NEW! Place your order online and ship directly to the Dover Saddlery retail store of your choice! You will be contacted by a store associate in approximately 7-10 business days when all of your items are ready for pick up. Standard shipping is FREE! You will be responsible for any Oversize/Overweight fees which will be visible during the checkout process. Ship to Store orders are not eligible for expedited shipping.
To place your ship to store order, simply add items to cart and begin the online checkout process. Select a Dover Saddlery retail location for your 'Shipping Information'. You will be asked to provide your name and phone number so we can contact you when the items are ready for pick-up.
Curbside pick-up is available. Please coordinate with the store associate when you are notified that your item is available for pick-up.
Questions? Call us at 800-406-8204.
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For a properly fitted bridle, a caveson noseband should sit just below the horse's cheekbones - generally no more than the width of 2 fingers from the bottom of the cheekbone to the top of the noseband (this does not apply to drop or figure 8 nosebands). Figure 8 nosebands should sit above the bottom of the cheek bone only if they have a ring that allows movement connecting the noseband to the cheek piece. The browband should never be gaping or flopping. Click Here for more information and examples.
Properly adjusted cheek pieces will cause the bit to create two gentle wrinkles at the corner of the mouth on each side. Cheek piece buckles should generally be at the level of a horse's eye, and on a bridle that fits a horse's head very well, all buckles will generally be at the same level as each other. These cheek piece guidelines are just a suggestion, as finding a perfect fit on all horses is near impossible. Multiple holes are given on cheek pieces to allow for vast adjustment. Keep in mind that the proper position of the bit is a priority over buckle placement. Click Here for more information and examples.
Some horses can be difficult to fit in a stock size bridle. For this reason, additional bridle pieces can be bought in a variety of sizes and it is never a problem to mix and match sizes of individual pieces to get the proper fit.
For a bridle size chart, please refer to the "Size Guide" link that appears on the product page.
A Figure 8 noseband is used with a snaffle bridle and chosen by riders for various reasons. The figure 8 noseband design essentially helps a rider address oral evasions in some horses. It prevents a horse from opening its mouth, similar to a flash strap, and from crossing his jaw. Because the design offers a stronger effect even with a mild bit, it is generally used only with horses that need it. The strap that comprises this type of noseband crosses from the horse's cheekbone over his nose, under his chin and up to the other cheekbone—literally in a figure 8 shape. This type of noseband must be adjusted properly to ensure against interference with the horse's nostrils and breathing. Dover Saddlery offers figure 8 nosebands in colors to match any snaffle bridle and to suit any price point. Choose from brands such as Showmark, Vespucci, Circuit, Wellington, Ovation® and others.
Properly caring for your bridle and reins supports maximum performance, longevity your horse's comfort.
After every ride, you'll want to wipe any grime, sweat, saliva and ring dust from your bridle and reins and use either traditional glycerin soap and water or a specially formulated leather cleanser.
Pay particular attention to cleaning areas of your bridle that are typically under pressure during riding and exposed to saliva, such as the ends of cheek pieces and reins where they come in contact with bit rings.
For a traditional and economical method, glycerin soap, a small bucket and a sponge or cloth works great. Barely moisten the sponge with cool water. Unfasten hook stud closures and buckles to remove debris caught by the hardware and to smooth creases in your leather.
After washing, and when the leather feels smooth and clean, rub a nearly dry sponge or rag against the glycerin soap bar. Apply a thin layer of glycerin soap (no suds during this step) to your leather to seal its pores and keep it soft, but not sticky.
Newer methods of cleaning your bridle involve convenient and easy-to-use tack cleaning and conditioning products. Almost every tack manufacturer has a recommendation or product preference for cleaning and conditioning its products, and some manufacturers produce their own. Always follow manufacturer's guidelines when considering commercial leather cleaners and conditioners.
One-step leather cleaners also condition your leather as you wipe away grime. Two-step cleaners usually advise following cleansing with a conditioner that will soften and protect the leather.
To Adjust a Ring-Style Figure-8 Bridle The figure-8 noseband should be positioned so that the rings on each side are above the bottoms of the cheekbones and underneath the cheek pieces so that the rings do not sit on the cheekbones. These rings allow movement in connecting the upper strap to the noseband strap running to the center disc. Once the rings are placed appropriately, buckle the noseband under the jaw.
