advice about double bridles

[black_horse]

my horse is now 7 years old and is starting to start the more collected and complicated work. she is well established at novice, but can be a bit of a baby in the ring. she is however,going to be campaigned at medium soon as she finds prelim/novice/elementary too simple for her (pony is a snob!

). i would like to start to break her into a double bridle. i need hints, tips and advice on makes/types/bits/how to introduce etc. do you think this is a good idea or am i jumping the gun?

 

[carthorse]

Depends on the horse , alot of ad med and P St,G horses were in snaffles at the regionals and we have been told that we are not going forward enough yet and there is definately no rush . It may hide a couple of problems but these problems will still be there and it should only be used to refine the aids. Too many people are desperate to get their horses into doubles but that is just my opinion. If you have a very forward strong horse then ok but if your horse backs off a bit in a snaffle then wait .

 

[black_horse]

the reasoning behind this is the horse i think will benefit from it, im not saying ill ride of the curb alone, but that it will sit there for the horse to respect and listen to. i think she will concentrate more.

 

[Governor]

Personally I don't see the requirement to 'break' a horse to a double bridle. If they are suitably schooled and it is in the right hands it won't be a big shock.

Just remember to consider mouth conformation. I'm a big fan of NS bits. FWIW i've used a combo of Mors Lotte weymouth (thinner) and NS Team up bradoon and like the feel of both bits but it entirely depends on the mouth they are in.

Why exactly do you want the curb?

 

[black_horse]

its for more gentle schooling than the fact 'omg im in a double!' i think my horse will suit the more subtle changes in schooling which will benefit her more in the long term. breaking into a double, i couldnt find the word i wanted :S