THE OCTA CONCEPT
STATE-OF-THE-ART BRIDLES
THE SECRET BEHIND OUR OCTA CONCEPT
Our entire OCTA concept is built around creating the world’s by far best bridle. For us, that definition comes down to several key factors:
THE BRIDLE MUST STAY IN PLACE
The foundation for top performance is that the bridle or double bridle remains completely still. It may sound simple, but in reality it’s surprisingly rare. We have also “broken” our nosebands and worked with soft padding on the inside so that they stay perfectly in place.
MINIMIZED WEIGHT
The lighter, the better — because you don’t want unnecessary weight on the horse.
CLOSE TO THE HORSE
The bridle should lie close to the horse, without excessive padding between the horse and the top leather. Too much padding makes it unstable, which brings you back to the problem of the bridle moving around. In that case, the headpiece works against the horse rather than with it.
CLOSE | STILL | LIGHT
HOW CAN A HEADPIECE BE SO IMPORTANT?
A common misconception is that just because a bridle or double bridle has a lot of padding in the headpiece, it must automatically be well-suited for the horse. We don’t agree. In our view, a bridle should lie close to the horse – not sit heavily on top of its neck. In fact, an overly padded crownpiece has the opposite effect, causing the bridle to move around even more during work. A bridle that doesn’t stay still interferes with the horse at every step.
You can compare an over-padded headpiece to a wagon loaded with mattresses (our analogy for padding) stacked on top of each other. What happens when the wagon starts rolling and turning? At the very top, the mattresses sway dramatically, and you have to be careful in every curve to prevent them from falling off. If, on the other hand, you only have a single mattress that fits the wagon’s size, it will remain steady in place, without risk of sliding or falling.
In other words: avoid building a headpiece with too much height, because the horse will constantly have to “compensate” for the swaying.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE
THE TYPE OF BUCKLES IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL
Having the buckles placed at the headpiece is an elegant detail that keeps the focus on your horse’s expression. However, it’s important to consider both the type of buckles you use and where they are placed.
If you use a traditional buckle (similar to those commonly found on belts) to adjust the height of the noseband or bit, the major drawback is that all pressure becomes concentrated directly beneath the buckle. Even worse, if the buckle isn’t anchored properly and you frequently have to readjust it at the headpiece because it slips down on one side, the problem is maximized.
When a noseband or cheekpiece is adjusted this way, the horse is constantly subjected to shifting pressure points. This results in uneven pressure distribution across the crown, and even more problematic is that the pressure moves every time the horse does.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE
TMJ CUSHION AND A BROWBAND THAT DOESN’T PRESS AGAINST THE HORSE
All of our headpieces feature padding with an open design along the ears. A bridle must make contact with the ears – otherwise, it will slip off. The ears act as a natural “stop” that prevents the bridle from sliding down.
If you want a headpiece that doesn’t touch the ears at all, it has to be fixed in place with a tightly fastened throatlash or cheekpiece, which in turn raises the bit too high in the horse’s mouth. Think of it like this: when you fasten a bit too high, you create a counterforce – the tighter the bit is pulled up, the more pressure is pushed down through the headpiece, which can feel just as uncomfortable as a vise.
A headpiece lying against the ears is therefore not automatically a flaw. What matters is how it rests there. If the cut-out around the ears is too large, it may not fully accommodate the ear, causing the lower part of the headpiece to press into the ear base.
All our headpieces include a perfectly placed cushion that protects the sensitive joint known as the TMJ. Simply put, this is the joint where the lower jaw connects to the upper jaw, located just above the eye.
LET THE HORSE DECIDE THE DIFFERENCE
THE NOSEBAND THAT BRINGS CHANGE
It’s not very often that riders stop to reflect on what the horse’s jaw actually looks like beneath the skin. Some are even surprised when they first realize where the horse’s teeth are positioned and how far back the jaw extends. The upper jaw sits slightly wider than the lower jaw. The oral cavity is quite narrow, and on top of that the horse has a relatively large tongue, while the palate – the roof of the mouth – is fairly low, which further limits the available space.
Our unique noseband is designed to leave the cheeks completely free, eliminating the risk of pinching injuries. In addition, the noseband features a “broken” design and a soft cushion at the front of the nasal bridge, ensuring it remains perfectly steady throughout the ride – something that is absolutely crucial. The rear section of the noseband is also angled downward to prevent it from tipping forward on the nose.
When a noseband or cheekpiece is adjusted in the traditional way, the horse is constantly subjected to shifting pressure points. This results in uneven pressure across the poll, and even worse, the pressure moves every time the horse does.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TMJ INFLAMMATION
Problems can stem from many different causes, but certain signs have shown a clear connection to TMJ issues.
- Head shaking
- Sensitivity around the ears and difficulty being bridled
- Challenges in opening the mouth or yawning fully
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Appear shy or withdrawn
- Develop jaw misalignment with uneven bit contact
- Excessive jaw or tongue activity
- Stiffness in the neck and soreness along the back
- Crib-biting
- Restricted movement of the ears or eyes
- A more serious indication is head tilting, which can point to underlying neurological problems.
