Which bit for double bridle?

[tabithakat64]

RI says it's time to introduce Fudge to a double bridle, he has fleshy lips and a large tongue, what bit would you recommend?

It would be for showing, I was thinking a pelham of some kind with a ported mouthpiece maybe?

Sorry for the numpty question but everything I've ever owned or ridden was in some kind of snaffle bit.

 

[kerilli]

do you want a pelham or a double bridle, they are different!
if a double bridle, perhaps a Mors L'Hotte with loose ring bradoon (small-ring snaffle.) this is a v nice combination.
if a pelham, a metal straight bar with port might be a good one to try.

 

[the watcher]

Maybe something like the Myler pelham (actually I think I have on knocking about somewhere if you want to try it), nice slim mouthpiece

 

[tabithakat64]

Thanks, as I said I really have no idea as have only ridden in snaffles before.

Can I use a pelham with two reins in the show ring or do I also need a bradoon?

I've PM'd you Mother_Hen

Should have asked my RI, sorry for being such a numpty

 

[PucciNPoni]

A pelham has rings for two reins and it looks best to use two reins (as opposed to using a rounder) and likewise you shouldn't use a pelham with just one rein! A pelham bit is used on it's own, never with a bridoon.

It's a bit daunting the first time you hold four reins in your hands, but you will find with a bit of practice (and perhaps a lesson or two?) it becomes second nature. I find that my hands are quite small and prefer fairly narrow reins so keep an eye out for smaller reins. I was told that it's best to use plain reins top and bottom, but I prefer to use something with grip (like a dressage rein) on the top so I can feel the top rein and will have more of a hold on it than the "curb" ie bottom rein.