Double Bridle

Double bridle Also called the full bridle or Weymouth bridle, is a piece of horse tack. The bridle is used with two bits and two reins. One rein, the bradoon, is a modified snaffle bit, and it sits above and behind the other bit used in a double bridle, the curb bit.

When the Double Bridle is Used

Double bridles are fairly common for showing purposes in the United Kingdom and Australia, for hunters, but are very rarely seen at shows in the United States, except when used in Saddle seat or upper level Dressage competition. Additionally, ladies riding side saddle traditionally use a double bridle.

Double bridles are most commonly associated with dressage. They are required for the FEI dressage tests (PSG, Intermediate Level, and Grand Prix), and are optional at the USDF third and fourth level, to be used by horses and riders who are ready for the step up. They are also permitted in the dressage phase of eventing, at the Intermediate or Advanced levels, although not required. In eventing, even at the advanced level, snaffle bridles are still the norm.

Although rare, double bridles are occasionally used by jumper riders, and eventers in the stadium and cross-country phases. Riders today, especially juniors and amateurs who are more prone to mistakes than professionals, tend to prefer the snaffle bridle for basic work, as it will not have the same negative impact on the horse as the double bridle, should they do something wrong. However, many hot horses go much better in a double bridle, and it can also be helpful on rearers.

Lastly, the double bridle is still seen used by cavalry and police horses.

History of the Double Bridle

Double bridles, originally called "full bridles", were much more common several hundred years ago. They were considered the "proper" equipment for a trained rider and horse, while a simple snaffle bridle was only for green horses and riders, young children, grooms, and poor riders. The double bridle may commonly be seen in old paintings of hunt scenes, used by the well-trained gentry as they rode cross-country. Double bridles also used to be quite commonly used on show hunters in the United States, but that trend has waned with most now using a snaffle.

Although most riders today tend to employ the bradoon for the majority of aiding, historically the accomplished rider would "ride on the curb". Riding on the curb was a demonstration that both horse and rider had been highly trained, and that the rider had very good control of his rein aids and was able to ride the horse mainly from the seat. The rider would keep a modest contact with the curb bit to regulate collection and only engage the bradoon bit to occasionally reinforce leg and seat aids for impulsion and direction if those aids failed to achieve their effect. With a supremely trained horse and rider, they would ride on the curb only, placing both reins in one hand and carrying the whip upright in the other. Today, the tradition of riding on the curb is preserved almost exclusively by classical and advanced military riders, and it is possible to see such performances at the Spanish Riding School.

The double bridle used to be used frequently by fox hunters, as they could employ the bradoon at the beginning of the hunt, and then use the curb if the horse became excessively excited and forward as the hunt continued. Additionally, it allowed lady riders to ride hotter horses, with the option of using the curb rein if the horse began to pull to much, but without having to rely solely on that bit, which could cause the horse to become nervous. Fox hunters also commonly rode with a running martingale attached to the curb rein. Today this practice is relatively non-existent, partly because the double bridle is only common in equestrian disciplines that usually do not use a running martingale (dressage). However, if a running martingale is used on the curb, it is extremely important to use rein stops, as the martingale ring is sometimes larger that the ring on the curb, and can get caught on the bit with potentially disastrous consequences.

Many eventers also used to ride with the double bridle when going cross-country on exceptionally high-strung horses. However, this practice has fallen out of favor, with most riders preferring the pelham instead, which is less harsh should the rider accidentally make a mistake. Additionally, the pelham could be used with bit converters, which allowed for one rein and made the bit much easier to handle.

Adjustment and parts of the double bridle

The double bridle differs from the usual snaffle bridle in that is consists of 2 reins attached to two separate bits: a bradoon (also spelled "bridoon") and a curb bit. The curb bit hangs down from the headstall, and the bradoon from a narrow piece of leather known as a "bradoon hanger" or a "slip head."

A bradoon bit is a loose-ring, or rarely an egg butt or baucher, snaffle bit designed specifically for use in the double bridle. The rings are smaller in diameter (maximum 8 centimeters) than a regular snaffle bit, and for USDF competition, the mouthpiece must be at least 3/8" in diameter when used on a horse. It is especially important to choose a bradoon that is the correct width. A bradoon that is too wide may get caught on the port of the curb bit and push the bradoon's joint upward into the upper palate, and one that is too narrow will pinch the horse's skin against his molars. Both cases are painful and should be avoided.

