..Type of bridle for me if you can. I just love the way it looks, especially in combination with certain period costumes! I want to know if its design is more than just ornamental though. Does it have a 'proper' name?
That is simply called a "Cross face" bridle. If it has a fancier name than that I've not heard it. I've mostly seen them on draft type horses at renfaire's and really haven't been able to get a close enough inspection to see if all that extra leather is of mechanical use or just ornament.
I went on a riding holiday a couple of years ago (in the UK) and one of the cobs had a bridle like that. I *think* they said the horse was Polish bred and the bridle had come with her from there...there was some kind of Polish connection anyway! Pic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemma_lds/2479241986/
Humm - well.. now I know some of you have seen them, but I am still at a blank as where to buy one to get more details .. price, purpose, fitting - etc.
"Cross face" makes sense, but I am not coming up with much information by using that term in my search.
Hi Julie, Firstly I love your blog, makes me want to get my big standardbred gelding going aside. Secondly, I've seen the bridle either called a "Cross face" as Jeni said or a "X" (sorta like a "Y" they use on race horses) bridle. Serveral different types of these bridles can be found on this page towards the bottom (loads of scrolling but worth it):http://www.usfriesianreferral.com/tack.html
Also this site has very interesting article about medieval bridles (including the X ones) and also an essay on the construction of a medieval side saddle: http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/bridle.html
That is simply called a "Cross face" bridle. If it has a fancier name than that I've not heard it. I've mostly seen them on draft type horses at renfaire's and really haven't been able to get a close enough inspection to see if all that extra leather is of mechanical use or just ornament.
ReplyDeleteI do say they are really pretty!
Sometimes you see them on Argentinian polo ponies too. Maybe somewhere that sells polo tack would have something similar.
ReplyDeleteI went on a riding holiday a couple of years ago (in the UK) and one of the cobs had a bridle like that. I *think* they said the horse was Polish bred and the bridle had come with her from there...there was some kind of Polish connection anyway!
ReplyDeletePic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemma_lds/2479241986/
Humm - well.. now I know some of you have seen them, but I am still at a blank as where to buy one to get more details .. price, purpose, fitting - etc.
ReplyDelete"Cross face" makes sense, but I am not coming up with much information by using that term in my search.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteFirstly I love your blog, makes me want to get my big standardbred gelding going aside.
Secondly, I've seen the bridle either called a "Cross face" as Jeni said or a "X" (sorta like a "Y" they use on race horses) bridle. Serveral different types of these bridles can be found on this page towards the bottom (loads of scrolling but worth it):http://www.usfriesianreferral.com/tack.html
Also this site has very interesting article about medieval bridles (including the X ones) and also an essay on the construction of a medieval side saddle:
http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/bridle.html
http://ilaria.veltri.tripod.com/sidesaddle.html
Hope this help,
SW