IR Bridles are padded using a wonderfully soft and pressure relieving specialist foam which remains soft even when stitched. This foam is then covered in a soft thin leather to allow it to remain as soft as possible for the horse. This leather does not harden with time but remains as soft as the day it was made.
Issi is available to come out and measure your horse within a 30 mile radius of the workshop for £30 plus mileage charged at 45 pence per mile with the first 10 miles free of charge. Repeat visits are charged at mileage only.
Alternatively if you are further away a sample bridle can be posted to you. Adjust this bridle on the horse and take photos of both sides of the head then post the bridle back and the measurements can be taken from there.
IR Bridles unfortunately cannot accommodate visits to the workshop.
As each IR Bridle is made completely to the customer’s specifications there are many style options, here are just a few.
Please contact us for more information.
Leather is a natural product which as a result means each hide is unique and will change as it is used and conditioned. Leather loses a percentage of its oils every day of its life whether it is used or not. This must be replaced to ensure longevity and continued strength. These oils need to be replaced if the leather is to continue to be safe.
If soaked in water then dried out quickly using heat the leather will crack. Please remember the item will wear through use so it is very important to check every aspect during routine cleaning, especially billets and the buckle tongue areas which are the areas under the most strain.
When new, first treat with leather balm/ conditioner for example Albion Leather Balm or Sedgwicks Leather Care before first use. Allow this to soak in overnight then continue treating at least once a month for the duration of the bridle’s life.
Wipe the bridle over after every use, completely taking it apart once a week. Ensure around the hook studs and buckles are cleaned thoroughly as this is where the most wear and tear occurs. Take extra care around fancy browbands especially the diamonte style as it is possible to catch the diamonte mounts with a sponge and dislodge the stones.
Avoid using any harsh products, e.g. products containing alcohol, on the leather as this can remove the dyes.
The quickest way to tell if a bridle has been handmade is to look at the stitching. a handmade bridle will have been completely hand stitched whereas a manufactured bridle will have mainly machine stitching. Machine stitching loops the thread at every stitch which means if one stitch wears then the rest will soon follow. There may also be unsightly marks on the leather from the machine foot and plate as it draws the leather through.
In hand stitching, the thread is actually passed through the leather each time which means the thread is locked at every stitch, if one stitch wears then the others will stay put.
The only part of an IR Bridle which is machine stitched are the rubber on the reins. This allows the rubber to be easily replaced when necessary.
Quite simply, handmade does last longer! From the stitching to the fittings to the leather itself, a handmade bridle can be relied upon year after year if looked after correctly.
Every component on a handmade bridle is selected for each individual bridle from the beginning allowing greater customisability. The different parts of the leather is selected for the different uses, e.g. the best part of the leather is used specifically for the reins, cheekpieces and headpiece. All fittings are inspected before use for flaws and rejected if any are found.