Fit by the Numbers
Bridle Sizing: Cob, Full, Oversize
Three measurements and a size chart sort out pony, cob, full and oversize bridles, whatever the label says.
Measure the browband, noseband and crownpiece with cheekpieces, then match each number to a chart. Cob and full are not the same from maker to maker, so trust the numbers and let the buckles do the fine-tuning.
How to measure your horse for a bridle: browband to nose
Measure three things to size a bridle: browband, noseband and crownpiece with cheekpieces. The charts below name those parts as crown, browband, noseband and cheek strap, so measuring the same parts on your horse lets you compare number to number. For a longer walk through, see pony, cob, horse and oversize bridle sizes and how to put a bridle on. Every maker here says its figures are approximate or a guide, so use your measurements to choose a size, not to expect a perfect match.
- Browband: measure across the forehead from one side to the other, just below the ears, where the browband will sit.
- Noseband: measure around the nose at the spot where the noseband will sit, then compare it with the noseband column on the charts.
- Crownpiece: measure the length over the poll that the charts list as crown, and compare it with the crown column or the full length of crown.
- Cheek strap: measure the cheek length the charts list, since a short or long face shows up here first.
- Write the four numbers down, find the chart for your bridle's maker and read across. Where one number falls in the next size up, read the Between sizes section before you order.
Bridle sizes: pony vs cob vs full vs oversize by brand
The difference between a cob and a full bridle is a few centimeters in every part, and the Collegiate chart shows exactly how much. Its cob browband runs 40cm and the full 42cm, the noseband middle part 31cm against 33cm, and the full length of the crown 74cm against 81cm. The Collegiate chart also lists pony and ex-full, and its reins open length climbs from 140cm on pony to 145cm on cob and 150cm on full. Size names do not line up across makers: Collegiate uses Pony, Cob, Full and Ex-Full, Horze prints P, C, F and XF in inches and Rambo prints PY, SC, SH and LH lengths. Check the chart for your maker, not the label alone.
| PONY | COB | FULL | EX-FULL | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part | Measurement Point | cm | in | cm (2) | in (2) | cm (3) | in (3) | cm (4) | in (4) |
| CROWN | Full length of crown | 68cm | 26.75" | 74cm | 29.00" | 81cm | 32.00" | 88cm | 34.50" |
| CROWN | Length between the splits | 34cm | 13.50" | 36cm | 14.00" | 37cm | 14.50" | 40cm | 15.75" |
| CROWN | Split part of crown | 17cm | 6.50" | 19cm | 7.50" | 22cm | 8.50" | 24cm | 9.50" |
| CHEEKS | Closed length | 13.5cm | 5.50" | 16.5cm | 6.50" | 18.5cm | 7.00" | 21.5cm | 8.50" |
| CHEEKS | Full length | 31cm | 12.00" | 34cm | 13.50" | 36cm | 14.00" | 39cm | 15.00" |
| THROAT LATCH/LASH | Full length | 51cm | 20.00" | 53cm | 21.00" | 58cm | 23.00" | 60cm | 23.50" |
| BROWBAND | Full length | 38cm | 15.00" | 40cm | 15.75" | 42cm | 16.50" | 44cm | 17.00" |
| BROWBAND | Stitch to stitch | 32cm | 12.50" | 34cm | 13.50" | 36cm | 14.00" | 38cm | 15.00" |
| NOSEBAND | Middle part | 29cm | 11.50" | 31cm | 12.00" | 33cm | 13.00" | 35cm | 14.00" |
| NOSEBAND | Near side of noseband | 20cm | 8.00" | 20cm | 8.00" | 20cm | 8.00" | 22cm | 8.50" |
| NOSEBAND | Cheek piece | 17cm | 6.50" | 18cm | 7.00" | 20cm | 8.00" | 23cm | 9.00" |
| NOSEBAND | Longer strap of noseband | 76cm | 30.00" | 79cm | 31.00" | 87cm | 34.25" | 91cm | 36.00" |
| PULL BACK/CRANK NOSEBAND | Strap around the nose | 44cm | 17.25" | 46cm | 18.00" | 48cm | 19.00" | 50cm | 19.50" |
| DROP NOSEBAND | Strap around the nose | 22cm | 8.50" | 24cm | 9.50" | 26cm | 10.25" | 28cm | 11.00" |
