand with a modern design. An anatomical flange is designed to relieve pressure and discomfort. This, in turn, results in a happier horse that can move more freely, which translates into improved performance. Many horses respond very well to an anatomical bridle.
However, the sensitive can certainly take care of it and do it. My horse is usually sensitive to the skin and it used to be a bit difficult in the bridle (throwing from the head or shaking, on contact or off contact) and was difficult to remember. I thought it was the song and the training (she was young and green), so I worked on it and put treats on the song, etc. It really didn`t change anything. I tried a Micklem bridle one day and it was a little less difficult. So I tried again the next day and it was easier to remember. On day 3, the bridle problem disappeared. She was still a little picky with her head as she rolled, and I noticed that her fairly large ears seemed to push the headgear against the base and she still wanted to rub that area when the bridle came off. I tried the PS of Sweden bridle with the backs cut around her ears and you could almost hear her sighing with relief – much less difficult when she was mounted and less rubbing when she was finished. Sweden`s PS flange has a wider head than the traditional bridle to put even pressure on the investigation. It also has a deep cut for the ears, allowing them to move freely without pinching or disturbing.
A unique feature of the PS flange is the cradle bit in the cheeks. It is a small piece of elastic that keeps the teeth hanging to give it a softer feeling in the horse`s mouth. Karin`s ideas didn`t stop there, she went further and created a new headband. You enter and exit now for an easy change. No need to disassemble the flange to change your bling! Micklem bridles can be difficult to adapt and I think they just are not suitable for some horses. In addition, not all horses need the lower nasal band. I was very happy to find a PS of Sweden bridle with the cut on the ears, the cheek in the shape of a piece and no flash nose strip (just a standard Cavesson) – exactly what my horse needed. For example, an anatomical flange may have a wide, padded and cut headgear – these are specially designed to give your horse a full range of movements and reduce pressure around the ears. Others are lowered or streamlined cheek pieces that allow your horse its full field of vision and also sit away from the sensitive facial nerve. Stubben Freedom: Pros: Really well thought out design. The best leather I`ve seen on ergonomic flanges.