ICELANDIC BRIDLE No. 25 | BLACK
A unique bridle for Icelandic horses that provides a symmetrical distribution of force from the bit up to the headpiece. The lightweight and fixed construction offers optimal conditions for straightness, maintained balance, and even contact in all gaits.
The noseband applies soft pressure across the bridge of the nose when rein contact is taken. It features a contoured shape and an integrated inner cushion to ensure it remains completely still without interfering with the bit or restricting the airways.
COMBINATION BRIDLE
FOR EVEN CONTACT & GREATER STABILITY IN THE FRAME
Combination Bridle No. 25 is developed for Icelandic horses requiring a stable, precise, and well-balanced headstall when working with contact. The bridle is engineered to sit steadily and consistently throughout the entire ride, even in gaits where balance, rhythm, and precision are pushed to their limit.
The sizing and proportions are specifically tailored to the anatomy of the Icelandic horse, featuring a compact head shape and limited space in the poll area.
The headpiece is specially designed in dimensions, function, and shape to provide stability without adding unnecessary bulk. It allows freedom for the crest of the neck and the area around the atlas (C1), while TMJ pads lift the headpiece away from the sensitive temporomandibular joint.
The result is a headpiece that remains still, distributes pressure symmetrically, and does not exacerbate crookedness.
The noseband contours around the horse’s mouth without locking the bit or restricting the airways. The angled construction keeps the eye area clear of buckles, reducing both visual and physical distraction and contributing to a cleaner, more functional look for performance riding.
The browband features an exact, stable placement that will neither slide down nor be pushed up during work.
You select your preferred browband upon ordering and can easily swap between different models. Additional browbands are sold separately.
BALANCED HEADPIECE FOR
EVEN CONTACT & PRECISE AID
When the Icelandic horse takes contact on the bit, the force is transmitted up through the cheekpieces and on to the headpiece. In sports and competition work, where contact, tempo, and precision are pushed to their limit, the positioning of the headpiece becomes decisive. If the headpiece is not correctly placed or can shift laterally, an uneven load occurs, with one side taking more pull than the other.
This is common when the headpiece is overly padded, lacks structure, or when a headpiece is missing altogether and loose straps and buckles lie directly against the poll or on one side of the horse's head. The result is either a constant crooked load on the poll or severe focal pressure centered over the atlas (C1)—something that quickly affects the Icelandic horse's balance and ability to work through its body.
A still, lightweight, and balanced headpiece instead creates the conditions for the force from the bit to be directed symmetrically. The action of the bit is then felt more equally on both the right and left sides, while the headstall stays securely where it belongs. For the Icelandic horse, this translates to better conditions for straightness, consistent contact, and maintained balance, even in gaits requiring high coordination, such as tölt.
ASK YOURSELF
Why buckles placed directly over the poll would be advantageous for a performance horse expected to perform at a high level. After all, it's like running a marathon in stilettos... Uncomfortable, disadvantageous, and completely impossible to balance.
Feather Light by Design
LIGHT AS A FEATHER
For Icelandic horses in sport, where balance, rhythm, and precise aids are crucial, the weight and construction of the headstall become directly influential factors.
Our bridles are feather-light to reduce the total load on the poll by combining molded details with lightweight foam. The construction provides stability without adding unnecessary mass. The result is a headstall that remains still, follows the horse’s movements, and avoids creating a constant downward pull on the poll.
Unlike bridles that place buckles directly over the atlas (C1), a lightweight and balanced headpiece distributes pressure over a larger surface area. Buckles and metal components concentrated over C1 create focal pressure points and add dead weight precisely where the horse is biomechanically most sensitive.
Minimizing weight and eliminating focal pressure points on the poll is essential to avoid:
- increased muscle tension
- reduced ability to maintain balance
- impaired precision in contact
When weight is minimized and stability is instead achieved through clever design, the horse is given optimal conditions to work with maintained balance, even contact, and precise aid.
It is not about eliminating the headpiece, but about making it correctly engineered, lightweight, and stable. That is where true function arises.
