Introducing a Double Bridle

[RachelEvent]

Hi, I was thinking of introducing Ferdie to the double bridle, as now competing at Elementary it is allowed to be used in BD competition.

Many of the horses I see at elementary are ridden in doubles (it seems to be around a 50/50 split)

Ferdie, although he goes well in a snaffle, is never desperately light to the contact, partly due to conformation. A trusted friend has suggested trying out her double bridle.

Any fitting tips? Riding tips?
I imagine that it is a similar sensation to riding in a pelham with two reins?

[Mehitabel]

i would say try it out hacking first, to let him get used to it with no pressure, and start off with very loose contact on the curb rein. then when he is used to the feel of the two bits and is happy going forward into a mainly snafle contact, then start schooling and asking questions.


i find it a very different feel to a pelham, and petal agrees, as she headbutts me in the nose whenever i have ridden in a pelham, but is happy in a double.
if you and he are used to pelhams, then it will probably be a fairly easy transition.

[RachelEvent]

I'm used to riding in a pelham with two reins from when I was showing a heavyweight cob. He's never been ridden in a curb bit however, save for a myler combination out hunting, but that was years ago.

May well try it out a little tonight after I've finished schooling.

[Mehitabel]

you should be OK then, in terms of gathering knitting and not getting reins mixed up - that'll make it easier.

fitting-wise, the snaffle needs to be slightly higher, and the curb slightly lower, than a single mouthpiece bit. this is a closeup of petal in hers which shows bit placement - you can see there is space between the two mouthpieces so the action of each is clear. while she has a low palate, she is roomy enough 'horizontally' for two bits, there is a reasonable gap between incisors and molars so there is space for them not to sit on top of each other. that is the conformation problem with double bits - back, not upwards in the mouth.

http://newrider.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20832&d=1116874248