| DROP NOSEBAND | Cheek piece | 27cm | 10.50" | 29cm | 11.50" | 31cm | 12.00" | 33cm | 13.00" |
| DROP NOSEBAND | Longer strap of noseband | 95cm | 37.50" | 100cm | 39.50" | 105cm | 41.50" | 110cm | 43.50" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Longer strap of noseband | 68cm | 26.75" | 74cm | 29.00" | 81cm | 32.00" | 88cm | 34.50" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Small strap | 12cm | 4.50" | 12cm | 4.50" | 14cm | 5.50" | 16cm | 6.50" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Back small cheek | 21cm | 8.25" | 23cm | 9.00" | 25cm | 10.00" | 27cm | 10.50" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Back small strap | 24cm | 9.50" | 26cm | 10.25" | 28cm | 11.00" | 30cm | 12.00" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Front cheek | 58cm | 23.00" | 62cm | 24.50" | 66cm | 26.00" | 70cm | 27.50" |
| FIGURE 8 BRIDLE | Front strap | 37cm | 14.50" | 42cm | 16.50" | 47cm | 18.50" | 52cm | 20.50" |
| REINS | Reins open length | 140cm | 55.00" | 145cm | 57.00" | 150cm | 59.00" | 155cm | 61.00" |
- *All measurements are approximate
| Size | (A) Crown | (B) Browband | (C) Combined Noseband | (F) Cheek Strap | (E) Reins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 23.6" | 12.5" | 25.5" | 37.4" | 53.1" |
| C | 25.5" | 13.3" | 28.3" | 39.3" | 55.1" |
| F | 27.1" | 14.1" | 30.7" | 41.3" | 57" |
| XF | 29.5" | 14.9" | 31.8" | 43.3" | 59" |
- Bridle sizes generally will fit horses according to the size chart, horse head sizes do vary, and you should test the bridle first to make sure it is a good fit.
- When the bridle is on, there should be a hand's width between the chin strap and the horse's jaw, two fingers' width between the noseband and the horse's nose, and you should be able to fit two fingers under the browband. The browband must not be so tight that it pinches behind the horse's ears, nor be so long that it pulls the bridle forward.
| Size | Length |
|---|---|
| PY | 64 Cm |
| SC | 68 Cm |
| ST | 72 Cm |
| LH | 76 Cm |
| Size | Length |
|---|---|
| PY | 36mm |
| SC | 37.5 Cm |
| SH | 39 Cm |
| LH | 41 Cm |
| Size | Width |
|---|---|
| PY | 29Cm |
| SC | 31Cm |
| SH | 33Cm |
| LH | 35Cm |
| Size | Length |
|---|---|
| PY | 16Cm |
| SC | 17.5Cm |
| SH | 19 Cm |
| LH | 20.5Cm |
| Size | Length |
|---|---|
| PY | 19 Cm |
| SC | 20.5 Cm |
| SH | 22 Cm |
| LH | 24 Cm |
| Size | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| PY | P & SC |
| SC | P & SC |
| SH | P & SH |
| LH | SH & LH |
| Size | A - Flash | B - Browband | C - Noseband | D - Throat Lash | E - Cheek Pieces | F - Head Piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pony | 42 - 54cm | 43cm | 59 - 63cm | 58 - 68cm | 20cm | 44 - 62cm |
| Cob | 49 - 61cm | 44cm | 64 - 72cm | 68 - 78cm | 22cm | 46 - 64cm |
| Full | 50 - 63cm | 46cm | 66 - 74cm | 71 - 81cm | 24cm | 48 - 66cm |
| X-Full | 53 - 68cm | 47cm | 68 - 75cm | 75 - 85cm | 26cm | 50 - 73cm |
- Please note: All measurements are approximate
| Size | Inches |
|---|---|
| Pony | 48" |
| Cob | 52" |
| Full | 54" |
Between bridle sizes: a cob crown with a full browband
When your horse sits between cob and full, fit the parts that are hardest to adjust, the browband and noseband, and let the buckles take up the rest. A browband is either long enough to clear the ears or it is not, while the cheekpieces and crown can move through their holes. One rider with a small, wide face found horse-size bridles too large in the cheeks and nose, and cob browbands too small, which is why a measured browband and noseband matter more than the size on the tag. Where a maker sells a browband or noseband on its own, a size swap can solve it. A shaped crown can change the fit again, so read the guide to an anatomic bridle first. Look elsewhere if your horse is outside every chart, and consider an oversize bridle.
