Review: Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle
Happy Holidays!!! 🎄🎅
Today the discussion is going to feature one of The Pony's favorite pieces of equipment: The Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle
The Pony has very good reasons to love her chosen bridle style...
When The Pony was first under saddle 4 years ago, we used a conventional bridle for nearly a year. I rode 3 to 4 times a week as my grad student schedule allowed, and The Pony was slowly learning about leg after having been a driving pony many years ago (this whole leg acceptance thing is still an ongoing process).
From our first rides together she more or less accepted the bit. She's apparently always been somewhat fussy in her mouth--very similar to a green horse. Her breeder & owner told me that was usual for The Pony from her experience driving her.
We were having fun, and I was riding regularly after almost a decade of sporadic riding. The Pony seemed to enjoy having a job.
All of a sudden, The Pony decided something was absolute agony while being ridden.
First my suspicion was me: maybe my hands, elbows, seat, leg, etc. were restricting. I had The Pony's owner, a former upper level eventer, watch me ride. She could not see anything I was doing to be at fault for the level of discomfort and resistance The Pony was experiencing.
I longed her without a rider to remove that aspect from the equation entirely. Same result. Pony nose in air, back hollow.
I tried different equipment. Eggbutts, loose rings, D-rings, and Myler bits. Thick, thin, single-jointed, double-jointed bits. Bit-less options. Every saddle and saddle pad combination I could get my hands on I tried as well if it fit The Pony.
No change. The Pony's nose went straight into the air and her back became hollow when worked no matter what I tried.
This lovely and sensitive, even if not-so-easy, pony I thought would be a fun project was clearly telling me being ridden really sucked.
Not wanting to give up on my partnership with The Pony without exhausting every option, where else to turn to but The Interwebs?!
The researcher in me went on a field day. I read about horse facial anatomy and stumbled upon several online forums discussing the Rambo Micklem Bridle. Since I'd been out of the tack loop for a long time, I'd never heard of this seemingly space-aged device.
Many people online in The States and Europe were praising how the Micklem Bridle made their horses comfortable and accepting of the bridle, including Horse and Hound. The Great William Micklem designed the bridle to avoid touching and rubbing the sensitive facial nerves.
What was there to lose, other than The Pony's discomfort? I ordered a black Micklem Competition Bridle. It gave me additional peace of mind knowing that it is show legal in dressage and eventing competitions since my goal at the time was to eventually compete The Pony in dressage and/or eventing.
I was skeptical. Could a differently designed bridle really encourage more acceptance of the bit?
During our first ride with the Micklem Bridle what seemed like a miracle occurred. The Pony immediately gave her approval. Back came up, hind end engaged, and she accepted the bridle willingly for the stage of training she was at presently. I was amazed and asked for photographic evidence to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
Today the discussion is going to feature one of The Pony's favorite pieces of equipment: The Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle
Taking a Break on a Winter Conditioning Ride with her Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle
The Pony has very good reasons to love her chosen bridle style...
When The Pony was first under saddle 4 years ago, we used a conventional bridle for nearly a year. I rode 3 to 4 times a week as my grad student schedule allowed, and The Pony was slowly learning about leg after having been a driving pony many years ago (this whole leg acceptance thing is still an ongoing process).
From our first rides together she more or less accepted the bit. She's apparently always been somewhat fussy in her mouth--very similar to a green horse. Her breeder & owner told me that was usual for The Pony from her experience driving her.
We were having fun, and I was riding regularly after almost a decade of sporadic riding. The Pony seemed to enjoy having a job.
All of a sudden, The Pony decided something was absolute agony while being ridden.
First my suspicion was me: maybe my hands, elbows, seat, leg, etc. were restricting. I had The Pony's owner, a former upper level eventer, watch me ride. She could not see anything I was doing to be at fault for the level of discomfort and resistance The Pony was experiencing.
I longed her without a rider to remove that aspect from the equation entirely. Same result. Pony nose in air, back hollow.
