I have! You can also get shockingly good deals on expensive brands by buying bradoons too
I had “bridoon” typed out but then changed it going through the thread 
1 Like
I typically use the “bridoon” spelling.
Merriam Webster has “bradoon” as a variant of “bridoon” so it is an acceptable spelling if not the preferred one.
I followed what everyone else was doing in this thread this time because I had too much stress going on IRL so didn’t feel like dredging up the spelling debate. Since goodhors did open that door, I’m sharing what I’d discovered when I looked up the spelling years ago when I first encountered the “bradoon” spelling in multiple places.
Merriam Webster unabridged online
bradoon
variant of bridoon
bri·doon
noun \ brə̇ˈdün \
or
bra·doon
\ brəˈ-
inflected form(s): plural -s1 : a bit resembling a snaffle but without cheekpieces used chiefly with a separate curb
2 : a headstall fitted with a bridoon
Origin of BRIDOON
French bridon , from bride bridle — more at bride
1 Like
Me too!
1 Like
Its a bit broader than that. FOr example, a mullen mouthpieces are not legal when used in a double as a bridoon, but would be legal as a snaffle with the smaller rings.
2 Likes
I am another rider of ponies and cobs who always uses bridoons …‘normal’ bits are too large for their faces.
2 Likes
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been wondering why some people spell “bridoon” with an a.
“Bridoon” – French “bridon” from “bridle.”
2 Likes
Did you entirely miss that your link includes “bradoon” as a variant spelling? I’d posted the full text of the Unabridged Merriam Webster online entry just a few posts up that shows “bradoon” as a variant spelling. 
Several of us have commented in this thread that we typically use the preferred spelling “bridoon”, but had retyped our comments in this thread to use “bradoon” just to be consistent with the other posts. 
While goodhors is correct that “bridoon” is the preferred spelling, it is incorrect that the dictionary ONLY includes the original spelling with “bradoon” being just an anomaly in tack catalogs and on websites. Both spellings are in the dictionary and valid to use.
Here’s a different online dictionary entry:
[https://www.wordnik.com/words/bradoon](http://Wordnik Dictionary -“bradoon”)
That entry includes a usage of “bradoon” from an 1810 publication:
Examples
- The Charlton bradoon , a favourite for more than twenty years, has lost its consequence by the new invention; the bearing rein now passes through the throat lash, but formerly it only entered the bit, and went straight to the territ.The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor Vol I, No. 2, February 1810
1 Like
Whatever. That article also has “throat lash” for “throat latch,” and spells “terret” with an i.
I didn’t notice the alternate spelling in the dictionary; what I did notice was the etymology of the word.
I can’t find any root “brad” for “bradoon.” lol
1 Like
Which is totally correct when referring to the strap of the bridle that goes under the horse’s throat latch.
1 Like
A thing is either correct or incorrect. There is no “totally” correct lol.
shows “throatlatch” for “throatlash” it shows a link to “throatlatch”
One could just as easily say “britches” is “totally” as correct as “breeches” but the latter is pronounced as in “itch” and not “each.”
The only issue you may have is that with smaller rings, the bit can be more easily pulled through the side of the mouth if for some reason you have to apply a great deal of pressure to one rein.
IMO smaller rings dampen the effect of the rein’s action on the bit. I do agree with others that if you think a loose ring offers too much play, an eggbutt or full cheek would offer more stability.
2 Likes
And you’re wrong again! Congratulations!
