Twelve anatomical properties of the FaySport bridle

The nugal ligament is located in the middle of the neck behind the ears and supports the weight of the head. This is also the location of many nerve endings. The FaySport bridle features a recess in the padding to allow these ligaments to perform their function optimally. The pressure is moved to two gel cushions on the sides of the neck which also increase comfort.

The crown piece follows the shape of the ears to allow optimal freedom of movement for the ears and prevents irritation, head shaking and head tilting caused by an uncomfortable crown piece.

Most bridles feature a browband with a loop around the cheek piece. This may cause pressure or friction on the jaw joint and the many nerves located here. The PressTEQ browband is clicked on top of the bridle, preventing a pressure spot. This also makes it incredibly easy to change the browband.

Almost all bridles brush over the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), this is the joint where the lower jaw connects to the skull. Any movement the horse makes with its mouth, causes motion in this joint. This means most bridles cause friction when the horse chews, licks or relaxes its jaw. The FaySport bridle is specially shaped around this joint, to prevent friction. This encourages the horse to chew, lick and relax its jaw. A relaxed jaw is a requirement for the horse to be on the bit correctly.

The facial crest is the ridge on top of the cheek. Badly fitted bridles may cause chafing on this spot. The shape of the FaySport crown piece gives the facial crest plenty of space.

The shape and fit of the bridle make the throat latch obsolete. By removing it altogether, irritating or obstructing the windpipe is impossible.

The rings to which the cheek pieces are connected feature an elastic insert. This creates an elastic connection which prevents excessive pressure on the connection between the mouth and crown piece. It can also contributes a still location of the bit in the mouth.

The specially shaped noseband avoids the infraorbital foramen, this is an opening in the skull where many important facial nerves pass through the skull. High placed traditional nosebands are positioned right on the infraorbital foramen. Excessive pressure on spot (caused by a high and tight noseband) can cause numbness of the upper lip, nose, eyelids and jaw.

Traditional nosebands run over the nose vertically. This presses the skin of the jaw against the molars and may cause blistering on the inside of the jaw, especially when the noseband is fastened too tightly. The top of the FaySport bridle is shaped differently to prevent this.

The bit is always placed on the bars, a toothless piece of the jawbone which is covered by a thin, sensitive layer of skin. The FaySport bridle comes with elastic Velcro bit straps which help to protect the bars by dividing pressure between the bars and noseband. Pressure of the reins is also applied more evenly because the impact is slowed down by the elastic in the straps. This can be especially useful for young horses or horses with a restless or sensitive mouth.

The tip of the nasal bone is a thin and fragile piece of bone. A low noseband may cause irritation or even fractures in this bone when excessive pressure is applied. The FaySport noseband is placed just above this sensitive bone. The top of the noseband is slightly wider than the sides and features gel padding for better pressure distribution and increased comfort.

The flash strap is attached on the sides of the noseband, which helps to keep the bit steady in the mouth. Traditional flash straps are attached on top of the nose and may put pressure on the nostrils if fitted badly or fastened too tightly, interfering with breathing. The lateral attachment of the FaySport flash straps stays clear of the nostrils to allow for optimal breathing.