Double Bridle Bits
Finding the right set of bits for your horse is critical, so you can communicate effectively and humanely with him and he can relax into his work, allowing the Horse to swallow freely and to be comfortable and responsive as he progresses with his training.
The right Double Bridle Bits promote:
Refinement
Communication
Definition
Elegance
Collection
Follow the Scales of Training
Private sessions with Hilary
In each session we will discuss:
How to assess your Horse's mouth and conformation
Bit designs and how they work
How to understand Resistance
How to select the right bits for your Horse.
How to transition your Horse into the new bits successfully
How to trial your new bits
How to progress with your new Bits
We will look at each Horse individually and assess its Bitting needs based on information from the Rider/Trainer and visual Equine reference. Then re fit, re bit and transition according to the Horses personality and level of Training.
Each Horse will take at least one hour probably an hour and a half .
Hilary carries a full range of Dressage Weymouths, Bradoons and Snaffles.
There is a charge of £65 for the Bitting Consultation and Bits can be purchased on the day.
The Bit designs feature curved and contoured mouthpieces, a variety of ports and comfortable fittings. All made in stainless steel.
To book your Dressage Bitting please email hilaryinformedbittingvernon@gmail.com or call 07775 851051 persevere if you do not get an immediate response
The right Double Bridle Bits promote:
Refinement
Communication
Definition
Elegance
Collection
Follow the Scales of Training
Private sessions with Hilary
In each session we will discuss:
How to assess your Horse's mouth and conformation
Bit designs and how they work
How to understand Resistance
How to select the right bits for your Horse.
How to transition your Horse into the new bits successfully
How to trial your new bits
How to progress with your new Bits
We will look at each Horse individually and assess its Bitting needs based on information from the Rider/Trainer and visual Equine reference. Then re fit, re bit and transition according to the Horses personality and level of Training.
Each Horse will take at least one hour probably an hour and a half .
Hilary carries a full range of Dressage Weymouths, Bradoons and Snaffles.
There is a charge of £65 for the Bitting Consultation and Bits can be purchased on the day.
The Bit designs feature curved and contoured mouthpieces, a variety of ports and comfortable fittings. All made in stainless steel.
To book your Dressage Bitting please email hilaryinformedbittingvernon@gmail.com or call 07775 851051 persevere if you do not get an immediate response
Double Bridles
Despite the fact that lots of things are written about Double Bridles and the fact they should not be used
Think of it this way you are trying to use two well-made comfortable bits [the same applies to Weymouth mouthpieces as all others they should complement the shape inside the mouth [not squash the tongue severely into the lower jaw] and give you much better signals and your Horse more release and reward than can be achieved from just a snaffle alone
Make sure when you are reading information written on Double Bridle Bits or asking for advise, that the person you are asking can actually ride in Double Bridle and knows how to retro fit a Double Bridle and Double Bridle Bits and does both on a regular basis
Think of it this way you are trying to use two well-made comfortable bits [the same applies to Weymouth mouthpieces as all others they should complement the shape inside the mouth [not squash the tongue severely into the lower jaw] and give you much better signals and your Horse more release and reward than can be achieved from just a snaffle alone
Make sure when you are reading information written on Double Bridle Bits or asking for advise, that the person you are asking can actually ride in Double Bridle and knows how to retro fit a Double Bridle and Double Bridle Bits and does both on a regular basis
Weymouths
The Weymouth action is three fold and it is important that the Weymouth is balanced to take the best advantage of the three pressures it brings to bare
