Grackle bridles for every budget

Sometimes known as figure-of-eight or cross-over bridles, the best grackle bridles are designed to help prevent your horse from crossing his jaw and opening his mouth. This type of noseband is a variation of the flash noseband, but if your horse opens his mouth or evades the grackle applies pressure more evenly and over a larger area than a flash. It also allows more room around the nostrils.

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.

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 reins included, but matching ones are usually available separately.

Best grackle bridles

LeMieux Kudos Grackle Bridle

Colours: Black or Havana | Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full | RRP: £189.95 |

This bridle features both featuring 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 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.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or equus.co.uk

Collegiate ComFiTec Grackle Bridle

Colours: Black or brown | Sizes: Cob, full or warmblood | RRP: £98.86 |

This bridle 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.

Mark Todd Padded Grackle Bridle

Colours: Black or Havana | Sizes: Cob or full | RRP: £119.98 |

Made from soft and supple Italian leather, this bridle has a padded headpiece for comfort and raised detailing. It has stainless steel buckles and central fleece padding on the noseband. Reins sold separately.

In the UK? View the bridle now at amazon.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the UK? View the noseband now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

KM Elite Leather Grackle Bridle

Colours: Black or Havana | Sizes: Cob, full or extra-full | RRP: £95 |

This Argentinian leather bridle is finished with contemporary white contrast stitching. The noseband, which features a protective sheepskin centre, is integrated into the headpiece for reduced movement and improved fit, and the headpiece is shaped around the ears and poll for comfort.

In the UK? View now at gsequestrian.co.uk

GS Equestrian Grackle Bridle

Colours: Brown | Sizes: Cob or extra-full | RRP: £29.95 |

This bridle is about as cheap as you can get. It has padding on the headpiece, browband and part of the noseband. Reins sold separately.

In the UK? View now at gsequestrian.co.uk

Whitaker Ready To Ride Mexican Bridle

Colours: Black or brown | Sizes: Pony, cob, full or extra-full | RRP: £82.50 |

Part of the Whitaker Ready To Ride collection, this bridle is water-resistant, crack-resistant and requires very little aftercare. It has a raised browband and tonal stitching and stainless steel hardware. Reins sold separately.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com

Hy Equestrian Mexican Bridle

Colours: Black or brown | Sizes: Extra-small, pony, cob, full or extra-full | RRP: £55.99 |

This Mexican grackle bridle has a raised and padded browband and noseband, and the faux shearling pad reduces pressure on the nose. Rubber grip reins included.

In the UK? View the bridle now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the UK? View the noseband now at viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk

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You might also like:

8 bridles with flash nosebands that you might like in your tack room

9 anatomical bridles to ensure maximum comfort

8 bitless bridles to consider if you’re thinking of making the switch

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Georgia Guerin

H&H senior content editor: e-commerce and products

Georgia is Horse & Hound’s equestrian products expert and our favourite shopping guru as she knows about all the latest products, often before they hit the shelves. She is here to help you make the right purchases, whatever your budget. Georgia has a first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.