Horseware Collections
Micklem Leatherwork
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Horseware Micklem Bridles & Tack
Horseware Micklem tack is anatomically shaped leatherwork built around the bones and nerves of a horse's head, so pressure sits on stronger structures instead of sensitive ones. Seven Micklem pieces are in stock right now: five bridles (bitless, multi, competition, deluxe competition and diamante competition), a breastplate with martingale, and a short comfort girth. Prices start at £129.95, and sizes run from pony through to X-Full depending on the item.
In a hurry?
- Want a bit-free option? Horseware Micklem Bitless Bridle, £129.95 — in stock in pony, cob, super cob, full and X-Full.
- Want one bridle that does several jobs? Horseware Micklem Multi Bridle, £173.95 — bitted or bitless configurations.
- Competing and want a smart finish? Horseware Micklem Competition Bridle, £155.95, or the Deluxe Competition Bridle at £177.95.
- Want sparkle for the arena? Horseware Micklem Diamante Competition Bridle, £190.95 — includes X-Full.
- Not a bridle you're after? Horseware Micklem Breastplate W/Martingale, £129.95, and the Horseware Micklem Short Comfort Girth, £129.95 (60cm currently in stock).
Unsure on sizing? Get in touch and our team will help.
What makes Micklem leatherwork different from a normal bridle?
A traditional bridle sits where it has always sat: the noseband crosses the thin, unprotected end of the nasal bone, and the cheekpieces run close to the facial nerve and the molar teeth. Micklem leatherwork is cut and angled to move those straps away from those areas and spread the load across the stronger parts of the skull instead.
In practice that means a shaped noseband that finishes higher and wider, cheekpieces that clear the sensitive area at the side of the face, and a headpiece designed to sit comfortably behind the ears rather than pressing on the poll. Horses that fuss, tilt their heads or resent bridling are often the ones owners try a Micklem on first.
Is it worth the price of a standard bridle?
The Micklem range sits in the premium bracket — the entry point in this collection is £129.95 and the most expensive piece is £190.95. What you are paying for is the shaping, the quality of the leather and the number of adjustment points, which is what allows the same bridle to be fitted properly to very differently shaped heads. If comfort issues are your reason for looking, that adjustability is the part that earns its keep.
Which Horseware Micklem should you choose?
| Product | Best for | Sizes in stock | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseware Micklem Bitless Bridle | Riding without a bit — hacking, schooling, horses with mouth issues | Pony, cob, super cob, full, X-Full (black) | £129.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Multi Bridle | One bridle used bitted or bitless, plus lungeing and long-reining | Pony, cob, super cob, full, X-Full | £173.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Competition Bridle | Affiliated and unaffiliated competition in a conventional-looking bridle | Pony, cob, super cob, X-Full | £155.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Deluxe Competition Bridle | A more refined competition finish | Pony, cob, super cob, X-Full | £177.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Diamante Competition Bridle | Dressage and showing where a sparkle browband is wanted | Pony, cob, super cob, X-Full (black) | £190.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Breastplate W/Martingale | Jumping and cross-country where the saddle needs holding in place | Pony, cob, X-Full (black or brown) | £129.95 |
| Horseware Micklem Short Comfort Girth | Long-billet saddles, especially dressage | 60cm (black or brown) | £129.95 |
Stock moves quickly on this range — sizes and colours listed here were correct when this page was last reviewed.
Bitless, multi or competition — how do you decide?
Work backwards from where you ride. If you never use a bit, the Bitless Bridle at £129.95 is the simplest and cheapest way in. If you want to switch between bitted and bitless as your horse's training changes, the Multi Bridle at £173.95 saves you buying two bridles. If you compete under rules that expect a conventional bridle, the Competition Bridle (£155.95), Deluxe Competition Bridle (£177.95) or Diamante Competition Bridle (£190.95) give you the same shaping in a competition-appropriate look. Always check your discipline's current rulebook before entering, as bitless allowances vary between sports.
How should Micklem tack fit?
Getting the bridle right
The shaped noseband should sit clear of the soft tissue at the end of the nasal bone, with room for the horse to chew and breathe normally. The cheekpieces should run down the flat of the face rather than pressing into the hollow, and the headpiece should sit clear of the base of the ears. Because there are more adjustment points than on a conventional bridle, it is worth setting it up slowly the first time and checking again after a short schooling session.
Getting the girth right
The Short Comfort Girth is a dressage-length girth for saddles with long billets. Measure your existing short girth from buckle to buckle to find your size — we currently have 60cm in stock in black and brown at £129.95. A girth that is too short leaves the buckles sitting too low; too long and they press up under the saddle flap.
Looking after the leather
Wipe the leather down after each ride to remove sweat, and condition it regularly so it stays supple. Pay particular attention to the shaped sections and the buckle holes, which take the most flex. Well-kept Micklem leather should last many seasons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Horseware Micklem item you stock?
Three items share the lowest price in this collection at £129.95: the Horseware Micklem Bitless Bridle, the Horseware Micklem Breastplate W/Martingale and the Horseware Micklem Short Comfort Girth. The dearest piece is the Horseware Micklem Diamante Competition Bridle at £190.95.
Can I compete in a Micklem bridle?
The competition versions — the Horseware Micklem Competition Bridle (£155.95), Deluxe Competition Bridle (£177.95) and Diamante Competition Bridle (£190.95) — are made for the ring and look like a conventional bridle. Rules differ between disciplines and change from time to time, especially around bitless and browband decoration, so check your governing body's current rulebook before you enter.
Which size should I order — pony, cob, super cob, full or X-Full?
Go by your horse's head measurements rather than height alone, as head shape varies a lot within a size. Super cob is a useful in-between option for horses with a cob-length head but a wider jaw. Not every size is available in every model at any given moment, so check current availability before ordering — and if you are between sizes, get in touch and our team will help.
Will a Micklem bridle fix my horse's head tossing or resistance?
Anatomical shaping is designed to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, and many riders find that helps a horse settle. It is not a diagnosis or a cure. Head tossing, resistance and reluctance to be bridled can also come from teeth, ulcers, back pain, saddle fit or an ill-fitting bit, so speak to your vet, dentist or saddle fitter first and treat the tack as one part of the picture.
What is the difference between the Multi Bridle and the Bitless Bridle?
The Horseware Micklem Bitless Bridle (£129.95) is built for riding without a bit. The Horseware Micklem Multi Bridle (£173.95) is the more versatile option, set up so it can be used bitted or bitless and adapted for work such as lungeing and long-reining. If you only ever ride bitless, the Bitless Bridle is the more economical choice.
Do you have a girth to match, and which length?
Yes — the Horseware Micklem Short Comfort Girth is £129.95 and is a short, long-billet girth suited to dressage and mono-flap saddles. We currently have the 60cm in stock in black and brown. Measure buckle to buckle on your existing short girth to confirm the length before ordering.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.