John Whitaker
Bridles & Reins
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John Whitaker Bridles & Reins
Looking for a John Whitaker bridle or set of reins? This collection brings together 31 pieces of Whitaker leatherwork and training tack – snaffle and flash bridles, rubber and webbed reins, martingales, breastplates and browbands – in pony, cob and full sizes (X-Full on selected lines), mostly in black or havana brown. The everyday Ready to Ride snaffle bridle is £59.71, riding reins start from £19.38, and the simple Whitaker Training Rein is just £12.96.
In a hurry? Quick picks:
- Everyday bridle: John Whitaker Ready to Ride Pre-Oiled Snaffle Bridle – £59.71, supple out of the box
- Best-value reins: John Whitaker Ready to Ride Pre-Oiled Webbed Reins – from £19.38
- Grippy rubber reins: Whitaker Lynton 5/8" Rubber Reins with Dimpled Grip – £25.47
- Show-day sparkle: Whitaker Lynton Snaffle Bridle with spare diamante browband – £68.03
- Top of the range: John Whitaker Chicago Perforated Anatomic Bridle with 9-loop rubber reins included – £99.98
Which John Whitaker bridle range is right for me?
Whitaker leatherwork comes in several ranges at different price points. Here is how the ones in this collection compare:
| Range | Best for | Guide price | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready to Ride | Everyday schooling and hacking | Snaffle bridle £59.71 | Pre-oiled leather – soft and usable straight away, no breaking-in ritual |
| Lynton | Riders who show and school in one bridle | Snaffle bridle £68.03 | Comes with two browbands – a diamante one for competition and a plain raised one for home |
| Chicago Perforated | Comfort-focused riders | Anatomic bridle £99.98 | Anatomic headpiece design; 9-loop rubber reins included in the box |
| Valencia Premium | Competition and best-quality leather | Flash or Mexican bridle £110.55 | Premium leather with 9-loop rubber reins included |
We also stock the Eastwood range (crank and flash bridles plus the V-Check elastic breastplate at £49.57) in a smaller spread of sizes – check each listing for current availability.
Rubber, webbed or training reins – what's the difference?
Rubber reins give the most grip in rain and sweat – the Ready to Ride Pre-Oiled Rubber Reins (£25.47), Lynton 5/8" dimpled-grip reins (£25.47) and classic John Whitaker 1/2" Rubber Reins (£26.92) all pair leather with a rubber covering. Webbed reins are lighter and softer in the hand – the Ready to Ride Pre-Oiled Webbed Reins start at £19.38. For groundwork and schooling, the Whitaker Training Rein (£12.96), elasticated side reins (£19.53) and rope draw reins (£34.50) cover lunging and flatwork training.
What about martingales and breastplates?
Matching tack finishes the picture: the Whitaker Martingale Barton starts at £19.38, the Lynton Running Martingale is £26.97, and the Ready to Ride Pre-Oiled Martingale is £25.47. For cross-country and jumping, the Whitaker Ready to Ride Breastplate (£46.27) and the Eastwood V-Check Elastic Breastplate (£49.57) keep the saddle secure, while the Valencia Premium 5-Point Sheepskin Breastplate (£111.23) adds pressure-spreading padding.
Can I just update my browband?
Yes – the Lynton V-Shaped and U-Shaped Diamante Browbands (£21.29 each) fit standard bridles and are an easy way to smarten up for show season without replacing the whole bridle.
John Whitaker bridle & rein FAQs
What size bridle does my horse need?
As a rule of thumb: Pony for ponies up to around 13.2hh, Cob for larger ponies and finer-headed horses, and Full for most horses around 15hh–16.2hh. Selected Ready to Ride lines also come in X-Full for bigger-headed horses. If your horse is between sizes, measure an existing bridle that fits well, or get in touch and our team will help.
What does "Ready to Ride" pre-oiled mean?
Ready to Ride leatherwork is oiled during manufacture, so it arrives soft and supple rather than stiff. You can fit it and ride the same day instead of spending weeks breaking the leather in – a big reason the Ready to Ride snaffle bridle (£59.71) is one of our most popular Whitaker bridles.
What is the difference between a snaffle and a flash bridle?
A snaffle (cavesson) bridle has a plain noseband and suits most horses. A flash bridle adds a second strap below the bit, which can help discourage a horse from opening its mouth or crossing its jaw. Whitaker offers both in the Ready to Ride and Lynton ranges, so you can pick the noseband your horse goes best in at the same price point.
Do John Whitaker bridles come with reins?
The Chicago Perforated and Valencia Premium bridles include 9-loop rubber reins in the box. Other ranges, such as Ready to Ride and Lynton, are typically sold as bridle only – check the individual product listing, and budget from £19.38 for a pair of Whitaker webbed reins if you need them.
Rubber or webbed reins – which should I choose?
Choose rubber reins if you ride in all weathers or have a horse that leans – the covering keeps grip when wet. Choose webbed reins if you prefer a lighter, softer feel in the hand or ride mostly in a school. Many riders keep one of each: webbed for schooling, rubber for hacking and jumping.
How quickly will my order arrive, and can I return it?
UK delivery is free on orders over £50, and you have 90 days to return anything that does not fit or suit your horse. If you are unsure on sizing before you order, get in touch and our team will help.
Free UK delivery over £50 · 90-day returns · Expert help
Last reviewed 2026-07-19 by the Just Horse Riders team.