The curb bit, or Weymouth, consists of a mouthpiece with shanks and a curb chain. In USDF competition, the lower shank may be no longer than 10 cm (about 4") in length. With a sliding mouthpiece, this measurement is taken when the mouthpiece is at its highest point. The width of the curb bit is also important: a curb that is too narrow will cause the shanks to pinch the lips, one that is too wide will cause the lips to be pinched between the curb and the curb chain. The upper shank should bend slightly outward, to prevent it from pinching when the reins are pulled. The severity of the curb is determined by several factors: longer shanks are considered more severe, as are tighter or thinner curb chains and higher ports. For more information on the action, adjustment, and severity of the curb, see curb bit and curb chain.

The bradoon always lies higher in the horse's mouth than the curb bit used in the double bridle, and is placed above the curb chain. Some riders like to place the bradoon a bit higher that they would a snaffle, because it is less likely to get caught on the curb. In general, both bits are chosen to be slightly thinner. Although this increases their severity, most horses perfer thinner bits because it allows for more room for their tongue, which can be uncomfortably cramped with two thick bits sharing the space.

The bradoon rein should be wider than the rein used on the curb bit and should be a bit more grippy (laced or rubber reins are popular), while the curb rein is thinner and smooth. This makes it easy for the rider to distinguish the two by feel. The extra grip provided by the snaffle rein also helps prevent the horse from pulling it through the rider's hands, which would make the curb rein shorter in comparison and encourage the rider to over-use the curb rein.

When using a double bridle, a plain cavesson or a crank noseband is always used in dressage. The noseband should not be too wide, as it may cause the skin and lip to pinch between it and the bradoon. Many riders use a padded crownpiece, because the curb places pressure on the poll.

Using the double bridle

Action of the double bridle

The bradoon bit works like a snaffle, placing pressure on the lips and tongue, and to some extent the bars of the mouth. A popular misconception in the United States is that the bradoon is used to raise the head and turn, while the curb is used to lower the head and stop. In reality, the bradoon is used to regulate horizontal flexion (bending the horse left and right) and impulsion (faster and slower). Any action that is meant to place pressure on one side of the mouth must be performed with the bradoon, because the curb is designed in such a way that a pull on one rein will produce equal pressure across the tongue and bars, unless it is extremely harsh. Additionally, use of only one rein of the curb causes the bit to twist in the mouth and the chain to pinch.

In modern times, most riders employing the double bridle "ride on the bradoon". In other words, they keep a steady contact with the bradoon bit and only engage the curb bit to when necessary to encourage the horse to collect. As a result, the bradoon rein keeps slightly more pressure, and the curb rein, although in contact, is much softer. In competition, total loss of rein contact of the curb (which will result in the rein being bowed) will cause a severe deduction from the rider's score. To ride mainly from the bradoon while still keeping a soft contact on the curb, the rider must have steady, soft hands and a correct hand position. To activate the bradoon separately from the curb, if the rider is using the most common rein holds (described below), the rider simply rotates the lower fingers into the hand and slightly upward, which will tighten pressure on the bradoon. The upper part of the hand, where the curb is held, remains in the same point in space and acts as a pivot, so that the pressure on the curb does not change.

The curb bit places pressure on the bars, the palate (especially if the port of the curb bit is fairly large), and via the curb chain, the poll and chin groove. It is used to regulate vertical flexion (cresting the neck and collecting the body through an arched spine), and the poll pressure asks the horse to lower the poll and telescope the neck to raise the base of the neck. If the horse tries to push his nose outward without the rider oftening, the curb reins will automatically come into play and tighten, asking the horse to flex. If the horse stiffens, adding slight poll and tongue pressure with the curb can ask him to relax at the poll.

A rider may increase pressure on the curb alone by lifting their hands forward and upward. The hands remain the same distance from the bradoon because they move around a circle that is a radius equal to that of the bradoon rein. Therefore the action of the bradoon does not come into play. However, because the curb rein is several inches below the bradoon, raising the hands pull upward on the bit and engages the shank.

Dangers of misuse

Riders must be skilled before attempting to use the double bridle, and the horse should be far enough along in his training that the double bridle would be accepted and understood. It is a refined piece of equipment that can greatly enhance the riding in good hands, or destroy the animal's training and mouth in bad. Because it uses two bits, it has a much greater chance of damaging the horse's mouth if used incorrectly.

