First time in a double bridle, help needed

ellie_e

ellie_e

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So I have a lesson booked for next week, however wanted to get him in the double and have him happy before this.
Can you see where I'm going wrong, the curb chain looks bizarre, I saw a video on you tube which said the curb hooks should be forward? Is this right?
Also how much higher should the snaffle be compared to the Weymouth once the bits are in the mouth?
Do you have any pearls of wisdom to help horse and myself learn?

Here are some pics:
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I may be wrong but I thought the hooks were meant to be on the other side of the cheek pieces, so sort of the bottom half of the ring?

I again *think* the snaffle sits as normal with the curb in front, the snaffle should be on top of the curb in the horses mouth and the curb sit on the bars out of the way of any teeth...
 
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You have everything right EXCEPT the hooks - they need to be on the back of the eye, the round bit on top of the curb, and behind the cheekpiece.
 
JVB said:
I may be wrong but I thought the hooks were meant to be on the other side of the cheek pieces, so sort of the bottom half of the ring?

I again *think* the snaffle sits as normal with the curb in front, the snaffle should be on top of the curb in the horses mouth and the curb sit on the bars out of the way of any teeth...
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Yep, you just got the hook for the chain the wrong side of the cheek piece. Easily fixed!
 
The bits look ok to me, but the curb chain hook should be the other side of the headpiece so that the chain sits in the correct place. Just undo the billet and flip the hook over so it sits near the snaffle bit rings. I would also wait for the lesson before trying the bridle,when I introduce a double I ride on the snaffle rein only at first before introducing the curb rein.
 
Cortez said:
You have everything right EXCEPT the hooks - they need to be on the back of the eye, the round bit on top of the curb, and behind the cheekpiece.
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Well yes this is what I thought, it's how his Pelham is, however the video I watched earlier said the hooks should face forward??? :s the woman was American maybe that's why?! :rolleyes::D
 
rossiroo said:
The bits look ok to me, but the curb chain hook should be the other side of the headpiece so that the chain sits in the correct place. Just undo the billet and flip the hook over so it sits near the snaffle bit rings. I would also wait for the lesson before trying the bridle,when I introduce a double I ride on the snaffle rein only at first before introducing the curb rein.
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I walked him around earlier just on the snaffle, he seemed ok, he's managed to throw a shoe so didn't do any trot work anyway, what should I expect when we do trot? Any head throwing or not wanting to go forward?
 
It's difficult to say how a horse will react, nothing may happen at all ! but it is handy to have an experianced person about in case it does, sometimes they may tend to overbend and get behind the bit, or ' mouth' more than usual.
 
rossiroo said:
It's difficult to say how a horse will react, nothing may happen at all ! but it is handy to have an experianced person about in case it does, sometimes they may tend to overbend and get behind the bit, or ' mouth' more than usual.
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I guess every horse is different, but he was definitely mouthing more, is that good or bad?
 
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My horse made nothing of the double the first time she went in it so he might suprise you! Felt a bit like riding with the handbrake on that first time. But you and they get used to it pretty quickly IME
 
Agree that the hooks are the wrong way around, they should face backwards so you need to undo the weymouth from the bridle to do this.
Also, you need to pay attention to the curb chain. On the horse's right side you should attach the 3rd link of the chain to the hook then untwist the chain under the chin until it lies flat.

You need to ensure the chain has some tension and doesn't flop around as it is the chain that prevents the weymouth hitting the roof of the horse's mouth when it is engaged. Having it too loose is as bad as having it too tight.

On the left side of the bit you hook the last link on the hook as you have done but then you take up the slack by also hooking the appropriate link, depending on how tight you want the curb chain to be. (sorry had real difficulty explaining this last bit). So you end up with 2 links through the left hook if you get my drift.
 
I do have a lip strap but didn't have time to look for it tonight, I'm hoping to have a sort out on the weekend so will add it then. Is a lip strap essential?
 
ellie_e said:
I do have a lip strap but didn't have time to look for it tonight, I'm hoping to have a sort out on the weekend so will add it then. Is a lip strap essential?
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If you are old school or showing at all, then yes :)

It also has a job to do - it helps the curb chain lie flat as you thread the lipstrap through the fly link & also stops it dropping off too :)
 
Emma86 said:
Which means they Weymouth is the wrong way round?

ETS Iv confused myself now! I thought the hooks were meant to face backwards? Or am I being dim? :s
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No, the bit is the right way around, the hoops where you attach the reins are on the right side.

Some people think the hooks should face forward, some people think they should face backwards, but it depends on how the bit is made, you can't change one into t'other without a pair of pliers!
 
JGC said:
No, the bit is the right way around, the hoops where you attach the reins are on the right side.

Some people think the hooks should face forward, some people think they should face backwards, but it depends on how the bit is made, you can't change one into t'other without a pair of pliers!
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Ah, am I thinking of a sliding cheek weymouth that 'swivels' so could be put on either way... and some are fixed (like the one op has).

Yes, a pair of pliers and a lot of muscle!
 
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