Magazine Pferd Correctly Fitting the Double Bridle

Correctly Fitting the Double Bridle

By Deike

01 october 2024

Dressage riders who want to compete in higher classes will sooner or later have to deal with the subject of the double bridle, as the double bridle becomes compulsory in most competitions from medium level upwards.

The following article is intended to provide guidance on how to choose, fit, and use a double bridle correctly and in a horse-friendly manner in order to ensure a content horse and fine control of the rider's aids.

Basically, everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to ride with a double bridle. If you decide to use a weymouth bit, you should have completed the training up to a certain maturity. The weymouth is an aid for refining the aids, but at the same time it also serves to test the rider's abilities and requires the following skills from both rider and horse:

Balanced and relaxed seat, independent of the hand
Soft rider's hand, even and coordinated impact
Interaction of the aids should function
Content and calm contact with the snaffle bit
Balanced horse that does not lean on the reins
Good reaction to and acceptance of weight, leg and rein aids
The horse should already show willingness to collection, have developed basic self-carriage and impulsion

Dressurreiten mit braunen Pferd mit Kandare

Many of you already know how a double bridle is constructed. However, for the sake of completeness (and because the basic technical understanding is so important!), here is another rather brief description.

In dressage, the weymouth is always used in combination with a snaffle (or bradoon). It is used with two pairs of reins and a steady connection, whereby the rein aids are primarily given via the bradoon. The curb rein is only used to refine the aids.

The bradoon has a single or double jointed mouthpiece and is used with the main rein. The rider impacts the horse's mouth with the tongue. The effect is the same as that of a normal snaffle. In our blog article 'How do I find the right bit?' you can find more information about the different types of bits and their effect.

The weymouth is used in addition to the bradoon. It consists of a rigid, mullen mouthpiece and side pieces with an upper and lower shank and a curb chain. The cheek piece of the double bridle is attached to the so-called upper shank (or cheek). The hooks for the curb chain are also attached here. At the lower end of the lower shank are the rings for attaching the curb reins. When the weymouth is accepted, the upper and lower shank rotate around the mouthpiece, creating leverage and applying pressure to the poll.

Kandare mit kurzen Anzügen im Pferdemaul

The ratio between the upper and lower shank, or the length of the lower one, determines the strength of the leverage. The most common lengths of the lower shank are 5 cm and 7 cm. A shorter lower shank, also called a baby weymouth, reacts more quickly, but has less leverage on the poll than a longer lower shank.

Kandaren Kinnkette am unteren Pferdemaul

The curb chain is hooked into the curb chain hooks. The chain links must be turned correctly and lie with the flat side against the lower jaw. They limit the pressure exerted on the poll. By tightening the curb rein, the cheek rotates until the curb chain begins to engage. Ideally, this happens when the angle between the lower shank and the mouth is between 30 and 45°.

Reitkinnkette Edelstahl rostfrei | 45055_55.png | 1731066693

Curb chain - Stainless steel

17,90 €

Kinnketten Unterlage Gummi schwarz | 45249_71.png | 1731066694

Curb chain guard, rubber black

9,90 €

In order for riding on a double bridle to work, it is necessary to take a closer look at the subject and the correct fitting.

One of the biggest and most common misconceptions about the weymouth is the bit width. The phrase "the bit must be larger than the weymouth” is not wrong in principle, but it is misleading! As a result of this misunderstanding, you unfortunately find many riders who ride with bits that are too big and then inevitably fit them too high. This is often the beginning of a cycle in which one problem leads to another.

The correct thing to do is to use a bit that has the same width and shape as the snaffle bit that is normally used. The bit should also be fitted in the same place in the horse's mouth, not higher. The distance to the first molar in the lower jaw should be at least 1-2 fingers so that the mouthpiece does not touch the tooth when the reins are taken up. In essence, the only difference between a bradoon and your everyday snaffle is the smaller ring size and less thickness (standard 12-14mm).

The weymouth lies a little further down in the horse's mouth, where it is narrower, which is why the weymouth should usually be chosen 0.5 to 1 cm smaller than the bradoon. The sides of the weymouth should lie close to the corners of the mouth without pinching them. If there is too much space between the corners of the mouth and the side pieces, the weymouth can slip or tilt.

The thickness of the bit depends on the space available in the horse's mouth. For small mouths, the bits should never be thicker than 16 mm. In Germany, the average bit used is a combination of a 14 mm thick bradoon and a 16 mm thick weymouth. For delicate and small mouths, it is advisable to choose a 14 mm weymouth as well.

