double bridles, to use or not to use??

[equestrian3241]

My horse splash and I are doing dressage and he is doing wonderfully. He can do flying changes every other stide, all kinds of lateral movements and he looks great while doing them. Right now he is in a kimberwick bit and at my last lesson, my RI mentioned a double bridle. My question is, what do they do and when should I start using one? I know I might need one the further we go and the more we climb up the levels in dressage but when should I start? Any advice would be great!

[star]

well you cant do dressage in a kimblewick, but i wouldn't jump into using a double. horse needs to go in a snaffle of some sort first. doubles aren't compulsory till Advanced, so i would concentrate on getting him in a snaffle assuming you intend to compete him at some stage.

[Tangle]

What country are you in? The rules as to what bits/bridles you can use for what level vary depending on what country you are in.

Here are the rules (http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/_documents/rules_EquipmentandDress.pdf) relating to equipment and dress for British Dressage. If you compete at novice or prelim, you MUST use a single (snaffle) bridle, but for anything between there and elementary you can use either a single or double.

A double bridle has two bits - a bridoon (which is a narrow snaffle) and a curb. Each bit has it's own rein allowing you to separate the action of the two bits.

Your RI might be suggesting using a double if your horse responds well to curb action and not so well to a simple snaffle. However, I'd have thought it would be a good precursor to get your horse responding to a snaffle before moving up to a double - best bet is to ask your RI whether they're thinking of a double now and, if so, why :)

[Luv 2 Trot]

In the US, the double bridle is introduced in 3rd or 4th level. They should be ridden by an experienced rider that knows how to use them until the horse is accustomed to them.

[CMR]

I am one of those people with the thinking of 'Less is More.' I understand how in the upper levels of Dressage a double bridle can be neccessary for more subtle cues(although I've seen Linda Parelli do some amazing Dressage moves on her horse bridleless), but I personally will never use one just because I can.

Yes, if my horse and I ever get to 3rd level or higher Dressage(Yea right :p ) then I'll end up using one, but I certainly won't use it often.

Take a look at your goals, what level you are competing at(if you are competing), and if you really need it. Unless you are competing where it is required to use a double bridle, you're probably better off without it.(The second rein is just a hassle anyway :p )