Double bridle with a gag?

[Snowfilly]

I brought a load of old hunting tack the other day and found a made up Weymouth bridle with a mullen mouth curb (7” shanks!) and a narrow jointed loose ring gag being used as the bradoon, on nice leather cheeks.

Aside from stopping anything on four legs, was this likely to have been her own idea for a particular horse or a known set up? It’s not something I’ve seen before.

(Don’t worry, I’m not using it)

 

[Birker2020]

I have no idea but it's a short cut to correct schooling IMHO.
And quite sad.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Not something I've come across as a pairing, but potentially used as a last resort from a rider.

 

[[153312]]

blimey. that would stop a freight train.

 

[Cortez]

That’s a polo rig, if used by someone who understands what it’s for, and is competent to use it, it’s kind of a super-version of the double action of the two bits. Not for casual use, shall we say.

*and it wouldn’t necessarily “stop a freight train” either.

 

[Snowfilly]

That’s a polo rig, if used by someone who understands what it’s for, and is competent to use it, it’s kind of a super-version of the double action of the two bits. Not for casual use, shall we say.

*and it wouldn’t necessarily “stop a freight train” either.

Oh that’s cool! I have no idea about polo gear, would explain why I haven’t seen it before.

I bet she could have used it too, she used to hunt, deal and break from what I gathered from her family.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Some of the bits/mouthpieces used in the show ring would have you in tears. Absolutely shocking what they get away with.

But the bridle you have does indeed sound like a polo pony set up.

 

[Snowfilly]

Some of the bits/mouthpieces used in the show ring would have you in tears. Absolutely shocking what they get away with.

But the bridle you have does indeed sound like a polo pony set up.

I ended up with a Y mouth / double mouth rugby pelham once that had both mouthpieces twisted and incredibly thin. The action on it was awful if you put it against your hand and pulled back.

I hacksawed a ring off to make sure it didn’t get used again and sold it to a collector. Barbaric thing.

 

[Cortez]

I ended up with a Y mouth / double mouth rugby pelham once that had both mouthpieces twisted and incredibly thin. The action on it was awful if you put it against your hand and pulled back.

I hacksawed a ring off to make sure it didn’t get used again and sold it to a collector. Barbaric thing.

A wire W mouthpiece is indeed a nasty bit of kit. There are some horrific bits out there, many of them used in American saddleseat and TWH classes - I've seen bicycle chain mouthpieces, chains, sharp rollers, you name it. We really are a nastily inventive species.

 

[[153312]]

That’s a polo rig, if used by someone who understands what it’s for, and is competent to use it, it’s kind of a super-version of the double action of the two bits. Not for casual use, shall we say.

*and it wouldn’t necessarily “stop a freight train” either.

Cortez, can you elaborate a bit on what it's for/how it works please? Fearing my comment was ignorant. (well, actually, it was lol but I'd like to be educated please.)

 

[Lois Lame]

I ended up with a Y mouth / double mouth rugby pelham once that had both mouthpieces twisted and incredibly thin. The action on it was awful if you put it against your hand and pulled back.

I hacksawed a ring off to make sure it didn’t get used again and sold it to a collector. Barbaric thing.

I loath those twisted bits.

That’s a polo rig, if used by someone who understands what it’s for, and is competent to use it, it’s kind of a super-version of the double action of the two bits. Not for casual use, shall we say.

There should be a 'that's interesting' button. Like AFishOutOfWater, I'd be interested too in learning more here.

 

[Cortez]

Cortez, can you elaborate a bit on what it's for/how it works please? Fearing my comment was ignorant. (well, actually, it was lol but I'd like to be educated please.)

Well, there’s theory, and then there’s what actually happens of course…If you understand the basic principles of the double bridle, which incorporates the lifting action of the snaffle and the lowering action of the curb, and then supercharge the lifting part with a gag you have a bridle that is going to work if you have a horse that tends to plough the head down when you use the reins - not something you want in the heat of a polo match, or anything that requires an instant response.

 

[[153312]]

So in effective is the aim to hold the horse in balance between the action of the two so it's poised to react very quickly to subtle hand/rein aids?

 

[Cortez]

So in effective is the aim to hold the horse in balance between the action of the two so it's poised to react very quickly to subtle hand/rein aids?

A little more than that, if using the double bridle for it’s intended purpose, which is to position the head and neck in the optimum place to allow the energy of the horse - the collection, the balance and power - to flow from the hind legs over the back. In the polo sense it’s to keep the horse’s head up and get it to respond instantly to both speed and direction instructions.

 

[[153312]]

ahhh like holding a coiled spring in check i suppose. Thank you, put like that it makes a lot of sense. Still wouldn't like it see if it the wrong hands though.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

A wire W mouthpiece is indeed a nasty bit of kit. There are some horrific bits out there, many of them used in American saddleseat and TWH classes - I've seen bicycle chain mouthpieces, chains, sharp rollers, you name it. We really are a nastily inventive species.

I saw someone the other day asking where they could buy this bit on a saddleseat Facebook group that was brought up for some reason... (I certainly wouldn't every follow one - horrid 'sport')
IMO anyone who thinks this should go anywhere near an animal should be beat to death with it.