Anatomical Bridles

Anatomical bridles in English Sedgwick leather, shaped to relieve pressure around the poll, ears and TMJ. Choose a complete bridle, build your own, or replace a single part.

Complete Bridles Anatomical bridles, ready to ride, in Pony to Extra Full. Showing 10 bridles below ↓

Build Your Own Bridle Choose the headpiece, noseband, browband and cheekpieces to suit your horse. Start building →

Bridle Parts Headpieces, nosebands, browbands, cheekpieces and spares. Shop bridle parts →

Claim your free virtual bridle fitting* · *Free with every bridle order Find out more ↓

10 bridles

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Choosing a noseband

Flash bridles suit most horses. The flash strap helps keep the bit steady and is fully removable on every flash we make, including the Comfort Flash and our dressage crank noseband. Each is also available with a traditional sewn-in fixed flash.

Grackle bridles help stop a horse crossing its jaw, spreading pressure across the nose. Choose the figure 8, sheepskin or Mexican grackle.

Dressage bridles use our anatomical crank noseband, shaped to avoid the cheekbones, with a flash that attaches without a visible tab. Also available in patent leather.

Cavesson bridles are a good place to start if your horse doesn’t need a flash, with a simple, well-padded noseband for everyday riding.

Hunter bridles give a classic, uncluttered look for showing and hunting.

Why anatomical?

Every Henry James bridle has a cut-back, padded headpiece that relieves pressure behind the ears and over the poll. The throatlash is built into the headpiece to reduce bulk in the TMJ area, and buckles lie flat against the face.

Each bridle is made from English Sedgwick leather with stainless steel fittings, and every part can be bought separately, so you can change a noseband or headpiece as your horse’s needs change.

Bridle questions

What sizes do your bridles come in?

Pony, Cob, Full and Extra Full. The Arc Classic is our only headpiece made in Pony, so every pony bridle uses it. It is also available in Cob to Extra Full.

How should I measure my horse for a bridle?

Use our bridle fitting tape measure, which comes with step-by-step instructions, or follow our measuring guide. Then check your measurements against the size guide on each bridle.

How should my bridle fit?

The headpiece should sit behind the ears without pinching, and the browband should be long enough not to pull the headpiece into the ears. The noseband should sit below the cheekbone with room for two fingers underneath, and the cheekpieces should hold the bit comfortably in the mouth, usually with one or two small wrinkles at the corners.

What if my horse is between sizes?

Check your measurements against the size guide on each bridle, or measure with our bridle fitting tape. If you are still unsure, call or email us and we will help you choose.

Can I buy parts separately?

Yes. Every headpiece, noseband, browband and cheekpiece is sold on its own in Bridle Parts, along with spare straps and keepers.

How should I care for my bridle?

Wipe off sweat and dirt after riding, clean the leather regularly and condition it with our Bridlework Balm to keep it supple. Our leather care guide explains the full routine.

Are there bridle fitters who can fit my bridle for me?

Yes. Use our fitter finder to find a fitter working near you. Our team also offers a free virtual bridle fitting with every bridle order: book your bridle fitting.

Who stocks your bridles?

You can buy our full range online here, and our bridles are also sold through selected retailers. Contact us to find your nearest stockist.