I tried different equipment. Eggbutts, loose rings, D-rings, and Myler bits. Thick, thin, single-jointed, double-jointed bits. Bit-less options. Every saddle and saddle pad combination I could get my hands on I tried as well if it fit The Pony.
No change. The Pony's nose went straight into the air and her back became hollow when worked no matter what I tried.
This lovely and sensitive, even if not-so-easy, pony I thought would be a fun project was clearly telling me being ridden really sucked.
Not wanting to give up on my partnership with The Pony without exhausting every option, where else to turn to but The Interwebs?!
The researcher in me went on a field day. I read about horse facial anatomy and stumbled upon several online forums discussing the Rambo Micklem Bridle. Since I'd been out of the tack loop for a long time, I'd never heard of this seemingly space-aged device.
Many people online in The States and Europe were praising how the Micklem Bridle made their horses comfortable and accepting of the bridle, including Horse and Hound. The Great William Micklem designed the bridle to avoid touching and rubbing the sensitive facial nerves.
What was there to lose, other than The Pony's discomfort? I ordered a black Micklem Competition Bridle. It gave me additional peace of mind knowing that it is show legal in dressage and eventing competitions since my goal at the time was to eventually compete The Pony in dressage and/or eventing.
I was skeptical. Could a differently designed bridle really encourage more acceptance of the bit?
During our first ride with the Micklem Bridle what seemed like a miracle occurred. The Pony immediately gave her approval. Back came up, hind end engaged, and she accepted the bridle willingly for the stage of training she was at presently. I was amazed and asked for photographic evidence to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
The Pony's Second Ride with The Micklem Bridle.
Later on, once we started competing in eventing, I was gifted a havana Micklem Competition Bridle to match most jumping saddles.
I will never put a conventional bridle on The Pony's face again after putting a Micklem on her 3 years ago. For her, the Micklem makes her comfortable and able to do a job she clearly loves. I have not one photo of The Pony competing without a Micklem bridle since it is inhumane to ride my little partner without one.
It is still unclear to me why after almost a year of using a conventional bridle with no obvious signs of discomfort The Pony decided to abruptly tell us she was done with it. I'm glad we live in a time with so many tack and equipment options out there.
I take this as a cautionary tale of why I should tirelessly listen to The Pony (or any other horse I ride) for any sign of discomfort and agitation while I groom, tack up, and ride. Just because [INSERT ANY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT] works now doesn't mean it will work just as well down the line.
The Pony Competing with Her Havana Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle at
Twin Rivers Ranch Spring Horse Trials Last April
The Pony's black Micklem Competition Bridle I bought from Dover Saddlery. However, Micklem Bridles are available at most tack stores online I've seen, including Riding Warehouse and SmartPak Equine. They come in different colors and even different brow bands.
Be careful to not buy a Rambo Micklem Professional Multibridle or Multibridle if you intent to compete; this style is not legal for dressage or eventing competitions. Just make sure the description for the Rambo Micklem Bridle you want to buy for competition states "Competition" and does not have a ring in the center of the nose band.
**No matter your discipline, make sure to check relevant rule books to see if the Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle is permissible in your chosen competition(s).** Rules in equestrian governing bodies are always changing and it's better to be safe than sorry.
The Micklem Competition Bridle also comes with bit clips to steady the movement of the bit if used, so also check if the use of these clips is allowed by any relevant governing competition bodies.
The Micklem Competition Bridle also comes with bit clips to steady the movement of the bit if used, so also check if the use of these clips is allowed by any relevant governing competition bodies.
The Rambo Micklem Competition Bridle is fitted differently than conventional bridles. Please see The Cheshire Horse's informative post on fitting this bridle correctly to avoid discomfort and awkward nose band placements.
Until next time, happy riding! 🐴
The Pony in her Havana Micklem Competition Bridle at a Clinic Last Week with Soehnke Theymann
at our Trainer's, Trinity Eventing
**Please Note: I have not been paid to review any of the products I post. I am an adult eventer with a full-time job that is decidedly non-horsey.**
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