The rider must have an independent seat and soft hands to handle the double bridle correctly. Additionally, they should be able to keep their horse moving uphill with elevated shoulders, or else activating the curb will cause him to hollow, fall onto the forehand, and flex incorrectly at the 3rd vertebra rather than the poll. The rider must also take care to determine if a double bridle is proper for the individual horse's training and temperament. Certain sensitive horses will do better if kept in a snaffle for a longer period of time. Horses that tend to be lazy or behind their rider's leg will also become more so if ridden in double bridle before they are consistently forward.

Overuse of the curb will cause the horse to go behind the bit, open his mouth, draw his tongue back in his mouth to escape the pressure, or damage the tongue.

Holding the reins

When first learning to use the double bridle, it can be helpful to gain experience holding and manipulating two reins without actually using the more severe curb. To do so, the rider may place two reins on the snaffle. A very skilled rider may also use draw reins, as these produce an feel that is closer to that of the curb, but most riders do not do so because draw reins have serious side-effects if used incorrectly.

There are several types of rein holds which offer various degrees of action between both bits.

Military rein hold

The traditional cavalry hold has the rider place all four reins in the left hand; in this way, the right hand is left free to hold a sword, lance, or other weapon. The precise order of reins has varied from era to era, from country to country, and to suit specific circumstances of battle or pageantry. In every case, a great deal of precise control is needed to selectively engage the bradoon or curb independently. Less schooled troopers may ride while engaging only a single pair of reins for one bit, and allowing the reins for the second bit to bow and thereby apply only the passive effect of gravity on that bit.

"2 to 2" rein holds, with more pressure on the bradoon

"2 to 2 holds" involve the rider holding two reins in each hand. The two most commonly used in the United States allow for softer use of the curb rein. In one such hold, the rider holds the bradoon rein under the fourth finger (pinkie), and the curb between the third and fourth finger, the second in which the bradoon is held between the third (ring) and fourth finger, and the curb between the second and third fingers. The latter is in some ways preferable, because the rider continues to hold the snaffle rein in between the ring finger and pinkie, as he has since first beginning to ride, and so will already have the feel developed for that use. Additionally, pressure from the bradoon rein pushing on the underside of the pinkie can encourage riders to raise their hands, because it will feel as if there is not longer a perfectly straight line from elbow to bit. In either case, the reins cross one another, the rider should be sure that the curb rein crosses under the bradoon when the horse is viewed from the side, so that it is closer to the neck. Both these holds allow for the rider to flex his hand and apply slightly more contact to the bradoon than to the curb, allowing it to be softer.

"2 to 2" rein holds, with more pressure on the curb

There are several rein holds which increase the ratio of curb to bradoon pressure. In all these cases, the curb rein is held lower down in the hand than the bradoon, so that the two reins do not cross when the horse is viewed from the side. As the distance increases between where the two reins insert into the hand, the curb reins becomes more and more prominent when rein pressure is applied. This is because the curb has greater action when the lower part of the hand is flexed back. This hold is usually used if the horse is especially hard-mouthed. It should only be applied by riders with exceptionally soft hands who have a good foundation in using the double bridle.

Two of the mild forms of this type of hold involve the curb rein either under the fourth finger, or between the fourth and third finger, while holding the bradoon between the second and third fingers.

The most extreme form of this is called the "Fillis Hold", named after James Fillis. It involves the curb rein being held under the pinkie, and the bradoon rein held like a driving rein, between the thumb and first finger. The two reins therefore insert into the hand as far away as they possibly could. Therefore, either rein can be used without the influence of the other, simply by rotating the lower or upper part of the hand back. This hold is commonly seen used (correctly) by the dressage rider Philipe Karl. However, when used incorrectly, which can be extremely easy to do even by excellent riders, it causes the horse to flex at the 3rd vertebra instead of the poll, a major fault. "3 to 1" rein hold

In the 3 to 1 rein hold, one hand (historically, the left hand) holds three reins and the other only one rein. The three-rein hand controls both curb reins and the bradoon rein which belongs to that side, and the other hand simply holds the other bradoon rein. The right hand holds the bradoon as it would normally hold a snaffle (between the third and fourth fingers). The left hand holds the left bradoon rein below the fourth finger (pinkie), the left hand curb rein between the third and fourth fingers, and the right hand curb between the second and third fingers. This hold has several important consequences: it decreases the action of the curb, it prevents the rider from riding with their hands too wide or performing an overzealous opening rein with their left hand, and it shows when the horse is not properly straight, because the rider can no longer make the rein pressure on one side of the mouth any stronger than the other, since reins from both sides are held in the left hand. The 3 to 1 rein hold is used while training, rather than competition.