Micklem Bridle and Myler Short Shank Combination Comfort Snaffle, our view and info

When we first got Beanie, we noticed very quickly that he likes to carry his head very low, especially when jumping or galloping..

How you position your hands has a good deal of effect and we found that by having elevated hands that we'ren't right down near the pommel of the saddle and more up in a 90 degree angle, it really helped B not be so on the forehand all the time.

But not only that but we also used bits that would help him from leaning and encouraging his head to be more 'up' at the normal position.

First we tried a Myler Bit, the Short Shank Combination Comfort Snaffle Low Port. As pictured below -

Now B is also very strong, which doesn't help when he also has his head low down! But with the myler it helped bring his head up while being a more gentle bit. It encourages self carriage natural lightness, which is something Beanie really needed. By it also working on nose and tongue pressure it stops you having to constantly tug at the reins. Now this really did help Beanie, but while we were at a 1 day event we were talking with new friends in the box next to us who happened to be wearing a Micklem bridle. This was back when they'd just been released and were rather unknown at the time. We'd never seen one so we asked them about it and they explained about the benefits of the micklem. We happened to mention that B is a leaner on the forehand and is also very strong when keen. They recommended we try and Micklem..Now if you haven't heard of or haven't used a Micklem then they work on fitting the horses skull more comfortably. Here is the Horseware Irelands explanation:This unique bridle has been designed to comfortably fit the shape of the horses skull, avoiding pressure on sensitive areas. It can be used as a bridle, lunge cavesson or as a bitless bridle Here is a photo of that from Horseware which actually shows the position of it on a horses skull -We've really found that Beanie is a lot more confortable in a Micklem bridle. He doesn't lean and end up on the forehand so much and it's much easier to get him off the forehand with the micklem.
Obviously not all horses need one, but if you're having problems with your horse and you've established that it could be improved with a Micklem or you just want to give them a try then you can rent them before you buy. A quick google search found - http://www.hireamicklembridle.co.uk/ and i'm sure other companies do them too.
Here's a video on how the Micklem works! Hope it helps