As you pull the rein the cheek turns and the Horse feels some downward mouth pressure some poll pressure these two pressures are then balanced out by the chain. The chain moves against the lower jaw and stops the other two pressures over riding each other
if you do not set the chain well you get far too much mouth and poll pressure and no balance It is important when you make bits that you build them with the knowledge that the balance is correct
The Weymouth sends the Horse to the end of the rein, is your way of tipping the face into the frame, is your way of transferring weight back and is your braking system So very important to get this part of the set right
The Weymouth Cheek designed to work on three balanced pressures as the reins are used the Horse feels downward mouth pressure poll pressure and then these two pressures are balanced out by the chain or jaw strap moving onto the jaw to stop the first two pressures from over riding each other. It is crucial that the curb chain is set well so that the shank of the Weymouth only turns to about 45% and then the chain snugly tucks onto the jaw. Too tight and the Horse gets no release or reward and too loose and the pressures are unbalanced and the Horse will have to resist to escape. The correct mouthpiece should encourage the Horse forward into the contact and the three pressures control head frame, weight transferral and are your brakes! It is really important that the cheeks are the right length if they have been constructed poorly and not in balance then the bit simply does not work
Accent Weymouth
The Accent mouthpiece is built on a 5" Shank and has a definite feel to the underside of the port and allows the Horse a little more tongue room in the centre of the bit and the forward curve to the bar of the mouthpiece but because of the curve does not apply pressure directly onto the top of the lower Bars, it allows for jaw and tongue room behind the mouthpiece . As the curb rein is used the whole mouthpiece is pulled down onto the tongue pressing the tongue down into the lower jaw until it reaches the bars of the mouth, the tongue has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port and the forward curve of the mouthpiece.
Very useful for Horses that are
The Accent Weymouth works best if the horse is not too strong, and you want to encourage it forward with the Harmony Loose Ring or Eggbutt if busy in the mouth. If the Horse is a little stronger with a Precision Loose Ring if you want to encourage it forward but keep some lightness. If the Horse is a little stronger still with the Response Loose Ring which will keep it forward with a little lift and develop a lighter frame |
Confidence Weymouth
The Confidence mouthpiece is built on a 5" Shank and allows the Horse more tongue room in the centre of the bit and the generous forward curve to the bar of the mouthpiece allows for jaw and tongue room behind the bit and as a non-jointed bit has no pinch or collapse to the signal. As the curb rein is used the whole mouthpiece rolls downwards onto the tongue evenly pressing the tongue down into the lower jaw until it reaches the bars of the mouth, the tongue has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port.
Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are
The Confidence Weymouth works best if the horse is inexperienced or has been poorly bitted or going into a Double for the first time or has been restricted in a previous Double Bridle set and lifts its tongue away from the action coupled with the Harmony Loose Ring or a Harmony Eggbutt or if the Horse is a little stronger with the Precision Loose Ring |
Definition Weymouth
The Definition is built on a 5" Shank and has a lot of Shape to the port and the underside of the port and allows the Horse a little more tongue room in the centre of the bit and the forward curve to the bar of the mouthpiece allows for jaw and tongue room behind the bit and as a non jointed bit has no pinch or collapse to the signal. As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece is pulled down onto the tongue pressing the tongue down into the lower jaw until it reaches the bars of the mouth, the tongue has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port and the forward curve of the mouthpiece.
Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are
The Definition Weymouth works best if the horse is not too strong with the Harmony Loose Ring if the Horse is strong with the Response Loose Ring |
Mini Finesse Weymouth
The Mini Finesse: sits well on a smaller face or a face with a short smile when you still want balanced leverage but with a shorter shank
It has an upwards sweep to the mouthpiece this is only one of two mouthpieces in the range that does not have a forward curve when static but allows overall tongue room when ridden at the optimum working angle. It has a very definite action and a real lift to the Horses frame Does not work on a Horse with a long smile or on larger faces in looks unbalanced Very useful for Horses that need
The Mini Finesse Weymouth comes with a 4 3/4" overall shank and works best if the horse is not too strong with the Harmony Loose Ring if the Horse is stronger with the Precision Loose Ring |
Finesse Weymouth
The Finesse: is built on a 5 1/4" Shank you and has an upwards sweep to the mouthpiece this is only one of two mouthpieces in the range that does not have a forward curve when static but allows a little overall tongue room when ridden at the optimum working angle. It has a very definite action and a real lift to the Horses frame
Very useful for Horses that need
The Finesse Weymouth works best if the horse is not too strong with the Harmony Loose Ring if the Horse is medium in a Precision Loose Ring or strong with the Response Loose Ring |
Japan Finesse Weymouth
The Japan Finesse: is built on a 5" Shank you has a slightly different Shank sizing than the Finesse and a thicker diameter mouth has an upwards sweep to the mouthpiece this is only one of two mouthpieces in the range that does not have a forward curve when static but allows a little overall tongue room when ridden at the optimum working angle. It has a very definite action and a real lift to the Horses frame
Very useful for Horses that need
The Japan Finesse Weymouth works best if the horse is not too strong with the Harmony Loose Ring if the Horse is strong with the Response Loose Ring |
Cadence Weymouth
The Cadence mouthpiece is built on a 6" shank and has a forward curve to the mouthpiece and a well-placed port to allow for more tongue room behind the bar of the mouthpiece and extra room in the centre for the fleshiest part of the tongue This mouthpiece is on a 6 1/4" Cheek so is designed for a Horse that needs to be encouraged forward into the bits but can be quite strong when it gets there
Very useful for Horses or and Cobs that are
The Cadence Weymouth Cheek designed to have a longer top purchase in order that the curb chain can be carried a little higher on the back 0f the lower jaw |
Allowance Weymouth
The Allowance mouthpiece has the largest of my ports in the centre the port is not too large for the average mouth Remember the bottom of the port does not sit on the top of the tongue and the top stick into the roof of the horses mouth the port allows the tongue to be drawn into the space. As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece is pulled towards the tongue and lower jaw pressing the tongue down at first until it reaches the bars of the mouth, the tongue then has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port and the forward curve of the mouthpiece
Very useful for Horses that are
The Allowance Weymouth works best if the horse is not too strong with the Harmony Loose Ring if the Horse is strong with the Response Loose Ring |
Bradoons
When matching a Bradoon with a Weymouth you are trying to create the perfect set of signals
Despite what has been written by people who clearly do not ride regularily in Double Bridles [if at all] the Bradoon has a slight head raising effect and is your most efficient turning and flexing signal ~In a nutshell with the right set of bits if your horse is a little too round you drop out a little Weymouth pressure and pick up a little more Bradoon and so on
Remember it is important to be able to individualise your reins so you can use one or the other in equal or inequal measure to help your horse understand the signals and be comfortable in its frame Remember Horses are individuals and you need a variety of options to allow each Horse to respond well to your signals
One Mouthpiece does not fit all Does not mean the same to all and Does not get the same response from all
So try to choose a Bradoon that matches a Weymouth in terms of what you need to improve about the way your Horse goes or what you need to move onto next
So for instance with a Horse who is a little tentative and needs encouragement to go forward you might choose the Harmony Bradoon but when it gets into the rein it can be a little solid in your hands you could match this Bradoon with an Accent Weymouth to have the best of all signals
Or a Strong Horse that needs to be a little higher and lighter in the Bridle you might choose the Response Loose ring Bradoon and the Finesse or the Japan Finesse Weymouth
Despite what has been written by people who clearly do not ride regularily in Double Bridles [if at all] the Bradoon has a slight head raising effect and is your most efficient turning and flexing signal ~In a nutshell with the right set of bits if your horse is a little too round you drop out a little Weymouth pressure and pick up a little more Bradoon and so on
Remember it is important to be able to individualise your reins so you can use one or the other in equal or inequal measure to help your horse understand the signals and be comfortable in its frame Remember Horses are individuals and you need a variety of options to allow each Horse to respond well to your signals
One Mouthpiece does not fit all Does not mean the same to all and Does not get the same response from all
So try to choose a Bradoon that matches a Weymouth in terms of what you need to improve about the way your Horse goes or what you need to move onto next
So for instance with a Horse who is a little tentative and needs encouragement to go forward you might choose the Harmony Bradoon but when it gets into the rein it can be a little solid in your hands you could match this Bradoon with an Accent Weymouth to have the best of all signals
Or a Strong Horse that needs to be a little higher and lighter in the Bridle you might choose the Response Loose ring Bradoon and the Finesse or the Japan Finesse Weymouth
Harmony Loose Ring
The Harmony mouthpiece actively encourages a horse to move towards and push his tongue forward to the contact .As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, taking in the whole of the tongue the sides of the lips and the sides of the bars and the sides of the lips in a perfect hoop. As the Round Lozenge is the correct length and the joints are neat and non invasive the Horse should move forward into the contact. Both branches of the bit are curved forward to go with the shape of the Horses tongue and roof of the mouth a. Good young Horse starter Bit.
Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are uncomfortable with
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Harmony Eggbutt
The Harmony mouthpiece actively encourages a horse to move towards and push his tongue forward to the contact .As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, taking in the whole of the tongue the sides of the lips and the sides of the bars and the sides of the lips in a perfect hoop. As the Round Lozenge is the correct length and the joints are neat and non invasive the Horse should move forward into the contact. Both branches of the bit are curved forward to go with the shape of the Horses tongue and roof of the mouth a. Good young Horse starter Bit.
Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are uncomfortable with
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Liberty Eggbutt
Liberty Eggbutt
The Liberty has the most generous forward curve of all my Eggbutt snaffles and is new to the range for 2019 I have researched how much or how little curve you need to help different Horses to be able to respond well and after prototyping this bit it has come into stock and I am so pleased with the results It has really soft curve forward and feels very even into the riders hands Very useful for Horses that have been
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Precision Eggbutt
The Precision mouthpiece is a combination of a generous round curve to the branches of the mouthpiece small non invasive joints and an Oval Lozenge that is rounded on the roof of the mouth and Oval on the tongue side
The feel for the Horse and into the Riders hand is one of encouraging the Horse forward into the bit but when it gets there they should lighten up and flex to the Riders signals Very useful for Horses that need
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Precision Loose Ring
The Precision mouthpiece is a combination of a generous round curve to the branches of the mouthpiece small non invasive joints and an Oval Lozenge that is rounded on the roof of the mouth and Oval on the tongue side
The feel for the Horse and into the Riders hand is one of encouraging the Horse forward into the bit but when it gets there they should lighten up and flex to the Riders signals Very useful for Horses that need
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Response Loose Ring
Response Loose Ring
The Response mouthpiece encourages a horse to move towards the bit but because of the structure of the Oblong lozenge and the positioning of the joints it discourages the Horse from getting too strong or set on the mouthpiece. As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece is pulled around the tongue and lower jaw with a really comfortable no pinch wrap effect , the mouthpiece has a structured feel in the centre of the tongue to dissuade the horse from leaning on the bit. The Lozenge is small neat and stays in the centre of the tongue and does not interfere with the edge of the tongue or the bars of the mouth This is a Oblong lozenge and not a plate a plate would have to be flat on both sides Very useful for Horses or Ponies that need to
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Contour Loose Ring
Contour Loose Ring Snaffle
The Contour mouthpiece comes in 12mm and 14mm and has a longer curved Lozenge and generously curved mouthpiece and is designed to encourage the Horse forward and upwards into the contact Very useful for Horses and Ponies
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Attention Eggbutt
The Attention mouthpiece Is a curved mouthpiece with a small Flat link in the middle so often French Link Style plates can be so long that the joints and even the plate interfere with the edge of the Horses tongue and the bars of the mouth and the really long ones can even end up with the joints in the corner of the lips A Horse is never going to respond well to a joint scraping into an area the hurts The Attention has a purposely small plate to keep the signals in the centre of the tongue where they are of the most use Very useful of Horses and Ponies that need to
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