Anatomy-Aware Bridle Fitting: Avoiding Facial Nerve Pinch Points

Comfort first = softer contact, steadier connection, happier horse. 
This guide shows exactly where sensitive structures are on the head, how common bridle parts can pinch them, and what correct fit looks like

The sensitive landmarks (plain-English)

• Brow area (supraorbital foramen): a small hollow just above the eye where the supraorbital nerve exits. A tight browband can compress here → head-shaking, rubbing.
• Facial crest & zygomatic arch (cheekbone): don't run straps hard over this ridge; keep the cavesson 1-2 fingers below it.
• Infraorbital foramen (mid-face): little hole in the bony face, roughly a finger's width below the crest, under the cheekpiece area-avoid direct pressure from nosebands/cheek straps.
• Nasal bone vs. soft cartilage: safe pressure on bone; avoid the soft, lower nose (cartilage) where pressure restricts airflow.
• Chin groove & mental foramen: where the mental nerve exits-flash/drop straps belong in the groove, not up on the bars of the mandible.
• Poll/atlas: the headpiece sits over the nuchal ligament and small nerves-wide, padded, ear-cut headpieces spread load; too-narrow crowns create hot spots.
• Throatlatch area: must allow swallowing and flexion; too tight = airway tension.

How each bridle part should fit (and what to avoid)

1) Headpiece (crown)

• Fit: Wide, softly padded, cut away from the base of the ears; sits level without dragging the browband forward.
• Avoid: Narrow, hard crowns; buckles stacked right over the poll; cheekpieces pulling the crown into the ears.

2) Browband

• Fit: Long enough that the crown lays flat and the browband doesn't tug the headpiece down onto the poll or pinch the supraorbital area.
• Test: Unbuckle one cheekpiece-if the browband springs forward, it's too short

3) Cheekpieces & bit height

• Fit: Bit creates 1-2 small wrinkles at the lip corner; cheeks sit clear of the infraorbital foramen (don't push straps hard into the mid-face).
• Avoid: Cheeks buckled so high they cross the cheekbone ridge; hook-studs digging into skin.

Shop Cheekpieces & Bit Attachments 

4) Cavesson (plain or crank)

• Position: Centre on nasal bone-typically 1-2 fingers below the cheekbone.
• Tension: Honest two-finger space upright at the front; even pressure all around (especially with cranks).
• Avoid: Sitting on soft cartilage (breathing), cranking until no chew, cavesson too high pinching the cheekbone.

5) Flash (cavesson + lower strap)

• Position: Flash strap lies in the chin groove, in front of the bit; buckled so a finger fits underneath.
• Avoid: Pinching lip corners between flash and bit ring; flash loop sitting so low it rides on cartilage.

6) Drop noseband

• Position: Front piece firmly on nasal bone (higher than many riders place it); lower strap in chin groove.
• Avoid: Any placement on soft nose cartilage-watch for flared nostrils being restricted.

7) Figure-Eight / Grackle

• Position: Centre pad sits on the nasal bone; top straps clear the eye; bottom straps meet in the chin groove.
• Avoid: Centre ring rubbing; straps too near the eye; lower cross dropping onto cartilage.

8) Anatomical (Micklem-style, etc.)

• Principle: Straps are shaped to avoid infraorbital and facial nerves and to stabilise the bit.
• Fit: Follow brand chart; you still need two-finger room at the front and clear nostrils.

9) Throatlatch

• Rule: A closed fist (or 4 fingers) between latch and throat. Too tight restricts swallowing and flexion.

Shop Bridle Parts  

7-point fitting sequence (10 minutes, start-to-finish)

1. Set the bit height (1-2 wrinkles).
2. Place the cavesson on the nasal bone, 1-2 fingers below cheekbone; two-finger space.
3. Check browband length-no pull on crown or ears.
4. Adjust headpiece so padding clears ear bases; buckle stacks sit away from poll centre.
5. Fit flash/drop/figure-eight in the chin groove; confirm nostrils flare freely.
6. Throatlatch fist test; horse should yawn/chew comfortably.
7. Ridden check: ask for stretch-horse should softly chew and swallow; no rubs after work.

Red flags that scream "nerve/airway pressure"

• Head-shaking, rubbing on the leg, or intermittent head tilt
• Dry, tight mouth (no chew) once warmed up
• Flared nostrils with noisy breathing at easy paces
• Swellings or rubs along nose or under the jaw
• Hard, fixed poll; horse ducks behind the contact as you shorten the reins

If these appear, loosen, reposition to bone (not cartilage), and consider a different noseband style or anatomical headpiece. Rule out teeth issues as well.

Matching noseband style to behaviour-without masking problems

Care & hardware that make a difference

• Padding & edges: rolled or softly bound; hard edges = rubs.
• Buckles & keepers: smooth, correctly sized; replace sharp or bent parts.
• Leather hygiene: salt stiffens and increases rubbing-wipe after every ride, condition sparingly at flex points. 

Quick visual checklist (screenshot-worthy)

• Browband NOT pulling headpiece into ears or brow hollow
• Cavesson on bone, 1-2 fingers below cheekbone
• Two fingers upright under front of noseband
• Flash/drop in the chin groove; lips not pinched
• Nostrils can flare freely at trot
• Throatlatch = fist space
• After ride: no rubs, horse chews and stretches 

FAQs

Q: My horse hates the flash-what now?
A: Remove it. Try a plain cavesson or an anatomical noseband that stabilises without clamping. Check bit width/height and teeth.

Q: How tight is "two fingers"?
A: Two adult fingers upright, not sideways. You should feel easy spring under the front of the noseband.

Q: Can anatomical bridles be over-tightened?
A: Yes. The shape helps placement, not licence to crank. Keep the same two-finger rule and clear nostrils.

Q: Best bridle for head-shy horses?
A: Wide, padded headpiece, generous browband, plain cavesson or well-fitted anatomical; soft leather and minimal hardware near the infraorbital area.

Bottom line

Place straps on bone, give room to chew and breathe, spread load at the poll, and keep edges soft and clean. When the bridle respects the nerves and airways, you'll see the payoff: a quieter mouth, steadier contact, and a horse that seeks the hand instead of hiding from it.