According to the bit sizer, my horse’s mouth measures 5-1/4".
The Weymouth I want comes in 5-1/8" and 5-1/2".
The bradoon I am interested in comes in 5", 5-1/4", 5-3/4", and 6-1/8".
So I want the 5-1/2" Weymouth and the 5-3/4" bradoon - correct?
I will confirm with the trainer when I get a chance, but I wanted to get a jump on ordering bits for my new double bridle. 
Technically yes but… it depends!
What is your snaffle size? Keep that size and the weymouth could be equal or 1/4 to a 1/2 inch less in size. 
Who said it was easy?
I would suggest you ask your trainer to lend you different type of combination of bits before buying…it is as much PITA as saddle shopping, or you can get lucky!
And therein lies the rub…
I have consulted several different FEI trainers. And gotten several different answers. Both agree the bradoon should be 1/8" to 1/4" longer than the weymouth, but one stated the bradoon should be the same length as the horse’s snaffle bit, while the other stated the weymouth should be the same length as the horse’s snaffle bit.
Regarding the first option: If my horse’s mouth measures 5-1/4", and I use a 5-1/4" bradoon, I would need a 5" or 5-1/8" weymouth. This doesn’t seem right. Why would I want to use a bit narrower than his mouth?
Regarding the first option: If my horse’s mouth measures 5-1/4", and I use a 5-1/4" bradoon, I would need a 5" or 5-1/8" weymouth. This doesn’t seem right. Why would I want to use a bit narrower than his mouth?
I THINK (and I’m no expert here) because it’s assumed that the horse’s jaw tapers from where the Bradoon sits?
OP - I’ve read a number of different fitting discussions, and MOST but not all say that the Weymouth should be the normal mouth size and snaffle 1/2 size bigger.
However, the curb bit should be snug, and in your case, buying one that is 1/4" bigger and then sizing up the snaffle from there sounds like everything will be too big.
My double is sized with the Weymouth at “normal” size and snaffle larger.
Before ordering bits, I would see if you can find a couple weynouth bits to at least try on the horse and see how they fit, AND get trainers input.
Because the weymouth sits lower in the mouth and the jaw/mouth gets (usually) narrower.
The bradoon’s action is more on the palate and corner of the mouth, you need something a bit larger in order not to pinch the skin of the corner of the mouth/lips.
The weymouth sits lower and doesn’t act where the lips is more fleshy so it can be narrower as well for this reason. If your horse have really big lips then of course you’ll need something a bit larger not to squeeze him.
That is when you decide that the snaffle placement and bradoon are the same. (That is what my mare prefers)
When you think it would be better to raise the bradoon so the weymouth takes the place of the snaffle, then you get a larger bradoon and lift it a bit higher in the mouth.
It really depends on your horse’s mouth comformation (more square or triangle) and the thickness of its mouth/lips and where the bits sit.
I appreciate all of these answers, as I’m going through the same conundrum. I bought the bradoon and double bridle, but haven’t bought a curb yet as my horse has NEVER worn a double until now, and he’s not one that is taking to it very quickly, so I’m not touching the curb we’re borrowing. So we haven’t actually used the curb yet, so no sense in buying one. But my horse is definitely a “square” - his jaw doesn’t really taper from where the bradoon sits to where the curb sits. I had wondered about the logic behind buying different sizes. So thank you!
If the mouth measures 5 1/4", I’d start by borrowing a 5 1/4" curb and a 5 1/2" bradoon. Use it for a week, and adjust if necessary.
Reference; [URL=“http://www.dressageforjuniors.com/Learn-the-Snaffle-and-Double-Bridle.html”]http://www.dressageforjuniors.com/Learn-the-Snaffle-and-Double-Bridle.html
“1. The bits are the big part of the fit. When I buy a set of double bridle bits I look to see what size, in inches from left to right not thickness, snaffle is on the horse’s daily work bridle The curb or weymouth should be the same size as the daily snaffle. The bradoon or snaffle bit should be 1/8 or1/4 inch larger. This will insure that the rings of the snaffle do not pinch or get caught on the curb. If the bits are too small they will not have the travel that they will need when you manipulate the bit. When the bits are too large they slide back and forth and can bang on the bars causing pain.”
LOL, the above replies and a few PMs just go to show how much confusion there is about this topic - and mirror my conversations with various FEI trainers.
Some replies state that the bradoon should measure same as the horse’s mouth, with Weymouth a bit shorter.
Other replies state that the Weymouth should measure same as the horse’s mouth, with bradoon slightly longer.
My horse is using a borrowed double at the moment, but I don’t know the bit sizes and the owner of the bridle doesn’t remember. He is going “ok” in it, but he is a pretty tolerant guy. When the bridle is on him, it appears to me that the weymouth is a tad short for his mouth, and we have a bit of trouble getting the bradoon “seated” properly behind the curb. I have just bought him his own double bridle and I want to make sure to get bits that are correctly sized for him.
So I am still a bit confused as to whether bradoon or weymouth should be the same size as his mouth.
This thread makes me wonder if I were to ask a half dozen or so of America’s top riders/trainers, if I would get different answers. :lol:
2tempe is right - the curb must fit snug. You do NOT want “play” on either side of the mouth, this can be uncomfortable and distracting to your horse. Unfortunately, you also don’t want it too tight, because then it can chafe. If possible - buy from a company that will let you return if it doesn’t fit - they probably won’t let you RIDE in the bit, but maybe at least try it on? I’m guessing the 5 1/8 might fit.
