Double bits for a tiny mouthed warmblood?

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ginatina

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My gelding's mouth is so small, even a snaffle looks snug!

I am training him in more advanced work now, and would love to explore the extra balancing aid of the kerb rein, but have no idea how I'll fit two bits in his mouth comfortably!

Can anyone recommend bits i could try? Or any advice for small-mouthed neddies!?!
 
If he hasn't worn a double before at all, I'd recommend getting in touch with one of the bit banks so you can trial some. Some of the NS weymouths are quite thin and they have some interesting designs available, but you really need to ride in one for a few weeks to form a judgement. If you can borrow a standard thin ported curb off someone that's also worth a try, sometimes simple is best :)

What is your snaffle at the moment? is it already quite thin or do you have a big chunky bit? I use thinner versions of their normal snaffles for my bridoons.

Bear in mind that the 2 bits sit differently in the mouth so it's not like you have them literally jammed in together. and you can also play around a little with the spacing of them. My old girl had the weymouth quite low in her mouth, it's just how she preferred it, though it wasn't fitted by the book.
 
milliepops said:
If he hasn't worn a double before at all, I'd recommend getting in touch with one of the bit banks so you can trial some. Some of the NS weymouths are quite thin and they have some interesting designs available, but you really need to ride in one for a few weeks to form a judgement. If you can borrow a standard thin ported curb off someone that's also worth a try, sometimes simple is best :)

What is your snaffle at the moment? is it already quite thin or do you have a big chunky bit? I use thinner versions of their normal snaffles for my bridoons.

Bear in mind that the 2 bits sit differently in the mouth so it's not like you have them literally jammed in together. and you can also play around a little with the spacing of them. My old girl had the weymouth quite low in her mouth, it's just how she preferred it, though it wasn't fitted by the book.
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Thank you, that's really helpful

I will try the bit banks and see what's out there

Our current snaffle is reasonably slim, but we could probably do better
 
have a look and see, but remember that you will be mainly riding on the snaffle rein so it still needs to be something that he finds comfortable and inviting. it may be that what you have already will be fine and you just need to get the right shaped curb. Luckily these days there are all sorts, I have one in a wide arched curb at the moment, old girl had a backward tilted one, there is lots to choose from. I'd just say to make sure you give things a fair trial cos everything will seem odd to him to begin with anyway, and see if you can get your instructor or trainer to have a look too :)
 
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Agree with everything MP has said and just one more suggestion. I had a bitting person out to look at my horse, who was quite challenging to bit he also had a very small lower jaw but was also very fleshy in his mouth with a huge tongue. I found her advice really helpful, look at the Bit Fit website for more info.
 
If you have never fitted or ridden in a double bridle before, perhaps it would be useful if you had some help from an instructor? Whilst, if the training has been correct, there is usually no negative reaction from the horse it can be difficult for the rider to get used to separating the different uses of the two reins.

There are so many variations of both bridoon and curb bits available, I'm sure you can find something to suit your horse's mouth conformation.
 
Fig is only just a 5". It really does come down to what the horse prefers. Some of them like the feel of a thick mouthpiece despite a teacup mouth etc.

He's currently in a myler 33 loose ring snaffle and AB hartwell ported curb.
 
I am currently looking at Weymouths for one of my Arabs he has a sensitive shallow mouth so not a huge amount of room, I have ordered a Tom Thumb Weymouth they are smaller and look neater than most Weymouths they are used a lot on show ponies, might be worth trying one of those.
 
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