Size Guide - Passier Bridles
Passier Bridle Size Guide
The sizes are identical for all bridles. Here are the measurements for information:
Where each piece is measured
- A — Headpiece. Total length, laid flat: from one end to the other, up to the end of the keepers, beyond the last hole. Not to be confused with just the visible poll section above the browband, which is much shorter (approximately 37 cm in a Full size).
- B — Browband. Between the keepers: from one keeper to the other, without counting the keepers themselves.
- C — Cheekpiece. From the base of the headpiece, where the browband rests, to the furthest hole — that is, at the longest adjustment.
- D — Noseband, front section. The piece that passes over the nose, measured from one adjustment buckle to the other (long dashes in the diagram). This is not the complete circumference of the nose.
- E — Noseband, back section. The strap that closes the noseband under the jaw, measured from the buckle to the first hole. It passes behind the head: in this front view, only its starting point is visible, outlined with dotted lines.
- F — Throatlash. An independent piece, with no adjustment of its own: it measures 55 cm from buckle to buckle in a Full size. It attaches to the headpiece on each side, and it is on the headpiece that it is lengthened or shortened.
Passier measurements
| Reference | Item | Measurement | PONY | COB | FULL | X-FULL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Noseband | Front section, from buckle to buckle | 44 cm | 45 cm | 46 cm | 48,5 cm |
| E | Noseband | Back section, from the buckle to the 1stst hole | 31 cm | 32 cm | 33 cm | 35,5 cm |
| B | Browband | Between the keepers | 35 cm | 36 cm | 37 cm | 38 cm |
| A | Headpiece | Total length | 67 cm | 70 cm | 73 cm | 76 cm |
| C | Cheekpiece | Total length, at the longest adjustment | 36,5 cm | 38 cm | 39,5 cm | 41 cm |
The adjustment range, measured by us
These measurements do not appear in the Passier size chart: we took them at the saddlery with a tape measure, on a Full-size (horse) bridle. The first two are the ones people naturally take when comparing it with the bridle their horse already wears.
| Measurement | At the shortest / tightest | At the longest / widest |
|---|---|---|
| Headpiece and cheekpieces joined: from one bit attachment to the other, passing over the head | 93 cm | 112 cm |
| Noseband attachment: from the top of the noseband on one side, over the poll, to the top of the noseband on the other side | 83 cm | 102 cm |
| Complete noseband circumference | 60 cm | 72 cm |
| Throatlash (F), buckle to buckle - non-adjustable piece | 55 cm | |
What these figures mean. A Full-size bridle adjusts to 19 cm in height - both at the headpiece and at the noseband attachment - and to 12 cm around the noseband. This is much more than the difference between two adjacent sizes, which is only 3 cm at the headpiece: the two sizes therefore overlap considerably. The aim is not to find the size that just barely « fits », but the one that places your horse in the middle of the adjustment range - the bridle can then be adjusted in either direction as the horse gains muscle, changes with the seasons or ages.
These measurements apply to Full size: ask us if you need the same measurements for Pony, Cob or X-Full; we will take them from a bridle in the shop.
How to measure at home
Lay the bridle flat on a table, with the leather relaxed. Measure with a flexible tape measure, along the leather rather than in a straight line from one point to another.
To compare it with the bridle your horse already wears, measure it in the same way: this is the safest way to choose between two sizes. If you are unsure between two sizes, tell us the breed and head type, and we will help you decide.
Each piece of the bridle is also available separately from Passier: if just one measurement does not fit, there is no need to replace the entire bridle.
