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Shires Equestrian · For the Horse

Shires Velociti

Shires Velociti is Shires Equestrian's anatomical leather tack line: FreedomFit bridles with a poll gap, Lusso girths, breastplates and halters. Rapida includes reins; Lusso is the European-leather Pro Series sold without reins. Pony to X-Full.

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Updated October 2026 · By the Tack of the Day Product Team

Horse wearing a Shires Velociti Lusso Ergonomic Curved Flash Bridle in Havana

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Buying tipChoose Velociti Rapida if you want an anatomical bridle that comes with reins, and Velociti Lusso if you want deeper padding and softer European leather and like to pick your own reins. Measure the bridle your horse wears now before choosing between Cob and Full: riders tell us the Velociti Cob is roomier than it looks.

What riders say about Shires Velociti

Riders tell us Velociti leather feels better than its price, that the anatomical headpiece is what keeps them in the line, and that sizing runs true to roomy. Here is what they say, word for word.

Shires Velociti Rapida Figure 8 Bridle

I've ended up buying a whole Velociti Rapida grackle bridle now as I was so impressed with the anatomical headpiece. Great quality and fits beautifully
Verified buyer · 2025

Shires Velociti Lusso bridles

Beautiful quality leather, really really love it. I always buy my leatherwork from Shires for the quality and the fair prices and accurate sizing
Verified buyer · 2026

Shires Velociti Lusso Leather Breakaway Padded Halter

My daughter and I (and horses) LOVE Shires products! We have the Velociti Lusso dressage bridle and then found the halter. It's beautiful, soft and appears to be very well made!
Verified buyer · 2026

Shires Velociti GARA Neck Strap w/Handle

I bought it as a safety net when riding my sharp young Friesian. I can confirm it saved me hitting the deck on Saturday when she spun
Verified buyer · 2025

Shires Velociti Rapida reins

I have numerous pairs of these reins now. For the children they are ideal. Narrow in the hand, very flexible and my children love the nobbly bits so they can make sure they are holding the reins evenly. The best bit is that the nobbles are built into the rubber so if the pony bangs his head down, the kids don't get their hand ripped like they do using the rubber reins with the nobbles stitched on to the outside. These are WAY better.
Verified buyer · 2025

Shires Velociti bridles

I've just bought the Shires Velociti Bridle last week! I actually love it for my cob. I was having issues as his head seems to be somewhere in between cob/pony - so I had to mix and match 2 bridles together, with a cob headpiece, pony browband, cob noseband and pony cheek pieces! However, I got the Shires Velociti bridle in Cob (I was convinced it was going to be far too big) but I love it!
Rider review · 2023

Shires Velociti Lusso Dressage Girth

I absolutely love this girth. The leather is super soft, feels high quality and it's nice and cushy. Contours perfectly so my horse is comfortable for our entire ride. Would consider this a fantastic dupe for the LeMieux dressage girth. Only con is that this girth does run a bit large. My guy normally needs a 24" so I ordered a 24" but it was too big. Sent it back and got a 22" and it fits perfectly.
Rider review · 2023

Shires Velociti Rapida bridles

Unfortunately I'm going to have to return it as I have a Clydesdale and even though the fabulous bridle is extra full it doesn't fit him
Verified buyer · 2025

In the Spotlight

The Velociti bridles, reins, girths and halters riders choose most

Shires Velociti bridles: Rapida, Lusso and Fancy

Shires Velociti bridles share one idea: take pressure off the poll and the face. The FreedomFit headpiece is a wide, cushioned crown with a poll gap and a cutaway ear profile, and the Ergonomic and Curved designs shape the noseband and cheek pieces to sit clear of the facial nerves.

Velociti Rapida bridles are vegetable-tanned leather with anti-shock padding and signature Velociti reins in the box: the Ergonomic Curved Flash for a horse that fusses in a plain noseband, the Figure 8 for jumping, the Hunter Cavesson for a classic look and the Dressage Bridle with a padded crank. Velociti Lusso is the Pro Series in European leather, sold without reins; the Lusso Hunter Cavesson was designed for the American hunter arena. Velociti Fancy bridles are square raised Oak Bark leather with matching reins, Pony to X-Full.

Every Shires bridle, including Avignon and Aviemore, is on the Shires bridles and reins page.

