It can be difficult to know where to start when you are trying to prepare for your earliest horse riding adventures. You have to make sure that the animal is healthy and well cared for, that you have all the right accessories and tack and that you have your specific clothing all lined up. Perhaps one of the most confusing areas for newcomers to equestrianism is the fitting of horse bridles. Even seasoned enthusiasts sometimes find it difficult to explain what goes into the actual makeup of a bridle, but it’s important to have a good grasp of how they should be put together and how they work. A poorly installed horse bridle can be particularly uncomfortable for the horse, causing a lot of anxious moments and shortcuts or misunderstandings here can turn out to be a safety hazard for all concerned.

Bridles come in different sizes according to the category of horse selected. For animals less than 14.2 hands tall, pick pony bridles. The cob bridle is designed for small to medium-size horses or large ponies. For average horses between 15 and 16.2 hands horse bridles are your choice, while you might need to select an oversize version if you have a particularly large horse.

There are essentially five different parts to a bridle. Individually, they are the browband, the throat latch, the cheek pieces, the crown piece and the nose band. Put the nose band on so that it is squarely over the bridge of the nose. Likewise the cheek pieces should fit comfortably and not impinge upon the eye. The browband goes on the centre of the forehead. The crown piece will need to be connected to the cheek pieces and adjustments will need to be made to enable you to tighten the bit in the mouth of the horse.

To enable the rider to have a much better grip when riding, you will find that the reins have a rather textured presentation and this definitely helps when the animal gets warmer and starts to sweat a lot.

Riders can configure a bridle according to the type of riding expected. You must be more careful when you are setting everything up for jumping or hunting, but the fitment of dressage bridles can be a lot simpler. Buy the best bridle that you can within the restrictions of your budget and remember how important these items are when it comes to stability, safety and control of the animal.

The fitting of horse bridles can be a difficult exercise for those who are new to equestrianism and you may be best advised to get the help of a seasoned expert to help you fit and configure your bridle for your particular horse. He or she will soon be able to put you on the right track and ensure that your horse is happy with the final outcome. Look for the first few rides to be an indicator of whether you have succeeded with the setup and whether your horse requires you to make a few extra adjustments, or not!