Double Bits

[Appaloosa]

Does anyone understand the purpose of the double bit in showing. I'm going to a national show next week and have to but my baby in a double when he normally has a snaffle.

I know it is tradtion dress and does look smart, but seriously now surely the horses comfort and consequent action is more important than image?

X - A - X

[Tiggerrrr]

You will notice some people show in doubles and others show in pelhams. The difference is, a pelham is more harsh compared to a double combination, as it is one bit and two reins leading from this, so it is constant pressure and pole action. Whereas a double, you have 2 bits, the bridoon, which acts the same as a snaffle and a weymouth (curb bit) which is your pole pressure bit. You will notice some people ride completely off the bridoon and drop the curb rein, this is because the horse is used to the snaffle and the curb rein is as back up!

I would recommend you ride your horse in the double a couple of times to see how he/she reacts.

[Mehitabel]

also, it's not just for tradition - the idea is that by the time you are in an open ridden class (novice classes are in snaffles) your horse should be of a level of schooling where a double bridle and the associated refinement is appropriate.

if the horse isn't ready for a double, then either go in a snaffle or don't go. definitely get some lessons beforehand and get some training in how to ride in a double bridle - it's not just the matter of holding an extra pair of reins, there' a lot more ot it than that.

[LouiseEdwards]

you could also use a rugby pelham, if you don't want your horse to have too much in his mouth.

[Tina&Dale]

The best explanation I have read is on this website...

http://www.kahlin.net/noir/dressyr/tack/bridle.php

[Kanuma]

i found that stan went so much better when i swapped to a pelham from a snaffle, (he cant have a double his tounge is too big!!!

[Yann]

Originally posted by Tiggerrrr
The difference is, a pelham is more harsh compared to a double combination, as it is one bit and two reins leading from this, so it is constant pressure and pole action.

Surely there will only be constant pressure if the rider applies it, I don't see what the difference is, surely one bit rather than two is milder?

[Tina&Dale]

Originally posted by Yann
Surely there will only be constant pressure if the rider applies it, I don't see what the difference is, surely one bit rather than two is milder?

You're right, if a rider applies constant pressure to the curb bit than there will be a force action on the horses poll. However, if a rider chooses to let this rein loose, then there is no rider imposed force at all.

In a pelham bit the bridoon and curb bit have effectively been combined. The idea that there is a constant pressure exerted comes from the fact that, because the rings which takes the bridoon reins are positioned bellow the two lever-arms and are a part of the curb bit, whenever a rider applies pressure to these reins there will be residual force placed on the poll.. Obviously, the amount of pressure on the poll will be controlled by the amount of pull on the reins.

I personally think that double bits are easier to use, because the bridoon bit and the curb bit are seperate. The rider can almost completely disengage the action of the curb. I say almost completely because the pull of gravity on floppy reins can be quite abrupt and so I keep a light contact at all times to avoid this jerking.

Also, a rider can still get isolated action on both sides of the horses mouth because the jointed bridoon allows for this... I have heard of a jointed pelham but I don't think they've been used for quite some years now!

The bridoon and curb may seem like a lot of metal, but if you choose the right kind of curb bit and a thin bridoon, than it shouldn't be uncomfortable for your horse. Like anything new though, your horse will have to get used to it.

[prettyQhorse]

i hav a jointed pelham!!!!! we hav a couple actually, Mr B prefers it to the straight bar :)

[Kanuma]

Tina&dale jointed pelhams are normal round here so i dont know what is happening around you!!!
stan has not physicaly got room in his mouth for 2 bits no matter how thin they are his toungue is enormous and even my rideing instructor (who hates pelhams with avengance)has said that he wont be able to take a double so for schooling he is in a hanging cheek snaffle and a slightly ported pelham for shows!! also remember the thiner the bit the more harsh it is! i am also in a similar position for my arab, altough we can get one in his mouth it is not comfortable for him to wear one, however for him it is not a problem as he has only just got to the stage where he needs one! i currently have my 14hh SHP in a double but i find it easier to ride in a pelham and little riders can do less damage with one (always a big concern when dealing with 12.2hh show ponies)

[Tina&Dale]

Oh! I live in a small city in Australia and I don't know of anyone that rides in one here! I think the general trend in Australia is to use a straight bar pelham or curb bit. I've been into a number of saddlery stores around the country and not one has even stocked a jointed pelham!

It's amazing how riding can be so different depending on where you live! :D The jointed pelham thing being a perfect example!

As for thin bits being harsher than the thicker ones... I think this is one of those two sided issues! I personally think that thinner bits are a lot kinder than the thicker ones! However, in general I think the thickness of the bit has little to do with the "harshness", rather I think it has to do with the rider's use of it.

[Kanuma]

Tina i agree that the riders hands play a part in how harsh the bit is, but thiner bits are harsher then thick ones as the pressure in thin bits is spread over a smaller area, is like when someone stands on your foot in trainers it doesnt hurt that much but if they did the same in stilletos you would know all about it!! (seee all point and stare Alevel physics person here!)

[Tina&Dale]

Originally posted by Kanuma
Tina i agree that the riders hands play a part in how harsh the bit is, but thiner bits are harsher then thick ones as the pressure in thin bits is spread over a smaller area, is like when someone stands on your foot in trainers it doesnt hurt that much but if they did the same in stilletos you would know all about it!! (seee all point and stare Alevel physics person here!)

That's why I say it's relative to the riders contact. I can't and don't disagree with your explanation, but I think it's wrong to say that a thicker bit is kinder than a thinner one. It's just that one requires less effort to exert a similar pressure on the horses mouth.

That's not really what I want to say, but I don't know how to put it... Hmm...

Anyway, I guess it comes back to that continental divide as to which side you agree with! :D

[Mehitabel]

i think perhaps milder is a less loaded word to use than kinder. i do agree that a thick bit is *milder* - but not necessarily kinder. it's be terribly unkind on my girl to put a fat bit in her mouth as she'd have to keep it open all the time with her fat native tongue and low palate.
milder isn't always the kindest option.

we have a variety of jointed pelhams here - they come in single jointed, french link, waterford - but the joints do change the curb action dramatically.

[Kanuma]

ES sorry i did mean milder rather than kinder

[Janette]

For us, thinner is better as well. Much happier in a thin unjointed snaffle, than a fatter training snaffle, because it takes up less space, and needs less force to communicate. a squeeze now has the same effect as a pull used to. Got to be better.

[Kanuma]

yep thiner can be better if youve got good hands!!! if you havent it is nicer for the horse to have a thicker one

[Nicole5310]

Jointed bits with curb action are severely frowned apon in NZ in most disciplines (I cant speak for all) You tend to get a horrible twisting action and regardless of hands seems much too severe.

[Kanuma]

overhere in the uk they are the norm, and you can get some that dont twst, also if your rein pressure is perfectly even then even the bad ones shouldnt twist! again it all comes down to how good the riders hands are!