Micklem Fitting Guide
RAMBO MICKLEM COMPETITION BRIDLE & MULTI-BRIDLE - FITTING
SIZING AND MEASUREMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Horses heads vary a great deal but a general guide to sizing is;
Pony 13.2HH and Lower
Small Horse/Cob 13.2HH up to 15.2HH Fine Head
Standard Horse 14.2HH Large Head to 16.3HH Fine Head
Large Horse 16.2HH Large Head and Higher
Taking a measurement of your horses head will provide you with a more accurate guide to your horses' size requirements. To achieve this measure the distance from the bottom point of the protruding cheek bone on one side of the head, to the bottom point of the protruding cheek bone on the other side of the head, going over the nose.
Under 27 cm (10.6 inches) = Pony
27 - 29 cm (10.6 to 11.4 inches) = Small Horse
29 - 31 cm (11.4 to 12.2 inches) = Standard Horse
31 - 33 cm (12.2 inches to 13 inches) = Large Horse
Correct size is extremely important, if you find that your new bridle is a size to large or small we can exchange, please contact us immediately to discuss your requirements.
FITTING GUIDE
1.MICKLEM COMPETITION BRIDLE & MULTIBRIDLE BITTED OPTION:
Your bridle will arrive partially assembled, if you disassemble your bridle check when placing it back together that the arrow on the headpiece is facing the front. The edge next to the ears will be straighter than the edge facing the wither.
Fit the bit straps to your bit first, with the buckle on the outside and the end of the strap facing upwards, then attach to the bridle using the bit rings at the bottom of the cheek pieces (see photo above) start with these on a longer setting so you can shorten if required at a later stage in the fitting process. For some bits with long sides or double rings a shorter attachment than the bit straps may be needed, in which case one of the sets of plastic bit clips should be used (see photo below). Now place the bridle on your horse. Start by adjusting the cheek straps to position the nosepiece correctly.
Positioning the Front Nose Piece
Correct positioning of the nose piece is very important.. When fitting for the first time keep in mind that the nosepiece should sit 2-3 inches above the horses mouth, with the cheekpieces passing just below the horses protruding cheekbones. To confirm you have the right position, put your fingers either side of the nose at this point and you will be able to locate where the fragile ends of the nose begin. The front nosepiece should not be below this point. Then use both the cheek pieces and the leather bit straps (shorten now if required) or plastic bit clips to fit your bit at the normal height.
Fitting lower Nose and Jaw Straps
The last step is to fit the lower straps under the jaw and nose. When fitting the top strap under the jaw, remember it is designed to be fastened flush with the skin, not loose like a throat lash, this holds the bridle in place without causing any discomfort. It will sit naturally on the cheek-bones at approximately 45 degrees to the vertical. Note that it sits lower on the jaw than a traditional throat lash. Neither of the lower straps should be tight, they should both sit flush and are designed to allow for a small amount of movement. If you find that your straps are not meeting or the bridle is sitting too low on the horse's nose then you may need to adjust the size of your bridle.
Fitting the Tongue and Bar Protector
Use the appropriate length bit straps or bit clips to join the bit to the side rings on the lower D's on the side of your Micklem. This provides you with a unique tongue and bar protection system (see below). If a rider gets left behind, or a horse and rider pull against each other, the clips will shift the extra pressure to the nose rather than on to the tongue or the very narrow bars of the mouth. 
GUIDE FOR MICKLEM MULTIBRIDLE - BITLESS AND CAVESSON OPTIONS
2. MULTI-BRIDLE (ONLY) - CAVESSON
The Rambo Micklem Multibridle as fitted above, can be used as a classical lunge cavesson by simply attaching a lunge line to the ring provided on the nose piece. When using side reins or running reins, which by their nature are relatively fixed, the tongue protection system using the clips is a huge advantage. It may be necessary to tighten the top back strap by one hole in some circumstances where extra security is required.
There are three alternative bitless bridles, from mild to strong, so there will be one that suits your horse and they all avoid damage to the molar teeth caused by standard bitless bridles. They are great to use after any mouth injury or damage such as split corners or if your horse dislikes a bit. Some may wish to use a bitless bridle on a continuous basis and the stronger alternative is ideal for this. This design has been proved to work very successfully for many years.
. Mild (top left) - Take out the bit by undoing the bit straps or clips and attach the reins directly to the side rings and you ha-ve a mild bitless bridle.
. Medium (top middle) - Add the curb groove attachment by fitting it under the bottom back strap, like a curb chain. You need to open the lower back strap of the Multibridle when doing this.
Fit the lower back strap though the keeper (image top right) at the back of the curb groove attachment before doing this strap up again. Then bring the side straps of this attachment back through the side rings of the Multibridle, before attaching the reins to the end of these side straps.
. Strong (image bottom left) - Take the long strap and bring it through the keeper (keeper image above right) at the top of the headpiece. Centre this strap, then cross it diagonally at the back of the head and bring it out through the side rings, before attaching the reins to the ends of this long strap.
HEADCOLLAR
Just take off the bit or bitless bridle attachment and loosen the back straps and it is a headcollar for travelling to competitions or for use during long distance rides.
*Please note, A comprehensive brochure on how to fit your bridle is included in all Rambo Micklem bridle packs.