Shires Velociti reins: rubber grip, laced and curb

Velociti Rapida reins are rubber grips over a non-stretch nylon core with stainless hook studs, the same reins that come with Rapida bridles. Velociti Lusso reins come laced or nylon insert rubber grip in 54 and 60 inches, and Velociti Gara Curb Reins are plain leather in 1/2 and 5/8 inch widths, to ride alone or as the curb rein of a double. Riders with long-necked horses tell us the longer reins are what finally fit.

Shires Velociti girths: Lusso leather girths and a Western cinch

Shires Velociti Lusso girths are contoured leather with a soft calf leather lining and edges that curve away from the horse so they do not cut in. The Lusso Dressage Girth runs 18 to 30 inches, the Lusso Anatomical Girth 38 to 54 inches, and the Lusso Stud Girth adds a shaped belly guard for horses jumping in studs. The Velociti Leather Western Girth is oiled leather over memory foam, 26 to 36 inches.

Compare every Shires, ARMA and Velociti girth on the Shires girths page.

Shires Velociti breastplates, martingales and neck straps

Shires Velociti breastplates and martingales match the bridles line for line. The Velociti Rapida Breastplate clips to the saddle D-rings, is padded at the withers and breast and comes with a detachable running martingale. The Lusso Breastplate is lined with cushioned leather and has stretch inserts to buffer shocks, and Velociti Fancy square raised martingales match the Fancy bridles. The Velociti GARA Neck Strap has a padded center handle, and riders tell us it is the strap they reach for on a young or sharp horse.

Shires Velociti Lusso leather halters and lead ropes

Shires Velociti Lusso halters are European leather headcollars shaped at the head and nose to spread pressure, with anti-shock lining and soft rolled edges. The Lusso Leather Breakaway Padded Halter pairs waxed leather with webbing in four colors; the Lusso Girona, Lorca and Soria headcollars run Pony to X-Full, and the Velociti Leather/Poly Lead Rope matches the breakaway halter.

Shires Velociti Western headstalls, reins and cinches

Shires Velociti Western is oiled harness leather with stainless steel fittings, in dark or light oil: Browband and One Ear Headstalls with rawhide tie ends, a Western Noseband, a Shaped Breastcollar and a 3/4 inch Tie Down. Roper reins are 5/8 inch by 8 feet with a quick-release clip, split reins are 7 feet, and the Leather Western Girth finishes the set.

Shop all Velociti Western tack.

Shires Velociti Rapida vs Lusso vs Gara: which line is right

Rapida is the everyday anatomical line with reins included, Lusso is the Pro Series in European leather for riders who want more padding and choose their own reins, and Gara is the plain, practical leather of neck straps and curb reins. Fancy and Western are style lines for the hunter ring and Western riders.

LineLeatherWhat sets it apartSizesReins included
Velociti RapidaVegetable-tanned, hand-stitchedFreedomFit crown with poll gap and cutaway ears; anti-shock paddingCob to X-FullYes: Velociti rubber grip reins
Velociti LussoVegetable-tanned European leather; calf lining on girthsPro Series: three-part anti-shock crown, deeper paddingCob to X-Full (halters Pony to X-Full)No: matching Lusso reins sold separately
Velociti GaraVegetable-tanned, hand-stitchedNeck strap with padded handle; plain curb reinsNeck strap Small and LargeCurb reins sold on their own
Velociti FancySquare raised, fancy stitched, Oak BarkHunter and equitation lookPony to X-FullYes: matching reins
Velociti WesternOiled harness leather, dark or light oilRawhide ties, stainless fittingsHorseSold separately

Shires Velociti sizing: Pony to X-Full and girth lengths

Shires Velociti bridles, breastplates, martingales and halters come in Pony, Cob, Full and X-Full; on our size menus Full is listed as Horse and X-Full as Large Horse. Rapida and Lusso bridles start at Cob, while Fancy bridles and Lusso halters start at Pony. Every bridle measurement below is from Shires Equestrian's own chart.

Velociti girths are sized in 2-inch steps: measure with your saddle and pad on, from the middle billet hole on one side, under the horse, to the middle hole on the other. Riders tell us the Lusso Dressage Girth runs a size large. Velociti reins come in 48, 54 and 60 or 61 inches; Western roper reins are 8 feet.

