Does the classic, simple double bridle still exist?

[Levitate]

My horse and I are finally ready to begin double bridle work and I’m looking for a bridle (borrowing one in the meantime). Perhaps it’s because I rode jumpers for so long or because I learned to ride in a pelham in a hunt bridle, but I love the look of the classic, plain double bridle that I see so often in older photos. It’s elegant but doesn’t call much attention to itself - it really allows the horse’s natural beauty to show. It looks pretty much like a hunter-style plain snaffle bridle except that it’s a double.

http://www.horsegazette.com/Monthly_Features/Oct-2003/MaryRose/Mary1.jpg

http://www.henriquet.fr/media/images/catherine_olympe.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Aveger_show06-1-.JPG

http://equestrian-rearings.tumblr.com/post/33991246287/theequus-working-equitation-at-arley-lusitano

The second is my favorite (or is it the horse?) and the last is my least favorite but likely the most achievable. Are these still found in tack shops or is it a matter of altering a snaffle bridle by adding another bit hanger? Even finding a snaffle bridle with a thin noseband is tough, but less so - suggestions for those are also appreciated. I’m looking for excellent quality leather & am not opposed to having something made. I personally prefer brown but it’s not a deal-breaker. The irony of going through such trouble to find something simple is not lost on me!

[keysfins]

Something like this? Bobby’s English Tack has a very simple double bridle. Check with RockHorse Ranch for ordering, Nancy is really great to work with.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

So you can see the size on a real head:
http://www.klselect.com/bridles/dressage-bridles/red-barn-centerline/

Weymouth version:
http://klselect.shptron.com/p/centerline-weymouth

[Levitate]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8556756]
Something like this? Bobby’s English Tack has a very simple double bridle. Check with RockHorse Ranch for ordering, Nancy is really great to work with.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! That one looks nice and simple. It only comes in black, but perhaps I can ask them to put one together in brown. There’s a larger photo here, for reference: http://www.justforponies.com/bobbysdoublebridle.aspx

I also found a few more by using the search term “weymouth” instead of “double bridle”. I came across this, which is very nice looking but I can’t assess the quality and am skeptical given the price & no brand name. http://www.fasttackdirect.co.uk/product-2-18-11723/English_Leather_Double_Bridle.html

[Levitate]

[QUOTE=Melissa.Van Doren;8556916]
So you can see the size on a real head:
http://www.klselect.com/bridles/dressage-bridles/red-barn-centerline/

Weymouth version:
http://klselect.shptron.com/p/centerline-weymouth[/QUOTE]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, but those aren’t the style I’m looking for. Those are certainly lovely bridles, but they are the modern type with a crank and padding. I’m looking for something thin, without padding and a standard noseband closure. It will look something like a plain hunter bridle with an extra bit hanger.

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=Levitate;8556940]
Thank you! That one looks nice and simple. It only comes in black, but perhaps I can ask them to put one together in brown. There’s a larger photo here, for reference: http://www.justforponies.com/bobbysdoublebridle.aspx

I also found a few more by using the search term “weymouth” instead of “double bridle”. I came across this, which is very nice looking but I can’t assess the quality and am skeptical given the price & no brand name. http://www.fasttackdirect.co.uk/product-2-18-11723/English_Leather_Double_Bridle.html[/QUOTE]

I thnk you could find it in brown. Didn’t know that was in the search criteria. Let me sleuth a bit!

[keysfins]

How about this?

http://www.tackzone.com/catalog/weymouth-dressage-bridle-p-222.html

Available in black or brown, still very simple.

[keysfins]

This one comes in brown, too:

http://www.tackzone.com/catalog/dressage-double-bridle-p-220.html

[Levitate]

I just found this one, too: http://elitesaddlery.co.uk/epages/42f21709-454d-4d5b-bb84-471484cdf566.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/42f21709-454d-4d5b-bb84-471484cdf566/Products/"22%201191"

[reefy]

I have the Bobby’s double and it’s really very plain but nice for the price (just under $200). The noseband is not a crank noseband but it is a little padded.

I got mine from www.equusnow.com

[lecoeurtriste]

You could always buy a simple snaffle bridle that you like and add a bridoon hanger. My mare is on the small side with a delicate head, so I went this route, and couldn’t be happier. Im sure you could use a flat hunt bridle with this system to keep your aesthetic. ??

[luvmyhackney]

Try Fennells or Freedmans for a plain double bridle. Fabulous leather.

[mvp]

I feel you, OP.

Do you want a thin noseband? It should be brown, not black? And straps-- cheeks, nose and all should be on on the thin side?

I have a great new black Smith Worthington that is not expensive. It might work for you if your horse as a larger head. I have one of these, too, for a very small cob. Let me know if these interest you. They do have wider straps and buckle ends.

