tobiano1984
Well-Known Member
I will soon be shopping for a double bridle for my cob, and wondered if anyone can help with recommendations for bits as there is SO much choice..! Although I've ridden plenty of horses in doubles, I've never used one on my own horse so have no idea what to get.
He's pretty easy going - soft, reactive mouth, never needed a flash or anything. His snaffle (which I use for schooling, jumping, hacking etc) is just a straight bar nathe, he's also been in a french link eggbutt but seems to prefer the straight mouthpiece. I also ride him in a low port Pelham for showing and he goes fantastically in it - in fact having a lesson with my classical trainer in the Pelham is what led us to looking at moving him up to a double. His work has improved unbelievably since using the pelham. I can't really describe it, but he was a bit heavy/on the forehand in a snaffle and not engaging properly, but with the Pelham (and I barely use the curb rein) his canter has improved massively, as has his collected and medium trot. He doesn't pull (I can do XC in the nathe and go galloping with other horses just fine) but he is a strong, big horse and knows it.
Being a cob he's got a big fat tongue, but otherwise no particular issues in his mouth - very relaxed sort. I'm thinking a low port weymouth just because the pelham suits him so well.
Any ideas to start off with? I've had a browse but the variety of mouthpieces/shank sizes/ring sizes etc was overwhelming!
He's pretty easy going - soft, reactive mouth, never needed a flash or anything. His snaffle (which I use for schooling, jumping, hacking etc) is just a straight bar nathe, he's also been in a french link eggbutt but seems to prefer the straight mouthpiece. I also ride him in a low port Pelham for showing and he goes fantastically in it - in fact having a lesson with my classical trainer in the Pelham is what led us to looking at moving him up to a double. His work has improved unbelievably since using the pelham. I can't really describe it, but he was a bit heavy/on the forehand in a snaffle and not engaging properly, but with the Pelham (and I barely use the curb rein) his canter has improved massively, as has his collected and medium trot. He doesn't pull (I can do XC in the nathe and go galloping with other horses just fine) but he is a strong, big horse and knows it.
Being a cob he's got a big fat tongue, but otherwise no particular issues in his mouth - very relaxed sort. I'm thinking a low port weymouth just because the pelham suits him so well.
Any ideas to start off with? I've had a browse but the variety of mouthpieces/shank sizes/ring sizes etc was overwhelming!
