Double bridles

[Daffy Dilly]

Tried Daffy in a weymouth set yesterday as an alternative to the pelhams he isn't keen on and he was nice and settled. Didn't ask for an outline or anything, just all paces on both reins, but he was working nicely.

It felt odd to me though. I'm used to riding in double reins with a pelham and have no problems doing so. I can't quite define the difference, but I was wondering if there *should* feel to be a difference, or whether it's all psychological? :confused:

[Mehitabel]

i feel a noticeable difference.

[Bay Mare]

It's a long time since I rode in a double but I'm pretty sure that it did feel quite different to the pelham.

[Iron Maiden]

Definitely feels different. Can't say why though! Maybe because you can ride just off the snaffle rein & have no curb action at all, can't really do that in a pelham? All I know is my old cob went pretty badly in a pelham - he just stuck his head down & tried to run through it - but he could work beautifully in a double.

[Daffy Dilly]

That's good to know.

Plan at the moment is only to use it for shows, but I can see we'll need to do a bit of work at home in it as well so I get used to it. He didn't seem in the least bit fussed. He does go differently (better) at shows, coming into an outline before I've even considered asking, so it will be interesting to see what happens on the 17th at our next one.

[Mossy]

I don't show but I hunt Moss in a double. The feeling is totally different. With the double you have two separate bits and can emphasise one over the other as required. Moss is a devil hunting in his pelham, he just leans on it and tanks. If I tighten up to stop the tank he rears! NICE - NOT :rolleyes: !!! In a double I have total respect, no need for enforced control as he knows that "I have the technology" He is balanced responsive and keeps all four feet firmly on the floor. Much better :D :D :D We charge across Dartmoor flat out but light and under control.

[Bebe]

Maybe because you can ride just off the snaffle rein & have no curb action at all, can't really do that in a pelham?

Probably, even if you only have a snaffle rein attached to the pelham the curb comes into play at some point, even with light aids. I've noticed that I actually have to give the rein forwards to the point of being slack to remove the curb action completely in a pelham.