The biggest challenge when fitting a double bridle is to assess the space available in the horse's mouth. This is because there must be room for two bits, which must not touch each other when the reins are taken up. The area between the molars and the canines (if any) is decisive for this. But the horse's mouth gap can also have an influence here. Basically, the shorter the distance between the lower and upper teeth and the shorter the mouth gap, the more conscientiously the bits have to be fitted.

If the misunderstanding described above occurs, i.e. the weymouth is chosen in the same size as the snaffle, and the bradoon is chosen one size up, correct fitting becomes almost impossible.

If the snaffle is too big or the distance between the bits is too small, the mouthpiece of the snaffle can slip under or over the weymouth and press into the horse's tongue or sensitive palate. This must be avoided at all costs. Known problems that can arise from this are opening / unclenching of the mouth or pulling up / sticking out of the tongue.

If, on the other hand, the right combination of weymouth and bradoon is chosen, your horse will be comfortable and approach the rider's hand with confidence, even with a double bridle.

novocontact Kanadare Sensogan auf Holzhintergrund

There are many different types of weymouth bits and bradoons to choose from. If in doubt, you should seek advice from a specialist dealer or directly from the manufacturer (Link zum Kontaktformular Gebissberatung). This article is intended to offer at least one possible solution to the most common problems. More detailed information on the various types of mouthpieces can be found in out post 'How Do I Fing the Right Bit?'.

When choosing the shape of the weymouth and bradoon, one should also consider the anatomical conditions in the horse's mouth. Difficult cases usually have one of the problems described above: a short mouth gap and/or little space to the canine/molar. In these cases, the two bits lie relatively close to each other and it is important to avoid them touching. Basically, we have to choose bits that save space. Ideal for this are weymouths with a slightly curved bar or higher port that are inclined forward. In contrast to a straight bar, these weymouths create significantly more space for the bradoon. Anatomically shaped bradoons are also more "space-saving" in the direction of the weymouth than straight shaped mouthpieces.

Horses with a fleshy tongue or who don't like pressure on the tongue are often more content with a weymouth with a higher and wider port, e.g. the Bemelmans Weymouth.

For stronger horses, a straighter bar can help them push off the bit better and make the connection a little easier. Here, too, there are versions with different degrees of the port for different thicknesses of tongue.

NATHE Unterlegtrense 15 mm einfach gebrochen | 40108_00_1.png | 1731064947

NATHE Unterlegtrense 15 mm einfach gebrochen | 40238_00_1.png | 1731064963

NATHE bradoon 15 mm single jointed 15 mm, 55 mm

134,90 €

KK ULTRA Unterlegtrense Sensogan | 40200_78.png | 1731064873

KK ULTRA Unterlegtrense Sensogan | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_4.png | 1731065415

KK ULTRA bradoon - Sensogan Loose Ring Snaffle

From 114,90 €

Dynamic RS Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen | 40214_78.png | 1731064644

Dynamic RS Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065377

Dynamic RS bradoon 14 mm double jointed 14 mm, 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

154,90 €

Dynamic Pony / Island Gebiss 12 mm einfach gebrochen | 40216_105_78.png | 1731064645

Dynamic Pony / Island Gebiss 12 mm einfach gebrochen | Unterlegtrense_Pony_1.png | 1731065772

Dynamic Pony / Iceland bit 12 mm single jointed 12 mm, 45 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

114,90 €

KK Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen | 40222_78.png | 1731064871

KK Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen | Praegung_KK_Auschnitt.png | 1731064872

KK bradoon 14 mm single jointed 14 mm, 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

119,90 €

NATHE Unterlegtrense 15 mm doppelt gebochen | 40238_00_1.png | 1731064963

NATHE bradoon 15 mm double jointed 15 mm, 55 mm

144,90 €

novocontact Unterlegtrense einfach gebrochen Sensogan | 40240_78.png | 1731065243

novocontact Unterlegtrense einfach gebrochen Sensogan | Kandare_Pferd.png | 1731065451

novocontact bradoon single jointed - Sensogan 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

139,90 €

Dynamic RS Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense mit D förmigem Ring 14 mm doppelt gebrochen | 40244_78.png | 1731064645

Dynamic RS Pony / Iceland Eggbutt bradoon with D-shaped rings 14 mm double jointed 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

179,90 €

Dynamic RS Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense mit D förmigem Ring 14 mm einfach gebrochen | 40245_78.png | 1731064645

Dynamic RS Eggbutt bradoon with D-shaped rings 14 mm single jointed 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

