How Do I Fit A Double Bridle Correctly?
Dressage riders who want to compete at higher levels will likely have to use a double bridle at some point, or at the very least, understand how to utilize one properly. This article aims to help you select and adjust the bits correctly for a smooth transition to the double bridle.
When you decide to ride with a double bridle, both horse and rider should already meet certain prerequisites, as the double bridle is designed to refine the aids and test the rider’s skills at the same time. Due to the soft hand and finesse required to safely and correctly use a double bridle setup, we recommend it only for experienced riders & horses.
What Should Horse and Rider Already Have in Place?
- An independent, balanced seat that doesn’t rely on the reins
- A soft, steady hand with coordinated pressure
- Proper use of aids
- Calm, relaxed contact with the snaffle bit
- A balanced horse that carries itself
- A good response to leg, weight, and rein aids
- Early signs of willingness to collect and impulsion
Setting Up the Double Bridle
Most of you are likely familiar with how a double bridle is constructed, but here's a quick overview for clarity. In dressage, the double bridle always consists of a Weymouth bit and a snaffle bit, used with two sets of reins. The rider primarily communicates with the snaffle, while the double bridle rein refines the aids.
The bradoon is a single- or double-jointed mouthpiece and is used with the main reins. It applies pressure to the horse’s tongue in a similar way as a regular snaffle bit. You can find more information about different mouthpieces and their effects here.
The Weymouth is used alongside the bradoon and consists of a mullen mouth, side pieces with upper and lower shanks, and a curb chain. The cheek piece of the double bridle attaches to the upper shank ring, and the curb chain hooks are also connected there. The double bridle reins are buckled into rings at the bottom of the lower shank.
When the reins are taken up, the upper and lower shanks rotate around the mouthpiece, creating a leverage effect that applies pressure to the poll. The ratio between the upper and lower cheek pieces, as well as the length of the lower shank, determines the strength of this leverage. Standard lower shank lengths are 5 cm and 7 cm. A shorter shank, sometimes called a “baby Weymouth,” reacts quicker, but it exerts less leverage on the poll than a longer shank.
The curb chain is attached to hooks on the upper cheek. The links should be facing out and resting flat against the lower jaw. When properly buckled, the chain forms an angle of 30°-45° between the lower shank and the lips, which limits pressure on the poll. As you take up the double bridle reins, the sidepieces of the Weymouth rotate until the curb chain engages.
Which Bit Is Right for My Horse?
Fitting and Selecting Weymouth and Bradoon Bits
To ensure a successful transition to the double bridle, it’s crucial to understand how to properly fit the bits. One common misconception is that “the bradoon should be larger than the Weymouth.” While this is true in theory, the wording can be misleading. Many riders choose bits that are too large, which then get fitted too high, leading to a series of problems.
So, what’s the right approach? Use the same shape and width of bradoon as your everyday snaffle bit (as long as your horse is comfortable with it). The bit should sit in the same position in the horse’s mouth, with a 1-2 finger gap between the bit and the first molar. This prevents the bit from making contact with the teeth when the reins are taken up. The only difference between a bradoon and a regular snaffle is the ring size and the smaller thickness (typically 12-14mm) to create more space.
Since the Weymouth sits further down in the horse’s mouth, which is a narrower area, it should be 0.5-1 cm smaller than the bradoon. The side pieces of the Weymouth should sit snugly against the sides of the mouth without pinching, preventing the bit from tilting or sliding.
The bit’s thickness should depend on the available space in the horse’s mouth. For small mouths, the thickness should never exceed 16mm. In Germany, a typical combination is a 14mm bradoon and a 16mm Weymouth. For horses with particularly delicate mouths, a 14mm Weymouth is recommended.
Lack of Space in the Horse's Mouth
The biggest challenge in fitting the double bridle is accommodating the space available in the horse’s mouth. Since the double bridle uses two bits, they must not touch each other or the molars and canines. If the gap between the teeth is short, or the mouth is narrow, the bits must be selected and adjusted very carefully.
Which Weymouth Should I Choose?
There are several types of Weymouth bits and bridles to choose from. You can find more detailed information on each product page or reach out to our customer service team for assistance. When selecting a Weymouth and bradoon, the horse’s mouth anatomy should be considered. Common problems include short mouth gaps and limited space between the canines and molars. In these cases, the two bits will sit close together, so it’s important to choose bits that won’t touch each other.
Weymouths with a slightly curved mullen mouth and a forward-tilted port are ideal in these situations. These types create more space for the bradoon. Additionally, anatomically shaped bradoons, like the Loose Ring Dynamic RS bradoon, provide more space for the Weymouth compared to straight mouthpieces.
Horses with a fleshy tongue or who dislike pressure on the tongue tend to perform better with Weymouths that have a higher and wider port. The Bemelmans Weymouth is a good example of this design.
For stronger horses, a straight mullen mouth may be better, as it helps with pushing off the bit, creating a finer connection. There are also Weymouths with different degrees of ports available.
The Sprenger HO Weymouth is particularly well-suited for sensitive horses or double bridle beginners. Its slightly forward-tilting port offers more space in the horse’s mouth, while the slight rise of the mouthpiece away from the sidepiece relieves pressure on the tongue edges and ensures the bit is more comfortable for the horse.
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