Double Bridle Update - Again

Last fall, after spending a lot of time agonizing over the decision, I moved Speedy into a double bridle. It took some time to not only get it adjusted to his petite face, but I also had to find a set of bits that he actually liked. I've been riding him in it all winter, and so far, we both seem to be pretty comfortable with it.

Speedy's double bridle from the Dressage Pony Store.

Speedy's never been one to fuss about tack. He's never balked at a specific saddle or girth, but if I really listen, he lets me know when he has a preference. For girths, he definitely prefers mohair or fleece over neoprene or leather. For bits, I ultimately settled on a baucher. It wasn't that he hated any bit in particular; he was just lighter in the hanging snaffle.

Weymouth and Bradoon from the Riding Warehouse.

For the double bridle, the first set of bits I tried were obvious failures. He was quite clear that there was nothing he liked about them. I did a bit of research and landed on this German Silver Short Shank Curb & Bradoon Set. Speedy was happy in the set from the very beginning.

Mandatory peppermints.

While Speedy worked well in the double bridle, getting the whole thing on him easily, took some time. The double bridle isn't really designed for horses with so little facial real estate. In the beginning, I think it made him feel a little claustrophobic. To ease his trepidation, I started by giving him a peppermint candy to get his jaw working, and once the bridle was on, he got another one.

Over the ears ...

Just this week, I realized that the process of bridling Speedy with the double is finally just as ho hum as with his snaffle. He still gets a peppermint before I slide the bridle on, but he no longer panics and flies backward. For quite a while he insisted that I slide the crown piece over his near ear first and then walk around before tucking his off ear under. 

I am not sure when it happened, but one day I noticed that he was once again lowering his head so that I could actually do his far ear first followed by the ear closest to me. Of course, he still gets his candy when the bridle is over his ears.

All straps buckled.

As he crunches his candy contentedly, I buckle the throatlatch and noseband and hook the chain. He still likes to let me know that he's permitting me to put it on - he raises his nose up rather haughtily, but as long as I am respectful, he agrees to lower his head so that I can slide the crown piece over his ears without pinching them.

While I wish we were showing, this forced hiatus has allowed us to smooth out some wrinkles. By the time we make it back into the show ring, Speedy will be long past any tension caused by the double bridle.

There's always a silver lining.