Next make sure the center disc sits in the middle of the nose on the nasal bone. The center disc should not sit on soft tissue or cartilage. Next run the lower strap under the chin and in front of the bit and buckle it so that the buckle does not pinch the horse's lips. Take care to ensure that the center piece remains high enough that it and the lower strap do not press on the nostrils and impede the horse's breathing.
Properly adjusted cheek pieces will cause the bit to create two gentle wrinkles at the corner of the horse's mouth on each side. Cheek piece buckles should generally be at the level of a horse's eye, and on a bridle that fits a horse's head very well, all buckles will generally be at the same level as each other.
The browband should never be gaping or flopping, and the crownpiece should not press into the backs of the horse's ears.
How to Attach a Nameplate to a Halter, Bridle, Martingale or Breastplate
Required Tools: will need a leather hole punch, hammer and pencil.
Steps: 1. Unwrap your nameplate and identify the rivets as having two posts and two caps. 2. Center the plate where you would like it ; mark its holes with pencil. 3. Use the hole punch centered on the pencil marks. A good quality hole punch with appropriate pressure applied should be able to penetrate even thick leather halters. 4. Push the rivet posts through the back of the tack so the posts are pointed toward you. 5. Put the nameplate on rivet posts. 6. Place rivet caps onto the posts, and tap the caps with a hammer.
Note: If you do not feel comfortable installing your own nameplate, we are happy to help. Bring your plate and tack into your local Dover Saddlery store for assistance. Your local leather repair professional or cobbler may also be able to assist you.
Figure-8 Bridles The figure-8 bridle is a snaffle bridle that takes its name from the type of noseband it features: the figure-8. The strap on this type of noseband crosses from one of the horse's cheekbones over his nose, under his chin and up to the other cheekbone- literally in a figure-8 shape.
A noseband design preferred by avid jumpers and cross country riders, it essentially helps a horse remain focused and engaged in his work and can help horses that try to evade the bit. Because the design offers a stronger effect even with a mild snaffle bit, the figure-8 noseband is generally used only with horses that need additional support. Some figure-8 nosebands have a sheepskin-lined pad on the nosepiece to provide cushioning over the horse's nasal bone.
This type of noseband must be adjusted properly to ensure against interference with the horse's nostrils and breathing. Additional holes are often required to achieve the proper fit.
Modern figure-8 bridles typically have a single crownpiece that is slightly contoured and padded for horse comfort. Rubber reins are the most commonly seen type of rein with a figure-8 bridle as they provide long-lasting grip in all weather conditions.
Styling on a figure-8 bridle can be flat or raised and plain or fancy-stitched. Your choice of plain or fancy-stitched styling is a matter of personal taste and can reflect how to best flatter your horse's appearance.
The Easiest and Best Guarantee in The Business
Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris.
Special Conditions
To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
• Item was not purchased directly from Dover Saddlery. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dover Saddlery.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
Security Guarantee
Dover Saddlery understands your concerns regarding online security. We share in your concerns and therefore work hard with experts in the field to maintain a highly secure ordering environment. Along with our comment to security, we offer you a Secure Order Guarantee - this gives you 100% protection for your credit card transactions on Doversaddlery.com.
Our Secure Order Guarantee means that you will never have to pay any money related to unauthorized charges to your credit card account, as long as those charges are a direct result from a transaction on Doversaddlery.com.
How it works: If you experience credit card fraud, the Fair Credit Act specifies that your credit card company can hold you liable for no more than $50.00 in fraudulent charges to your account. Our Secure Order Guarantee will reimburse you for any amount up to $50.00 billed to you by your credit card company for unauthorized charges to your account, if those charges result from an order you placed with Doversaddlery.com. For this protection you must promptly notify your credit card company of fraudulent charges and follow their procedures as outlined in your credit card agreement.
One of the most thoughtfully designed figure-8 bridles available, the Vespucci Plain Raised Figure-8 Bridle with padded single crown protects against rubbing and pinching. Figure-8 center is padded for comfort, and leather paddles behind the side ring help prevent pinching and chafing.
The oblong shape of the rings holds the noseband in place and distributes pressure more evenly. Made from premium English leather with superior workmanship and beautiful craftsmanship throughout. Reins sold separately.
Imported.
Manufacturer Restricted Price Product: Count on Dover Saddlery for the best quality, value and price possible. However, some of our manufacturers restrict advertised selling prices and prevent us from advertising discounts. For other items, some manufacturers allow us to offer and advertise a discount on a limited basis. Therefore, some products are not eligible for discounts.
