Utzon Equestrian

Anatomically shaped, handmade dressage bridles and showjumping bridles.

Bridle FAQ's

Anatomical Dressage Bridle

Anatomically shaped bridles are associated with more uniform pressure and increased carpal and tarsal flexion compared with a usual bridle. A handmade anatomical dressage bridle takes at least 50 hours to complete. Shop here!

Benefits of a Show Jumping Bridle

Our bridles are anatomically designed to avoid peak pressure locations under the noseband, near the cheekbones and headpiece. Makes your horse happier to work. Shop here!

How do you know if your horse might have a bridle related problem?

  • Your horse is heavier in the one rein than the other rein.
  • Your horse stops at fences.
  • Your horses neck is sore on palpation.
  • Your horse does not want to push from behind.

Our bridles are anatomically designed to avoid peak pressure locations under the noseband, near the cheekbones and headpiece.

Anatomically shaped bridles are associated with more uniform pressure and increased carpal and tarsal flexion compared with a usual bridle (Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 35 (2015) 947–955)

Utzon poll relief bridle

My horse feels heavier in one rein than the other

The poll muscles flex the horse’s head downward toward his chest or they incline the head to the right or to the left. The dynamics of a horse’s motion occur on a diagonal. That means a tightness in the right poll side can reflect a problem in the left rein.

The neck area is small compared to the other muscles in the body but the neck area is key to the horse’s freedom and ease of movement.

Does your horse reacts strongly when you try to touch the poll area (the neck) ?

An indicator of a problem is that your horse reacts strongly when you try to palpate the neck area. The neck area is very sensitive when it is tight. Your horse may raise his head to try to get his neck out of reach or the horse may step away from you. The more severe the tightness, the more dramatic his reaction is likely to be when you try to touch the area.

Does your horse stop at fences?

The horse needs to be able to extend his head and neck to balance himself as his jumping arc descends. When the muscles around the neck are very tight, the neck muscles are unable to allow the head and neck to extend which makes the horse feel out of balance. Therefore, the horse stops at the fence.

utzon bridles are well fitted

Does your horse feel reluctant to step through from behind?

Tightness in the neck area and facial nerves compromise a horse’s use of the back or may reflect a shortened step behind. A horse’s motion originates in its hind end and flows through his body and neck. When a neck is very tight the horse can’t step up under himself easily and freely.

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