A double bridle or Weymouth bridle is a piece of horse tack. The bridle is used with two bits and two reins. One rein, the bradoon, is a modified snaffle bit, and it sits above the other bit used in a double bridle, the curb bit. A bradoon is a loose-ring snaffle bit used in a double bridle. ... A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. ... A curb bit is a type of bit used for riding that uses leverage. ...
The snaffle rein (attached to the bradoon), should be thicker than the curb rein, so that the two are easily distinguished by feel. The snaffle rein should also be kept slightly shorter than the surb rein, and should be used to give the majority of aids. The curb rein only comes into play when needed.
Double bridles are not often used, except for some showing purposes in the United Kingdom (they are very rarely seen at shows in the United States), and for upper-level dressage, where it is required to use a double bridle. The fundamental purpose of Dressage (a French term meaning training) is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horses natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. ...