For horses that prefer the anatomical bridles (Micklem, Equitus Alpha and similar) does it make the transition to the double harder given that they are transitioning the bridle configuration in addition to the new bits?
I have no skin in the game. I use a simple snaffle bridle and we are a far way from moving to a double, just curious.
why can’t you put an anatomical crown piece on a double bridle?
I’m not sure that would be legal for competition. It’s not specifically listed as allowed or disallowed, but I’m not seeing anything on that bridle that would be considered a “jowl strap” :
DR121.2 states that a jowl strap is considered a throat latch and
can be used to replace, or be used in addition to, a traditional throat latch.
In order to meet the requirements of this rule the jowl strap must be fitted
around or immediately below the horse’s jowl. Nosebands with one or two
lower (chin) straps must also have a throat latch, as described above. This
rule applies to all dressage levels and tests where a combined noseband
is permitted.
I really haven’t paid any attention to anatomical bridles, but is the double different from the snaffle in this regard?
Look at Dom’s bridle on Bolytair B. Maybe that helps clarify.
Even with a throatlatch, this seems closer to a traditional bridle configuration than it does to say, a Micklem. I’m not talking about the extra padding, just the location of various parts.
My guy is in a Tota bridle or a drop noseband and I just moved him right into a Tota double. That’s easier than most of the other options mentioned, although he didn’t mind the drop to anatomical transition.
As far as I can tell with sniffing around, this is the only “anatomic” bridle that’s legal for use as a double bridle. The others all seem to lack a throatlatch/jowl strap, which is required at all levels, and/or have a band below the bit (as with the Micklem, Nirak, or Pioneer), that’s not allowed with a double. But I’m no TD (and am a long, long way from ever needing to apply this information).
I’m not finding any images of this pair using a double bridle?
The nose band looks similar, but the Tota has a separate bit hanger, while the Micklem has the bit connection integral to the nose band.
i hear a lot of Micklem users claim increased bit stability. I’m wondering if you had a horse that likes the Micklem for the stability, how you might go about transitioning to a double bridle without that feature. Or maybe by the time the horse is trained to that level they don’t need that type/level of stability?
the micklem essentially functions like a dropped noseband. You can’t use those with a double bridle, interferes with the curb.
I’ve used a Micklem. I’ve used it on a horse with connection issues, and the horse still had issues with the connection in a double. ( ETA: Yes, I am aware it shouldn’t have been put in the double with connection issues, but we all lived.)
i mentioned the drop noseband because it is similar to the micklem and my horse does fine in either drop or Tota or Tota double. (Have not tried him in a regular double.) He was introduced to the double about 6 weeks ago.
I think as long as one is not using the lower strap on a snaffle bridle to hold the mouth shut, the transition away from that set up to a normal noseband should be fine.
I turned my Micklem into a double bridle, but I do not show so it probably is not “legal”.
Many years ago I removed the chin strap since the horses I ride “told” me they did not like it, so I have nothing interfering with the curb chain.
I just got myself a bradoon hangar, I have it going on the outside of the crown piece in the center, through the brow band loops and under the elastic at the top of the crown piece. I attach the curb bit to the bridle with the bit straps and use the bradoon strap for the bradoon.
The horse I ride in the double bridle right now is a horse who is always, always, always ready to “cuss his rider out” if he is displeased with something. So far he likes my double bridle setup just fine.
He did at Burghley this year, that may help you.
My trainer has a Kavalkade anatomical that comes with a bridoon strap and a removable flash, so it can be either.
I show USEF and FEI in this bridle. It is absolutely legal (with the snap-on throat latch that comes with it). That said, other than the shape of the crown and noseband, it’s not particularly different from a traditional bridle.
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