So the rules force all riders to use double bridles at certain levels, GP being the one most talked about. Do the rules force riders to use double reins? Or could a rider rider with just the snaffle rein?
It’s very possible to hold the double reins but not use them. Indeed the curb is not always in play anyhow. Of course the rider needs to know how to use the double reins in order to not use them.
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You are not forced to use a double bridle. You may ride in a snaffle all the way through GP at USEF shows, and also at CDIs through 2*.
The double is required at GP and Young Adult Championships at USEF Festival, but everywhere else you can use a snaffle bridle,
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I left the curb rein a bit too loose/looped once and it was commented upon “incorrect use of the curb” and I assume penalized.
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A double bridle, properly used, is subtle, finely tuned communication, lovely to feel, more of a whisper and certainly not a shout. I like riding with two reins.
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I think of and teach my students that the curb is a boundary more than an aid. You make the curb rein a certain length which helps shape the neck and determine the height of the poll. If the horse stays within the boundary, the curb rein is never tight. It should really only activate if the horse comes against both reins.
No one has said yet if double reins are mandatory, but it sounds like a rider could be penalized for not having it cause a judge could feel that it would be “incorrect use of the curb”.
According to this booklet from USEF, on page 12:
e. Reins. A rein is a continuous, uninterrupted strap or line connecting the bit to the hand. Each bit must be attached to a separate rein and reins may only be attached to bits.
i. Double bridle. A double bridle has bridoon and curb bits each attached to a separate rein.
Well we have most certainly said that they are NOT mandatory for the vast majority of USEF tests.
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I am fully aware that double bridles are not mandatory at all levels. I even said so in my initial post. My question was specific to reins when using double bridles.
The double is not required in all Grand Prix competition. In the national classes in the US a rider can choose to show in the snaffle without penalty. I don’t know about the different regulations in Europe.
If you’re asking if you can ride in a double and just not touch the curb, yes, you can. I’ve done this myself and with students when I have an issue where I need to go back to riding the horse very round with a lot of bend, but I’ve tacked up in the double. I just hold the curb rein loosely in my pinkie finger. But if it’s planned, why not then just ride in the snaffle?
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Why would anyone want to use a double bridle and only put one pair of reins on it? Can you explain your purpose for wishing to do this? Even if it were not forbidden (and I agree the rule may not be clear) it would seem extremely odd to most people and would likely result in at least a conversation with the TD. The only time I have ever seen this done (not at a show of course) is during the process of introducing the double bridle. The horse can get used to the feel of two bits in her/his mouth but still only have contact on the snaffle. I know of no other possible purpose! Even for this purpose, it is far more common to have a curb rein on the bridle also but initially hold it loosely with no contact. If you only want to use only the snaffle rein use a proper snaffle bridle.
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@Long_Time_Lurker I think the OP was asking about having two reins on two bits but only using the snaffle rein when riding, not using the curb at all. I could very well be wrong.
Certainly there is a slight puzzle about using a Pelham bit then putting on roundings - but some horses just like that set up.
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That’s the meaning I took. I mean, horses like people have all sorts of preferences, but in my experience a horse that is trained well to a double bridle would have to get used to a “dropped” curb rein, the weight of the rein and the energy in bigger movements might cause the rein to wiggle around. This would probably be distracting and confusing.
An educated hand can easily hold a curb neutrally, but this wouldn’t mean flapping in the breeze.
Same for just taking the rein off. The bits would sit differently in the mouth and you’d probably be fielding confused comments from judges.
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I doubt that this would be legal.
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Probably! Anyone bored enough to pore through the rules?
From the rule quoted above, if you have both bits on the bridle, you must have 2 reins attached. But use of / technique with the curb rein probably factors into the rider score at least if incorrect, and could affect movement scores if whatever is going on bothers the horse.
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I ride with double bridles.
I would NOT want to ride a horse in a curb bit without reins. The weight of the reins gives the bottom of the curb bit some stability, as in the end of the shanks are so much less likely to end up flopping up and down with every movement. I have also noticed that while having a slight sag in my curb reins is wonderful, that the horses loath me riding with the curb with totally loose reins since it irritates them and their mouth.
I use the bridoon rein between my ring and little fingers. My curb rein goes on the outside of my little finger. I leave the curb rein sagging slightly, a connection versus direct contact, and when I want the horse to notice the curb bit I just move my little finger a little bit, maybe 1/4" at the most while I keep direct contact with the bridoon (at the proper moment in relation to the movement of the horse’s hind legs.)
To get the horse used to the curb bit within the first three rides with the double bridle I tie up my bridoon reins and keep a light, responsive contact with just the curb bit. The horses do not curse me out, they relax and reach out for the bit and listen to my very light, well timed and subtle rein aids. After this the horses just totally relax about the curb bit since I don’t hurt their mouths or curb grooves with it and it ends up being no big deal to the horse.
I have a new snaffle I got last year. I asked my riding teachers if I could use it on their lesson horse but these horses respond so well to me using the double bridle that my riding teachers seem to be resistant to the idea if me going back to just using the snaffle.
Since I have MS, bad balance, trembling hands that occasionally float away from the ideal hand position I have come to the conclusion that, with my hands, the horses PREFER me using the double bridle and have “told” my riding teachers that only the double bridle will do when I ride them.
At my riding stables I am the only person using a double bridle. The horses seem to prefer it because with two bits in their mouths they can answer some deep down questions about what in the world a rein aid means.
Nowadays I think that a lot of the contact problems that people have with their horses could be quickly resolved by using a double bridle with light hands and well timed rein aids.
Which makes me really glad I do not show since in the USA riders often seem to think that using a double bridle is equivalent to developing faster than light space ships. It is not. HORSES have no problems with figuring out a double bridle used humanely.
These horses Include a 30 year old lesson horse that never had a double bridle in his mouth when I put one on his head the first time. It was “what is this” to "this seems to make sense to me (the horse), to relaxation and listening much better to ALL my aids, hand, seat and leg.
I LOVE my double bridles and the horses seem to like them too.
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It’s pretty much academic anyway,if your horse drops the bit in the middle of a test for some reason and you have to slip the curb rein, that test is not going well .
IF you choose to ride in a double, use the curb as intended, IF possible 
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Please show me where your post says you are aware that double bridles are not mandatory. “Force all riders” certainly sounds like you think it is mandatory to me.
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