Double Bridle

[qwerty]

Hi all!
I need any advice, tips, hints (anything) to do with a double bridle! Tacking up, riding with one...everything!
I have my first lesson with one on Wednesday and I want to prepare for it so I don't look like a TOTAL idiot!:p

[RingLass]

Hmm... I'm not sure if a double bridle like I use and the double bridle you use are the same type, but here goes ...

Put both bits in at the same time. I know this seems obvious, but I've known some riding students ... *sigh*
The curb chain should be snug against the horse's chin, but not so tight you can't unhook it.
Ride mainly off the snaffle rein- only use the curb to keep your horse's head tucked in. If , when you make a transition from a canter or trot to a walk, your horse dives foreward with his nose, you're using too much curb rein.

Um, that's about all I can think of :)

[qwerty]

Thanks!
Anyone else?

[Elfin]

In my Your Horse magazine it says to make sure that the curb chain is at a 45 degree angle to the curb bit??? I think thats right, but just check that it's at a 45 degree angle, that should be right!

[qwerty]

More Q's!
How should you hold the reins?
Can you still canter when using one?

[qwerty]

I found these 2 pics and can't see where the 45 degree angle should be!

http://www.equiresource.com/karlskorner/images/curb_re0.GIF

http://www.equiresource.com/karlskorner/images/curb_re1-1a.GIF

[Elfin]

When using a double bridle you can canter.:)

[Elfin]

The curb chain goes underneath the horses soft nose, from one side to the otther, you can't see it in those pictures!

[qwerty]

Thats OK! I love cantering! Freedom...well not quite when contained in a little school!

[qwerty]

The horse's mouth doesn't seem to shut properly...

http://www.angelfire.com/wy/tackshop/images/doublebridle.gif

Does it normaly do that?

[Elfin]

I think it should shut properly. well the horses mouth in the picture, his mouth is shut properly!

[qwerty]

Maybe it's me seeing things, or a shadow! It just looks like his mouth is slightly open!

[Elfin]

here is a picture I scanned of the 45 degree angle thing!

[qwerty]

Get ya! :p

[Elfin]

Thought I'd better show you the picture because I didn't explain it very well!:rolleyes:

[qwerty]

I still think that horse's mouth is open! :eek:

[Elfin]

Maybe it is then!:)

[qwerty]

Just looks like his lips don't meet!

[Elfin]

mmmm yes I see! Take a look at this picture! You can see the horses teeth!

[qwerty]

weird!

[RingLass]

If the bridle is properly adjusted and you aren't yanking in the horse's mouth, it should shut not just properly but stay shut most of the time. I use one every time I ride my 5-gaited geldings (well, almost every time. Not as much during off season as during show season.)

[HunterGirl]

I'm pretty sure the the seconed picture that was posted is an incorrect way of holding the reins, I have never seen that and have never been told to hold them that way.
I could be wrong anyone know for sure??

[qwerty]

I just checked and that 2nd pic is just another way to hold the reins. Apparantly you can play the bit off against the curb that way (whatever that means!)

[qwerty]

Almost forgot to say how my lesson went!
It wasn't as bad as I thought! Nina decided to put me on the toughest cob (Bounty) 'cos she knows I like a challenge! Next week I will be on a different horse (Jappy) so I can feel the difference when on the bit.
I had to hold the reins like none of the pics! Normal rein as normal and the 'curb' rein on the other side of you ring finger and middle finger.
I got to cheet though because it was hard enough with so many reins I got to have two whips, one in each hand so I didn't have to worry about swapping it over and could concentrate on my riding!
She was fighting me for a bit, refusing to move etc and throwing her head about but in the end we got there and I had her beautifuly on the bit. He head does go a little lower than most but being a very thick set cob he has a large neck and has to carry it that way!

I'm soooo proud of myself I can't wait for next week!:p :D ;)

[Elfin]

Well done! Thats brilliant!