159,90 €

Dynamic RS Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen Sensogan | 40248_78.png | 1731064645

Dynamic RS Eggbutt bradoon 14 mm double jointed - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

179,90 €

Dynamic RS Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | 40249_78.png | 1731064646

Dynamic RS Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | Sensogan_Pfeil_freigestellt.png | 1731064740

Dynamic RS Eggbutt bradoon 14 mm single jointed - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

159,90 €

novocontact Unterlegtrense doppelt gebrochen Sensogan | 40256_78_png.png | 1731065243

novocontact Unterlegtrense doppelt gebrochen Sensogan | Kandare_Pferd.png | 1731065451

novocontact bradoon double jointed - Sensogan 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

From 149,90 €

SATINOX Unterlegtrense einfach gebrochen Edelstahl rostfrei | 40261_125_56.png | 1731065508

SATINOX bradoon single jointed - Stainless steel

44,90 €

SATINOX Unterlegtrense doppelt gebrochen Edelstahl rostfrei | 40262_125_56.png | 1731065508

SATINOX bradoon 12 mm double jointed - Stainless steel

49,90 €

Pronamic Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | 40270_78.png | 1731065467

Pronamic Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | Pronamic_03.png | 1731065507

Pronamic bradoon 14 mm single jointed - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

144,90 €

novocontact Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | 40363_78.png | 1731065244

novocontact Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Sensogan | Sensogan_Pfeil_freigestellt.png | 1731064740

novocontact bradoon with small D-shaped rings 14 mm single jointed - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

164,90 €

KK ULTRA Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm Sensogan | 40367_78.png | 1731064891

KK ULTRA Eggbutt bradoon 14 mm - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

169,90 €

novocontact Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen Sensogan | 40368_78.png | 1731065244

novocontact Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen Sensogan | Sensogan_Pfeil_freigestellt.png | 1731064740

novocontact bradoon with small D-shaped rings 14 mm double jointed - Sensogan 14 mm, 55 mm, Eggbutt

184,90 €

SATINOX Olivenkopf Unterlegtrense 14 mm doppelt gebrochen Edelstahl rostfrei | 40370_56.png | 1731065509

SATINOX Eggbutt bradoon 14 mm double jointed - Stainless steel

64,90 €

NATHE Wassertrense 18 mm einfach gebrochen | 40808_00.png | 1731065001

NATHE Loose Ring snaffle 18mm single jointed 18 mm, 55 mm

114,90 €

NATHE Wassertrense 20 mm einfach gebrochen | 40810_00.png | 1731065002

NATHE Loose Ring snaffle 20 mm single jointed

114,90 €

NATHE Wassertrense 18 mm doppelt gebochen | 40828_00.png | 1731065003

NATHE Loose Ring snaffle 18 mm double jointed 18 mm, 55 mm

124,90 €

NATHE Wassertrense 20 mm doppelt gebochen | 40830_00.png | 1731065017

NATHE Loose Ring snaffle 20 mm double jointed

124,90 €

Bemelmans Reitkandare Sensogan | 42119_78.png | 1734017521

Bemelmans Reitkandare Sensogan | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065375

Bemelmans Weymouth - Sensogan Weymouth

259,90 €

NATHE Kandare 15 mm mit Zungenfreiheit kurze Anzüge | 42129_00.png | 1731065226

NATHE Weymouth 15 mm with tongue clearance, short cheeks 15 mm, 6,5 cm

249,90 €

NATHE Kandare 20 mm mit Zungenfreiheit kurzen Anzüge | 42130_00.png | 1731065226

NATHE Weymouth 20 mm with tongue clearance, short cheeks

249,90 €

HO Reitkandare Sensogan | 42172_78.png | 1734017521

HO Reitkandare Sensogan | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065377

HO-Weymouth - Sensogan Weymouth

259,90 €

HS Reitkandare 16 mm | 42178_78.png | 1731065283

HS Reitkandare 16 mm | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_3.png | 1731065413

HS Weymouth 16 mm with short cheeks 16 mm, 5 cm, Weymouth

219,90 €

novocontact Kandare kurze Anzüge Sensogan | 42184_78.png | 1734017615

novocontact Kandare kurze Anzüge Sensogan | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_4.png | 1731065415

novocontact Weymouth short shanks - Sensogan 5 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

KK Dressurkandare 18mm Sensogan | 42181_78.png | 1734017615

KK Dressurkandare 18mm Sensogan | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_4.png | 1731065415

KK Dressage bit 18 mm with short cheeks - Sensogan 18 mm, 5 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

SATINOX Reitkandare kurze Anzüge Edelstahl rostfrei | 42192_115_56.png | 1744063252