  1. Lay your horse's best-fitting bridle flat and measure from one bit ring, up the cheekpiece, over the headpiece and down to the other bit ring.
  2. Measure the browband end to end, not including the loops.
  3. Measure the noseband all the way around where it sits, about two fingers below the cheekbone.
  4. If the headpiece fits one size and the noseband another, choose the size that fits the headpiece and browband.
MeasurementPonyCobFull (Horse)X-Full (Large Horse)
Headpiece and cheekpieces, bit ring to bit ring80–98 cm (31.5–38.5 in)86–109 cm (33.75–43 in)93–115 cm (36.5–45.25 in)95–122 cm (37.5–48 in)
Browband37.5 cm (14.75 in)40 cm (15.75 in)42.5 cm (16.75 in)45 cm (17.75 in)
Throatlatch51–69 cm (20–27.25 in)60–83 cm (23.5–32.75 in)67–91 cm (26.5–35.75 in)71–94 cm (28–37 in)
Cheekpiece22.5 cm (8.75 in)24 cm (9.5 in)25 cm (9.75 in)26 cm (10.25 in)
Flash noseband, around the nose50–58 cm (19.75–22.75 in)58–64 cm (22.75–25.25 in)62–70 cm (24.5–27.5 in)68–76 cm (26.75–30 in)
Flash strap, around the nose42–54.5 cm (16.5–21.5 in)47–57 cm (18.5–22.5 in)52–63 cm (20.5–24.75 in)57–68 cm (22.5–26.75 in)
Figure 8 jaw strap21–28 cm (8.25–11 in)24–35 cm (9.5–13.75 in)30.5–39.5 cm (12–15.5 in)34–44 cm (13.5–17.25 in)

Who Shires Velociti is for

Shires Velociti suits riders who want anatomical comfort and good leather in a bridle, girth and breastplate that match, without paying top-tier prices.

  • Owners of young or sensitive horses: the Rapida Ergonomic and Ergonomic Curved Flash bridles keep pressure off the poll and facial nerves, and the GARA Neck Strap gives you a handle.
  • Hunter and equitation riders: the Lusso Hunter Cavesson and the Velociti Fancy square raised bridles and martingales.
  • Jumpers and eventers: the Rapida Figure 8, the Lusso Stud Girth and the Rapida Breastplate.
  • Dressage riders: the Lusso Dressage Flash and Rapida Dressage Bridle with crank nosebands, plus the Lusso Dressage Girth.
  • Pony families and lesson barns: Pony-size Fancy bridles and Lusso halters, and Rapida reins that riders tell us help children keep their hands even.
  • Look elsewhere for a draft or oversize horse: X-Full is the largest Velociti size, and one rider with a Clydesdale found it too small.

Shires Velociti FAQ

Do Shires Velociti bridles come with reins?

It depends on the line. Velociti Rapida bridles come with signature Velociti rubber grip reins, and Velociti Fancy bridles come with matching reins. Velociti Lusso bridles are sold without reins, so you can choose Lusso laced or nylon insert rubber grip reins to match.

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What is the difference between Velociti Rapida, Lusso and Gara?

Rapida is the everyday anatomical line in vegetable-tanned leather with reins included. Lusso is the Pro Series in European leather with a three-part anti-shock crown and deeper padding, sold without reins. Gara is plain, hand-stitched vegetable-tanned leather for neck straps and curb reins.

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What size Velociti bridle does my horse need?

Measure your horse's current bridle and compare it to the Shires chart on this page. A Cob browband is 40 cm (about 15.75 inches) and a Full is 42.5 cm (about 16.75 inches). Full is listed as Horse and X-Full as Large Horse on our size menus.

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What length Velociti girth should I buy?

Measure from the middle billet hole on one side, under the horse, to the middle hole on the other side with your saddle and pad on. The Lusso Dressage Girth runs 18 to 30 inches, the Lusso Anatomical and Stud girths 38 to 54 inches, and the Leather Western Girth 26 to 36 inches.

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Which Velociti bridle is best for the hunter ring?

Shires designed the Velociti Lusso Hunter Cavesson for the American hunter arena. The Velociti Fancy Square Raised Padded Bridle gives the square raised, fancy stitched look, with matching running and standing martingales.

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Does Shires Velociti make Western tack?

Yes. Velociti Western includes browband and one ear headstalls with rawhide ties, a Western noseband, roper and split reins, a shaped breastcollar, a tie down, a leather Western girth and spur straps, all in oiled harness leather.

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Sources: product details from Shires Equestrian product data and shiresequestrian.com; bridle size chart from Shires Equestrian's Flash Bridles and Grackle Bridles size charts, checked October 2026. Inch figures are converted from centimeters and rounded to the nearest quarter inch. Verified buyer quotes are product reviews from Tack of the Day and Shires Equestrian's review feed; rider reviews are quoted word for word from public rider discussions, October 2026.