Best ways and advise on introducing horse to a double bridle?

[nikCscott]

I'm hoping to do some showing with my boy in the summer in Hack classes and I eventually would like to do some side saddle with him and understand that a double is correct in both instances.

I'm in no rush, but thought I at least start thinking about introducing the double and how I should do it...

Any advise?

He's currently in a happy mouth eggbut, he's very soft mouthed and has amazing self carriage and I'm worried it maybe too severe and affect his way of going

Should add I have ridden in a double before but only on a someone else's horse i used to ride- but that was a while ago....

 

[mrogers]

you can always go for a pelham!

When i started using a double in my mare, i started by hacking her out in it for a week or so, just for her to get used to the feel. I then started schooling, not asking too much from her for another week or so and then worked her properly in it. She was very fussy to start with and backed off alot but eventually she went better in it than any other bit.

The thing I would work on the most isnt the biting but the schooling. Hacks are meant to be push button and can be expected to do walk to canter and reinback. At the top end they are ridden 1 handed to show their self carriage and balance