So things to be aware of - does your horse have fleshy lips? If so, you may need to go a bit bigger - as those lips can get pinched. Also - be aware of horse’s palate and size of tongue - those can all affect the KIND of bit that works. And fatter bits are not always better - for some horses, that is jjust too much metal in the mouth.
Generally, snaffle (bradoon) should be 1/8 to 1/4 longer then curb - partly because it has some bend to it. I’ve always gone a bit small then the “regular” snaffle, and sadly, I’ve got a few curbs because it is a trial and error to find what works best for the horse. I look for used ones so I can make that selection. Also be aware that different brands may fit/size differently - even within the same brand, there may be minor variations.
Good luck!
[QUOTE=SendenHorse;7299036]
http://www.horsehero.com/5355?showFull=1[/QUOTE]
Thanks, but all that video shows is how to hook the curb chain.
Thanks, everyone, for all for the input. As this thread has pointed out, there are differing opinions on whether bradoon or weymouth should measure the same as the horse’s mouth.
My trainer and I reinspected my horse’s mouth today, and agreed that my horse has a somewhat square lower jaw. We have therefore decided on the 5-1/4" Weymouth to match the size of his mouth. Since the Weymouth I was interested in doesn’t come in 5-1/4" (only 5-1/8" and 5-1/2"), we are going with a different style. And of course, both it and an appropriately sized bradoon are more expensive than the ones I was hoping to get. :sigh:
[QUOTE=DownYonder;7299851]
Thanks, but all that video shows is how to hook the curb chain.[/QUOTE]
Pay $$ and you can watch the whole thing !!
[QUOTE=Equibrit;7299935]
Pay $$ and you can watch the whole thing !![/QUOTE]
I’m sure the OP is already paying enough his/her trainer for that! 
[QUOTE=Equibrit;7298082]
Reference; [URL=“http://www.dressageforjuniors.com/Learn-the-Snaffle-and-Double-Bridle.html”]http://www.dressageforjuniors.com/Learn-the-Snaffle-and-Double-Bridle.html
The bradoon or snaffle bit should be 1/8 or1/4 inch larger. This will insure that the rings of the snaffle do not pinch or get caught on the curb.[/QUOTE]
This I agree with. Placed at the same place in the horse’s mouth, IF the snaffle is a loose-ring, it shouldn’t be the same lenght as a D-bit. The D-bit or Eggbut snaffle can/should be more snug.
Same goes for the bradoon. If the bradoon is an eggbutt, it can be fitted more closely.
But this, to me, doesn’t make sense.
- …When I buy a set of double bridle bits I look to see what size,…, snaffle is on the horse’s daily work bridle. The curb or weymouth should be the same size as the daily snaffle.
That means that the weymouth is taking the snaffle’s place in the horse’s mouth?
If the daily snaffle is a loose-ring, which mean the lenght is 1/8 or 1/4 larger in order not to pinch the horse, why would you want to buy a Weymouth that size? It won’t be snug at all, it will be 1/8 or 1/4 too big, isn’t it?
If the daily snaffle is an Eggbutt, than that would be fine if placed at the same spot.
If the weymouth is put a little lower than the snaffle’s usual place, than the weymouth is going to be too big if you picked the eggbutt size or a worst if you picked the loose-ring size.
The snaffle bit should be placed in the mouth so that there are 2-3 wrinkles in the corner of the mouth. This might be one more small wrinkle than when the horse goes in the snaffle bridle.
So she really means that the weymouth is put at the same spot as the snaffle.
Why? Why would you put the bradoon higher in the horse’s mouth?
The higher you go in the horse’s mouth, the larger the bit needs to be. That is obvious.
I really fail to see why I would put my loose-ring snaffle higher. There really is no space or the bit would end up in my mare’s teeth!
If I lowered my daily snaffle bit, it would be way too loose in her mouth…
When using a double bridle and working of the bradoon only, you are actually working of the ‘‘snaffle’’, so why would you put it higher than on a regular snaffle bridle?
Really, my bridle is set up that I can put or remove the weymouth at any time during my ride and it really doesn’t affect the placement of the snaffle.
Maybe some people have their snaffle bit set in between the bradoon and weymouth bit spots?
Really just curious. ( I couldn’t care less as long as our horses are happy in their respective double and snaffle bridles! 
)
[QUOTE=DownYonder;7299851]
Thanks, but all that video shows is how to hook the curb chain.[/QUOTE]
Oh sorry, its a longer video then just that and talks about this question of bit size. I am a member so I wasn’t aware the video cut off.
Basically the curb is smaller then the snaffle by 1/4".
If your horse needs a weymouth with tongue relief I would hesitate to go with the larger curb bit. You don’t want the port to be off center.
Ugh, more complications. We are looking at the HS Bemelmans Weymouth, which comes in 5", 5-1/4", 5-3/4". Horse’s mouth measures 5-1/4", and he has a square jaw - not much tapering between where his snaffle sits and where the weymouth would sit - so we are going to order the 5-1/4".
Problem is that double jointed bradoons seem to also run in 5", 5-1/4", 5-3/4". We have found one 5-1/2" double jointed bradoon but it has a roller disk, which we do not want.
Sooo - if we get the 5-1/4" Bemelmans Weymouth, will a 5-3/4" bradoon be too long?
And yes, the reason I am still consulting folks on this forum is because there seems to be a LOT of differing opinions about bit sizing for the double.
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