The move to a double bridle for dressage - elementary

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Spiderpig2009

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Hi there, I have a wonderful horse and we have done well at BD and are about to move up to Elementary.

He is an older established boy and I have a really good Grand Prix trainer on site at the yard and I have been having weekly lessons.

My horse is huge 17.3hh and very obedient- we have had good results at areas, nationals and local shows, although he is very strong and at 5’6” there is only so much leg, seat and core from me to go around.

So I am going to opt to go in a double at elementary. He trained in one with his previous owner, I showjumped for 20 years so very comfortable using 2 reins as I did with my jumping horses.

Which mouthpieces/combination of double bits would you recommend as a starter double set- it’s such a a lot of metal in the mouth I just want to be as gentle as I can while we commence training in it. I was going to delay going to shows for a month to get used to it for both of us- so will start as soon as the winter area and regionals are over.

He is Belgian with a big tongue and takes a 6.25” snaffle. I am not looking to get bit people in at this stage- they were not around in my day, so working suggestions as to what you double users use when introducing it would be really helpful
 
I tyrpically try to find a slightly thinner version of their normal snaffle to keep the mouthpiece they are used to and then a short shank curb with a low profile curve. I expect your trainer will have some you can try?
 
Thanks for your reply. She hasn’t got any that big - I assume I need a 6” Weymouth. I have a jointed bradoon he goes well in, I just think the NS verbindend with another bit is a lot of metal as the mouthpiece is square if you know what I mean. Is the shortest shank 5”?
 
My horse goes in a fager Madeleine and a Neue Schule starter Weymouth. He has a big tongue and a low palette so I find this combination fits his mouth well. The fager is thin and really light which helps keep it nice and comfortable. Good luck!
 
lizziebell said:
I always stick with the same snaffle mouthpiece for the bradoon to start (and yes, I’ve used the verbindend bradoon). I then team that with the NS slimma as a starting Weymouth.
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Thank you been looking at those. The Warmblood NS does seem to have some strange angles I just wonder how comfortable that is if ones tongue is different to that shape. I guess they know more than I do!
 
Horse in my profile pic is 18.1 and very forward and strong; and at the time I was 5'6" and 8 1/2 stone at the time so i understand your issue! We tended to do better at elementary than novice because I could use the double and got much more suppleness off him because he was more adjustable.
You have very limited options for bits once you go beyond 6". NS have the best range of anyone but I have been known to employ the services of a loriner previously to ensure I can get what I need.
A number of the online bit shops will offer consultation over the phone for free, i have used that successfully several times over the years which saves getting a bit fitter out. As a side note if you get a bit fitter out check in advance how many samples they carry in your size. I watched my horse squeezed into 5 1/2" when he should be in 6 1/2 because that's all they have.m
 
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