Dressage Products News

The "Elevator," A New Bridle from England

January 25, 2004

Inspired by her chestnut mare “Elevator”, Lorraine Green of Horsesense Saddlery, England, has launched a new bridle to alleviate pressure points and make the horse more comfortable in its work. Visitors to the European Championships, Hickstead, would have had the chance to inspect them.

Lorraine is a qualified saddle fitter and has competed successfully in affiliated eventing, dressage and show jumping. “Elevator” was experiencing problems. “We were making the transition from eventing to pure dressage. She did not want to work in a round frame or flex but the main problem was that she wouldn't go forward.”

The sources of Elevator's problems were worked out after a period of expert consultations. The poll is a very sensitive area of the horse and adverse pressure on this area can cause problems. Elevator was checked by a vet, dentist, and chiropractor and had sports massages. Saddle fitting problems had also been eliminated. The most thought provoking information for Lorraine came from Kyra Kyrkland's first demonstration in the U.K. “She had said a horse can feel a fly so why do we need to use so much kit?”

The bridle was soon in its primary development stage, as riding in a padded headcoller didn't cause problems but obviously needed more refined control. Researching this area of the horse in more depth led to the current design. It is a simple and logical design, which is protected by design and copyrights.

British European Bronze medal winner Nicola McGivern whose top horse, Active Walero, had bad scarring thought to have been caused in the past by a pinching bridle. Nicola says, “The Elevator bridle is really padded and well shaped behind the ears and Walero is much happier in it.” This is where the Elevator is said to be different from other bridles, which also aim to release pressure.

The Elevator is made in the UK out of the finest English leather. It is made using a longer browband to eliminate the common problem of the bridle being pulled forward onto the ears. “It improves all horses it has been tried upon including many very difficult horses with various tension and stress problems."

by Diane Williams
Image copyrighted: David Charles

Related Links
Elevator Official Website