Otherwise, I have been surprised and very happy with the Stubben bridles. In particular, I like this bridle-- the split crown Limerick-- design. I find that the Cob/Arabian size has good dimensions for a regular horse. And the split crown means you adjust throatlatch entirely independent of the cheeks. Also, when it comes to a full bridle (or in general), it means you can choose which side to put the buckles for the cavesson hangar, bradoon hanger an snaffle bit hanger. The leather is softer than you’d expect from Stubben or from most black bridle manufacturers. For this Hunter Princess, that’s important.

Here’s a picture and the Ebay seller who I usually buy from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121906750312?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

From a different Ebayer, I bought a brand new double bridle in Stubben’s split crown design that has all you want (but has wide padding on the brow and nose) for dirt cheap. I love it. By the time you get everything adjusted, the buckles on all straps are where they should be; Stubben seems to understand the dimensions of a horse’s head… and not all bridle-makers do. Keep your eyes peeled; these bridles in the Double configuration are offered on Ebay every once in a while.

I have just ordered a brown “Chocolate” colored bridle from the seller in Scotland. I’ll let you know how the color turns out, IRL.

What I don’t like in bridles is the nose band whose hanger slides up into the padded crown. That’s just more work to clean. I haven’t ridden a horse for whom that feature makes a difference in their performance. But I do think it makes the crown even thicker than necessary.

By the way, if you do want to buy a crown pad for one of these, I think this one will work… and might also work with the third, bradoon hanger strap in there: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUBBEN-German-Comfort-Soft-Padded-Headpiece-Poll-Guard-4-Bridle-NEW-all-colours-/270834076506?var=&hash=item84b8e630bd

I have not tried one of these. You’d have to ask the seller if three straps would fit in there. But I think they could tell you.

In any case, I’m a big, big fan of these fine-strapped Stubben split crown bridles. They are a nice “ease into the dressage aesthetic” for a Hunter Princess.

[Scribbler]

[QUOTE=mvp;8557842]
I feel you, OP.

Otherwise, I have been surprised and very happy with the Stubben bridles. In particular, I like this bridle-- the split crown Limerick-- design. I find that the Cob/Arabian size has good dimensions for a regular horse. And the split crown means you adjust throatlatch entirely independent of the cheeks. Also, when it comes to a full bridle (or in general), it means you can choose which side to put the buckles for the cavesson hangar, bradoon hanger an snaffle bit hanger. The leather is softer than you’d expect from Stubben or from most black bridle manufacturers. For this Hunter Princess, that’s important.

Here’s a picture and the Ebay seller who I usually buy from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121906750312?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

From a different Ebayer, I bought a brand new double bridle in Stubben’s split crown design that has all you want (but has wide padding on the brow and nose) for dirt cheap. I love it. By the time you get everything adjusted, the buckles on all straps are where they should be; Stubben seems to understand the dimensions of a horse’s head… and not all bridle-makers do. Keep your eyes peeled; these bridles in the Double configuration are offered on Ebay every once in a while.

In any case, I’m a big, big fan of these fine-strapped Stubben split crown bridles. They are a nice “ease into the dressage aesthetic” for a Hunter Princess.[/QUOTE]

I picked up one of these Stubben split-crown snaffle bridles second-hand for an every day bridle, and love it! As is, though, I don’t think the slot in the brow band would take a braddoon hanger. But I picked up a second Stubben snaffle bridle second-hand as new, regular configuration, and it definitely would take a hanger through the browband.

I think adding a hanger is the solution to getting a double bridle, especially if you don’t want a giant crank n flash going on. The price for a double bridle is far more than the equivalent snaffle bridle plus extra reins and braddoon hanger. I think doubles must now be “luxury” or “aspirational” equipment, rather than just something you’d pull out at a certain stage for training.

I’ve been using a double bridle off and on in my lessons, but it’s a 40 year old flat-leather entry-level bridle I got as a teen (the kind you soaked in neatsfoot oil for 3 days before you could put it on a horse), and mostly just used as a snaffle bridle back then. I haven’t seen anything like this in the tack shops now, though.

[Levitate]

Thanks all! I’ve settled on one of these. They seem to be the closest to what I’m looking for.

http://www.stuebben.com/start.php?lg=gbgb&su=products-leather-products-double-bridles-imperial-19110&id=619&top=2&top2=615&ukat=377

http://www.stuebben.com/start.php?lg=gbgb&su=products-leather-products-double-bridles-longford-1710&id=619&top=2&top2=615&ukat=382

[miss_machine]

What about a bradoon hanger on a simple snaffle bridle you already have?

[Sock_Em]

Like this?
http://www.sparrowsaddlers.co.nz/product/992/

[mvp]

OP, LOOK!!

It’s what you ordered from the universe! It all showed up. Just now! A miracle.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Stubben-Galway-Double-Dressage-Bridle-Cob-Black-Silver-Inlay-3300C-/131745911191?hash=item1eacab1197:g:4eUAAOSwu1VW3a8h

Even if you hated the brow band, you could replace it (so long as the brow was advertised as having generous loops. Some browband makers do do this as is required for any double bride.

In any case, this bridle has a traditional crown piece so, unlike the few-n-far-between split crown ones I like, this one has a more conventional build and browband. You can make it look the way you want for not too much dough,