The best grackle bridles (also known as figure-of-eight or cross-over bridles) are designed to help prevent the horse from crossing its jaw or opening its mouth. This type of noseband is a variation of the flash. The grackle applies pressure more evenly over a larger area than a flash when the horse evades and allows more room around the nostrils.
If you want to switch to a grackle noseband, you can either buy a complete grackle bridle or the noseband on its own. If you’re buying a single noseband, it’s best to select leatherwork as similar as possible to the rest of your bridle. If you’re buying a new bridle, be aware that many don’t come with a pair of the best reins included, but matching ones are usually available separately.
Best grackle bridles: H&H’s quick guide
Best grackle bridle for the perfect fit: Henry James Saddlery Mexican
Best value grackle bridle: Eco Rider Freedom
Best premium grackle bridle: Antares Origin
Best grackle bridles
Henry James Saddlery Mexican Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black or Havana
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
Made from soft and supple English Sedgwick leather, this bridle features a cut‑back anatomical headpiece with a central air gap that avoids contact with the last two vertebrae of the neck and generous lightweight padding, aiming to relieve pressure at the poll and around the ears.
The grackle noseband is softly padded and includes a double buckle chin strap to secure a symmetric and optimal fit. The throatlash is integrated within headpiece reduces bulk around the TMJ area and allows the cheekpiece and noseband buckles to lie flat against the horse’s skin.
There is the option with Henry James bridles to build your own with mix-and-match sizes. Reins sold separately.
Eco Rider Freedom Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
This bridle aims to alleviate pressure from the nerve sensitive poll area, the headpiece is cut away so as to adapt to the shape of your horse’s ears, and the raised padded and curved browband is easily removable.
The throat lash is attached to the top of the headpiece so as to relieve pressure under the jaw. Soft sheepskin padding on the nose also distributes pressure evenly and is a perfect buffer against any unwanted pressure. Reins sold separately.
Antares Origin Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Cob or full
This bridle from Antares is crafted from buttery soft, pre-oiled French leather for ultimate comfort and performance. It features an anatomically shaped headpiece that relieves pressure around the ears and poll, and a ring-free, calfskin-padded grackle noseband that sits flush against the cheekbone, this bridle is designed to protect sensitive areas while offering a sleek, refined fit. Reins sold separately.
LeMieux Kudos Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black, havana or chestnut
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
This bridle features both decorative stitching and soft padding for comfort on the brow and along the bridge of the nose, as well as an anatomically shaped headpiece that is cut away around the ears to aid pressure distribution.
The bridle also comes with interchangeable padding at the back of the nosepiece with the option of merino wool or a soft leather cushion, while the D-ring on the noseband allows the pieces to sit smoothly against your horse’s cheeks and jaw. This helps to provide a tailored fit for different jaw shapes and allows the back strap to move independently.
The black bridle comes with silver fittings, while the Havana comes with brass. Reins sold separately.
Collegiate ComFiTec Opulux Plain Padded Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Cob, full or warmblood
This bridle is made from quality European leather and has an anatomical headpiece that is wider at the poll to distribute pressure evenly and comfortably. There is additional padding across the headpiece, under the side rings to prevent rubbing, and on the noseband. The fleece across the nose is removable for easy washing. Reins sold separately.
Shires Velociti Rapida Grackle Bridle and Reins
Colours: Black or Havana
Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full
This eye-catching grackle bridle has a cushioned headpiece with a cutaway ear profile. There is also anti-shock padding on the headpiece, browband and noseband.
The throatlash is angled for an elegant profile and there is no ring at the cheek, which prevents rubbing. The buckles are all stainless steel and matching reins are included.
Cottage Craft Grackle Bridle
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Cob, full or extra-full
Beautifully crafted in eco-friendly vegetable tanned leather, the anatomical grackle bridle from Cottage Craft is classically styled at an affordable price. The anatomically shaped padded headpiece is designed to help distribute pressure and the cut away design and soft padding provided added comfort.
The angled throat lash has been integrated higher into the headpiece to reduce bulk and allow for the cheekpieces and noseband straps to lie flat against the horse’s face. Reins sold separately.
Hy Equestrian Mexican Bridle and Rubber Reins
Colours: Black or brown
Sizes: Extra-small, pony, cob, full or extra-full
A budget friendly Mexican bridle from Hy Equestrian that features a raised and padded browband and noseband, and the faux shearling pad reduces pressure on the nose. This bridle makes a great choice for an everyday bridle if you’re on a tight budget. Rubber grip reins included.
Types of grackle bridles
There are two types of grackle bridles – the English and the Mexican, which is sometimes known as the American or high-ring grackle.
The English is fitted with the upper strap of the noseband just below the cheekbones, while the upper strap of the Mexican is fitted higher up the head and has a softer action. The lower strap of both types fastens below the bit.
How to fit a grackle bridle
- The central pad on the noseband of any grackle bridle should sit as high as possible
- When fitting a Mexican grackle bridle, the top rings on the noseband should sit above the projecting cheek bone, with the top straps fastening around the upper jaw
- When fitting an English grackle bridle, the top straps of the noseband should sit underneath the cheek bone
- The lower strap on all grackle bridles should sit comfortably in the chin groove
- If the bridle has buckle fastenings on either side of the face, ideally they should be fastened on the same hole on both sides
- As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit one finger easily between the horse’s face and the noseband to enable the horse to relax its jaw
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You might also like:
13 anatomical bridles to ensure maximum comfort
8 bridles with flash nosebands that you might like in your tack room
8 bitless bridles to consider if you’re thinking of making the switch
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