Which weymouth and bradoon?

[sarah00000]

My mare is about ready to be introduced to a double bridle.

She doesnt like loose ring snaffles, cos they move through her mouth and therefore pinch.

She is in a Nuele Shule D ring snaffle for dressage/schooling and and NS Universal for hacking.

I have looked on the NS website and they dont make bradoons?

Any ideas what a good bit to start with would be? She has a petite mouth.

[Julie(luke3)]

Sorry can't help you on this one LP, as I use a rugby pelham(french link one) xx

[sageandonion]

KK do them don't they? Rather similar metal.

[hollycane]

LP fitted correctly a bradoon should never slide through the mouth and I would always recommend starting off with a loose ring bradoon and sliding cheek weymouth as there is plenty of play and if she has a petite mouth both these mouthpieces will be thinner than the fixed/eggbutt versions. Don't be tempted to leave the weymouth rein very loose to start with as if the horse swings her head the weymouth will clank about. Keep a light contact with both bits.

[sarah00000]

Thanks Hollycane, have pmed you and given you a thank you karma! Very helpful.

S&O - yes they do KK ones, but they are very expensive and whilst I would gladly buy her a dear one, if I knew it was going to be the right bit.........its a lot of money to spend in the trial stages isnt it Be well over £100 for a KK set.

[Julie(luke3)]

LP What about this? x

www.horsebitbank.com/

[sallyw]

Lovepink - what size do you need? I have some lovely Weymouth sets for sale with a thick curb and a decent bridoon and they are not expensive either - British made stainless steel and I think they are about £20 plus p and p. Otherwsie, I agree bit banks are a good idea, but costs can run up if you are having to have several and send them back.

[sarah00000]

she is a 5.5 inch in a snaffle.

Just being dim - where does this thread come up?

What sub heading is it under? I can only find it, by clicking on the link from where it was moved from?

[saz88]

Questions and tips, then top of page to 'Which Gear' hope this helps.

My question is how do you know if the curb is sitting correct, what size should the lip strap be on a 5.5" bit.

[sarah00000]

I have been told that sarahp knows a lot about doubles? Maybe I will pm her to see if she can help with our queries?

Thanks for the location help!

[sarahp]

No, I'm no expert on doubles, specially with all the new bit technology now available. I think hollycane is the one with all the experience! Have you had a chat with your dressage trainer about the bits, he/she may be a source of ones to borrow to try too? When my D went into a "double reins" bridle for open showing, I took her up to the local SJ yard where we went for jumping lessons and had a good play with some of theirs and what I had lying around, it was amazing how much she varied in different bits and it was most useful comparing them all in one session.

saz88 - if you mean the curb chain, I always learned that it should lie in the chin groove (which can sometimes be interesting in itself according to length of the mouth and of the cheeks of the weymouth) and only come into play when the angle of the cheek of the weymouth is at 45 degrees. Lip strap length not that critical, it's there as a safety measure to hold the curb chain in the chin groove. Please correct me if necessary hollycane! Less possible clanking and softer to try a leather curb chain or rubber chain guard.

[saz88]

Thanks Sarahp, I introduced the leather curb yesterday - one up from elastcated but not yet wanting to go to metal curb, appeared fine just hacked her out for her to get a feel of it, will try her in school tomorrow. Fingers x!