SATINOX Weymouth - Stainless steel

139,90 €

Bemelmans Reitkandare Sensogan | 42219_78.png | 1734017616

Bemelmans Reitkandare Sensogan | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065432

Bemelmans Weymouth 14 mm - Sensogan Weymouth

259,90 €

NATHE Kandare 15 mm mit Zungenfreiheit lange Anzüge | 42229_00.png | 1731065226

NATHE Weymouth 15 mm with tongue clearance, long cheeks

249,90 €

NATHE Kandare 20 mm mit Zungenfreiheit lange Anzüge | 42230_00.png | 1731065227

NATHE Weymouth 20 mm with tongue clearance, long cheeks

249,90 €

Kandare mit leichter Zungenfreiheit 16 mm mit fixierten Kinnkettenhaken Sensogan | 42248_135_78_KATALOG.png | 1731065318

Kandare mit leichter Zungenfreiheit 16 mm mit fixierten Kinnkettenhaken Sensogan | 42248_78_ST.png | 1731065318

Weymouth with slight port 16 mm with fixed curb chain hooks - Sensogan 16 mm, Weymouth

259,90 €

FC Spezialkandare 18 mm | 42251_78.png | 1734017618

FC Spezialkandare 18 mm | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065375

Weymouth bit "FC" 18 mm with short cheeks 18 mm, 5 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

FC Spezialkandare | 42261_78.png | 1731065320

FC Spezialkandare | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065434

Weymouth bit "FC" 7 cm, Weymouth

From 79,90 €

DS Reitkandare 16 mm | 42262_78.png | 1734017618

DS Reitkandare 16 mm | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065432

Special Dressage bit 16 mm 16 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

Französische Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan | 42264_78.png | 1734017620

Französische Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065434

French Weymouth 14 mm - Sensogan 14 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

209,90 €

HO Reitkandare Sensogan | 42272_78.png | 1734017620

HO Reitkandare Sensogan | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065432

HO-Weymouth - Sensogan Weymouth

259,90 €

HS Reitkandare 16 mm | 42278_78.png | 1744063248

HS Reitkandare 16 mm | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065434

HS Weymouth 16 mm 16 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

239,90 €

novocontact Kandare lange Anzüge Sensogan | 42284_78.png | 1734017623

novocontact Kandare lange Anzüge Sensogan | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065434

novocontact Weymouth, long shanks - Sensogan 7 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

KK Dressurkandare 18 mm | 42281_78.png | 1734017622

KK Dressurkandare 18 mm | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065432

KK Dressage bit 18 mm 18 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

SATINOX Reitkandare lange Anzüge Edelstahl rostfrei | 42294_135_56.png | 1744063252

SATINOX Weymouth - Stainless steel

139,90 €

Bemelmans Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan mit drehbaren Seitenteilen | 42319_78.png | 1731065357

Bemelmans Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan mit drehbaren Seitenteilen | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_2.png | 1731065434

Bemelmans Weymouth 14 mm - Sensogan, with revolving cheeks 14 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

274,90 €

HO Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan mit drehbaren Seitenteilen | 42373_78.png | 1731065358

HO Reitkandare 14 mm Sensogan mit drehbaren Seitenteilen | Kandare_lange_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065432

HO-Weymouth 14 mm - Sensogan, with revolving cheeks 14 mm, 7 cm, Weymouth

274,90 €

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke KK ULTRA Unterlegtrense Sensogan | 4K200-78.png | 1751281228

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke KK ULTRA Unterlegtrense Sensogan | 4K273-78_07.png | 1744063369

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke KK ULTRA bradoon - Sensogan Loose Ring Snaffle

144,90 €

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke HO Kandare Sensogan | 4K273-78.png | 1751281255

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke HO Kandare Sensogan | 4K273-78_02.png | 1751281259

SPRENGER & Ingrid Klimke HO Weymouth - Sensogan 7 cm, Weymouth

259,90 €

Unterlegtrense 14 mm einfach gebrochen Edelstahl rostfrei | 40202_56.png | 1731064778

Bradoon 14 mm single jointed - Stainless steel 14 mm, 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

29,90 €

Unterlegtrense 12 mm | 40212_78.png | 1731065453

Unterlegtrense 12 mm | Kandare_kurze_Anzuege_1.png | 1731065375

Bradoon 12 mm - Sensogan 12 mm, 55 mm, Loose Ring Snaffle

79,90 €

PART OF YOUR PASSION.

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Correctly Fitting the Double Bridle

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