This is sort of an informal poll.
For those of you using double bridles:
1 - what length is your curb bit?
2 - what length is your bradoon?
3 - what is your horse’s height?
4 - what style is your horse’s head/mouth (“warmblood style”, or a more refined “TB style”)?
5 - did you measure your horse’s mouth? If so, with which tool? If not, how do you know your bit lenths are correct?
6 - what length is your snaffle bit?
Edited again to add more questions. 
My bradoon is 1/2 inch wider than my weymouth 5 3/4 weymouth. 6 1/4 bradoon
Mine is also a half inch wider - 5 1/4 weymouth and 5 3/4 bradoon
So my question then, to tag on to this post… My horse wears a 5 1/4" snaffle, but there is NO WAY a 4 3/4" inch curb will fit him, and a 5 1/2" snaffle is too big. Where’s the happy medium?
I added some questions to the original post regarding size/type of horse. Would also appreciate that info!
My cob is a solid 5.5"
On his double, his Weymouth is 5.5 and has a loose shank, bradoon is a 5.75 loose ring. If the shank were fixed and bradoon was a baucher instead of a loose ring, I’d go with a 0.25" smaller on each.
My lusitano wears a 5 1/4 curb with the revolver shanks, and a 5 3/4 loose ring bradoon. His head is neither WB or TB like.
Both me WB and my draft cross wear 5 1/2" snaffles and wear 4 3/4" Weymouth and 5 1/4" bradoon
I edited my original post again to add MORE questions. 
[QUOTE=DownYonder;8686425]
This is sort of an informal poll.
For those of you using double bridles:
1 - what length is your curb bit? 5’’ KK Conrad
2 - what length is your bradoon? 5 1/2’’ KK (regular) double jointed loose ring
3 - what is your horse’s height? 16h3
4 - what style is your horse’s head/mouth (“warmblood style”, or a more refined “TB style”)? Not so refine Hanoverian head, low palate, long mouth.
5 - did you measure your horse’s mouth? Not really.
If so, with which tool? I tried the ‘‘internet cut and cardboard pivoting measuring tool’’… it kinda of works…
If not, how do you know your bit lenths are correct? Tried many combo. The size of her snaffle was good so I tried the same and added the weymouth. I ride with the snaffle and the bradoon at the same ‘‘height’’.
6 - what length is your snaffle bit? Same as my bradoon. [/QUOTE]
OP - continuing post #7. My Lusitano is 15 hand 3". My snaffle(s) I don’t really know what size, but slightly smaller than bridoon, I think. They came with horse; I bought the bridoon and the curb bit.
I did measure my horse’s mouth, using the stick method and a sharpie to mark it.
1 - what length is your curb bit? - 6.25"
2 - what length is your bradoon? - 6.5"
3 - what is your horse’s height? - 16.3hh (draft x)
4 - what style is your horse’s head/mouth (“warmblood style”, or a more refined “TB style”)? - Draft
5 - did you measure your horse’s mouth? If so, with which tool? If not, how do you know your bit lenths are correct? - not specifically - just reasearch and coaches recommendations
6 - what length is your snaffle bit? - 6"
[QUOTE=Ceylon Star;8686560]
My cob is a solid 5.5"
On his double, his Weymouth is 5.5 and has a loose shank, bradoon is a 5.75 loose ring. If the shank were fixed and bradoon was a baucher instead of a loose ring, I’d go with a 0.25" smaller on each.[/QUOTE]
To elaborate on your other questions, cob is a 14hh morganXhaflinger, with a really wide muzzle and fat lips. He typically fits cob sized bridles, and most horse sized headgear needs at least one hole punched in the cheekpieces and noseband hanger, if not the noseband itself.
I measured him both with a plastic measuring device that a friend had, as well as with a dowel and sharpie, both while at rest and while sedated for teeth floating. He does not tolerate a single jointed bit, or a solid mouthed snaffle, but is happy in his lozenge link bradoon and Mullen mouth but sliding shanked curb.
[QUOTE=TankDiveGirl;8686487]
So my question then, to tag on to this post… My horse wears a 5 1/4" snaffle, but there is NO WAY a 4 3/4" inch curb will fit him, and a 5 1/2" snaffle is too big. Where’s the happy medium?[/QUOTE]
My horse is a 5" snaffle and I use a 4 3/4 curb and 5 1/4 bradoon. Maybe you could go 5" curb and 5 1/4 bradoon?
[QUOTE=TankDiveGirl;8686487]
So my question then, to tag on to this post… My horse wears a 5 1/4" snaffle, but there is NO WAY a 4 3/4" inch curb will fit him, and a 5 1/2" snaffle is too big. Where’s the happy medium?[/QUOTE]
The bits hang differently so it takes some experimentation. You may find you need to adjust the snaffle higher than usual and the wider size would work.
My mare has a 5" fixed cheek, short shanked curb. She has a 5 1/4" eggbutt double jointed bradoon. Her snaffle is a 5 1/4" baucher.
She is 15.3hh with a refined warmblood head, prefers tongue pressure to anything else, so a very wide low port. And a very thin curb as her pallet is somewhat low and her tongue is somewhat fleshy. She doesn’t have a lot of “mouth room” for bulky bits.
I didn’t measure. I tried bits.
Thanks for the info.
I was always taught (by multiple instructors) that the curb should be the same length as the horse’s snaffle bit (assuming it is the correct length for the horse - LOL). And that the bradoon should be 1/4" - 1/2" inch longer.
I also understand from reading the works of various masters, that the curb should be slightly longer than the width of the horse’s mouth, otherwise the levers could squeeze the lips.
I measured my horse’s mouth before I bought his bits, and purchased accordingly. The bits look like they fit, and he has gone fairly well in them for a few years, but we are now thinking that he needs a different set-up - especially a different type of port. So while I am “shopping”, I am trying to decide if I also need to go with a slightly longer length in the curb - which will also mean a longer bradoon. I can’t imagine him needing a 6" bradoon, but that is the way things are looking. Sigh.
[QUOTE=TankDiveGirl;8686487]
So my question then, to tag on to this post… My horse wears a 5 1/4" snaffle, but there is NO WAY a 4 3/4" inch curb will fit him, and a 5 1/2" snaffle is too big. Where’s the happy medium?[/QUOTE]
Also depends on the shape of your horse’s mouth amd where your snaffle is hanging.
If your horse’s mouth/jaw gets more refine/smaller by the end, you’ll need a smaller weymouth.
If your horse’s mouth stays more square shape than you could use the same size of curb as your snaffle/bradoon.
If your ride with your snaffle at the right place, then no need to go bigger size in your bradoon. You’ll just have to add the weymouth below.
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