Horze Constance Padded Fancy Stitch Bridle w/reins
★★★★★
I am so happy with this bridle! The fit is perfect. My mare has a small, but wide face. Horse size bridles are too large in the cheeks and nose, while the brow bands on cobs are too small. I was tried of 'Frankensteining' my bridles together, I just wanted one complete bridle to compete in. Well this one is it! I like the mono-crown design, and the brass details are a nice touch. The color is a little darker than pictures. The leather quality seems good, but a little stiff. I cannot yet speak to the durability.
I’ve been super impressed by the quality of the leather for the price. It was a bit stiff out of the box but it has oiled and softened really nicely. My horse is a bit hard to fit and is between cob and horse sized, and the full size fits her well. Plenty of room to adjust and not be on the top holes of everything.
How a bridle should fit: throatlatch, noseband and bit
A bridle fits when the browband clears the ears, the noseband and throatlatch leave room for your fingers, and the buckles are not all on the last hole. The Horze chart prints its own check: a hand's width between the chin strap and the jaw, two fingers' width between the noseband and the nose, and two fingers under the browband. The same note says the browband should not pinch behind the ears or be so long that it pulls the bridle forward. Put the bridle on once with the bit and check each point before you ride. If you want a refresher, see how to put a bridle on. Look elsewhere if the cheekpieces only reach the bit on the last hole: go up a size.
Bridle rein length: how to choose the right size reins
Reins are sized apart from the headstall, so pick them by rein length, not by your bridle size. The LeMieux reins guide lists Pony at 48 inches, Cob at 52 inches and Full at 54 inches, and the Collegiate chart shows reins open length from 140cm to 155cm. Horze lists reins from 53.1 inches on pony to 59 inches on XF. A bigger horse or a long neck needs a longer rein, and a rider who likes a long loop wants a bit more again. For more on rein styles and lengths, read what length reins you need. Measure the reins you like and match that number.
What riders say about bridle fit and sizing
Have used Zilco horse tack for many years. It just keeps getting better. I need an oversize one for my cute but big Welsh cobb/quarter horse that has grown through my large arab sized equipment. I also have a horse sized Zilco driving harness for him. We both love Zilco.
I have been eyeing this bridle for some time and finally gave in. I'm so glad I did! I have an Arab who fits a pony bridle plus uses a hackamore, so it's been difficult to find something that goes small enough - this one does! I LOVE it. We went with the hunter green and its gorgeous! And because she has a smaller head, the 1/2" strap works perfect and doesn't look too thick for her. Will totally be buying more in other colors in the future!
My mare is unable to use a bit due to previous trauma. She has a smaller head, and the cob size fits her perfectly. She goes beautifully in this bridle and is very happy on our trail rides. It's good quality and very adjustable. We have been very happy with this purchase and have been using it for 2 years now.
I finally bought one of these and am wowed by the fit and quality, especially for the price. I like it better than bridles that I paid twice as much for. It fits true to size. I have cob-sized horses and usually have a hard time with perfecting fit.
Shop bridles in cob, full and oversize
Shop Bridles and Reins
Shop all ›Measure your horse first, then filter this shelf by size to narrow it to bridles that match. Check the size chart on each product page against your browband and noseband numbers before you order.
Bridle Sizing FAQ
How do I measure my horse for a bridle?
Measure the browband across the forehead, the noseband around the nose, and the crownpiece with cheekpieces from the poll to the bit ring. Write the numbers down and read them against the maker's chart, because cob and full differ by maker. If a number falls between sizes, go by the browband and noseband. Measure before you order.
CloseWhat is the difference between a cob and full bridle?
A full bridle is larger in every part. In the Collegiate chart a cob browband is 40cm and a full is 42cm, the noseband middle part is 31cm against 33cm, and the crown is 74cm against 81cm. Other makers use different numbers, so compare your horse's measurements with the chart for the bridle you want.
CloseWhat size bridle does my horse need?
Start with your measurements, not the label. Pony, cob, full and oversize cover most heads, so measure the head itself rather than going by your horse's height. Measure the browband, noseband and crownpiece, then read them against the chart for your bridle's maker.
CloseHow do I know if a bridle fits?
A bridle fits when the browband clears the ears and the buckles are not on the last hole. Horze's printed check is a hand's width between the chin strap and the jaw, two fingers between the noseband and the nose, and two fingers under the browband. Put the bridle on, run through each check, and change the size if any of them is off.
CloseCan I mix bridle sizes, like a cob crown with a full browband?
Yes, if the maker sells the parts separately and the sizes are compatible. A small wide face can need a larger browband and noseband than the crown suggests, and riders do put together mixed sizes. Check the product listing to see whether the browband or noseband is sold on its own, and compare each part with the chart before you order.
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