What is a bridoon?
A bridoon is a type of bit similar to a snaffle bit and is often used in conjunction with a curb bit for creating a double bridle. The use of a bridoon alongside a curb bit provides a more nuanced level of control compared to a single bit.
Importance of Bridoons in Double Bridle
The curb bit is the primary component of a double bridle, but the bridoon also plays a significant role. There is a variety of bridoon styles, ranging from mild to extremely severe. However, mild bridoons are generally more common due to their balance and effectiveness.
Bridoons: A Closer Contact between Rider and Horse
Bridoons are essentially a smaller version of a standard snaffle, with their reduced ring size providing a more intimate connection between the rider and the horse’s mouth. This closer contact helps enhance communication and control between the rider and the horse, allowing for a smoother riding experience.
Variations in Bridoon Design
Similar to snaffles, numerous combinations of cheek and mouthpiece designs are available within the bridoon family. The various options provide riders with the ability to choose the best fitting style for their horse and riding preferences. By selecting the most suitable bridoon, riders can ensure a comfortable fit and improved communication with their horse throughout the ride.
Types of Bridoons
Bridoons, a key component in a double bridle, can greatly vary in design and intended use. When using a fundamental double bridle, you’ll commonly find a smooth-mouth jointed bridoon of medium thickness paired with a Weymouth. This combination is a popular go-to, thanks to its efficient symbiosis.
Commonly Used Bridoons
In many cases, riders opt for wire-ring bridoons, especially when coupled with a slide-mouth curb. Despite this, eggbutt cheeks are equally viable choices. When matched with a fixed-cheek curb, eggbutt cheeks usually offer a superior alternative.
Specialized Bridoons
The hollow-mouth eggbutt, also known as the German dressage bridoon, is loved for its direct influence on the horse’s tongue, lips, and bars. So effective is its action, that it can be used alone as a small-ring eggbutt snaffle. Another design, the Mullen-mouth bridoon, pairs perfectly with Weymouths as well, albeit they give a stronger effect. Twisted patterns are equally functional but need to be used cautiously due to their intensity.
Moderate Bridoon Choices
For a moderate balance between effectiveness and comfort, riders often choose the French bridoon with its flat centre plate mouthpiece, or the Fillis bridoon which features a hanging cheek and hinged mouth. These designs act upon either side of the curb port and providing they are correctly fitted, they offer a comfortable option for large-tongued horses, a solution for animals that struggle with a single joint.
Stronger Bridoon Options
Some riders prefer the gag bridoons, selectable in either the small full-ring or half-ring variety. Essentially, they are smaller counterparts to standard gag bits. These bridoons are potent and very resilient, mainly due to their thinner mouthpieces compared to ordinary gag snaffles. Though, their use should be approached with knowledge and understanding of their function.
Overcheck Bridoon
The overcheck bridoon plays a crucial role in driving bridles for Hackney horses and ponies, not to mention trotters and pacers. This specific bit upholds a major influence on maintaining the horse’s posture, primarily by holding the head elevated.
Design and Main Purpose
The overcheck bridoon, though sharing a similar appearance with the standard bridoon, comes with unique properties: very small loose-ring cheeks and a thin, rounded mullen mouthpiece. The bit rings, guided by the overhead bearing rein or overcheck, are situated high in the horse’s mouth. This elevated position reflects the bit’s main function – ensuring that the horse keeps its head up.
Combination with Normal Driving Bits
To expand the bit’s functionality, some overcheck bridoons are coupled with standard driving bits. An excellent example of this is the combination buggy bit. Here, a thin overcheck bridoon is attached to the main half-spoon cheek, jointed bit using two rings on its mouthpiece. This results in a comprehensive bit solution that provides more control and support to the driver.
Special Combination Bits
Special combination bits, like the Benison anti-pulling device, also utilize overcheck bridoons. The bridoon used in this device features a straight-bar mouthpiece that is set to ride higher above the main mouthpiece than that in the combination buggy bit. The main bit of this device is a mullen mouthpiece, and despite its effectiveness, this specific combination is rarely seen nowadays.
Curb Chains
Curb chains, alongside their accompanying hooks, are integral components of a bit-bridle set-up in equestrian practices. They come in a diverse range of designs and materials including single-link metal, double-link metal, leather, elastic, and jodhpur polo.
Understanding Curb Chain Dimensions
The conventional curb chain design maintains the same width throughout its length. However, some variants feature a swell centre, where the chain links gradually increase in size as you approach the middle. The purpose of this design innovation is to provide a larger bearing surface on the area located behind the jaw.
Single-Link Metal Curb Chains
The single-link metal curb chain, either rounded or flat in shape, follows a unique twist pattern where the links lie flat against each other. This configuration aims to minimize any potential chafing. It’s crucial to ensure the curb chain is correctly installed, as incorrectly twisted links might result in injuries within the horse’s curb groove.
Double-Link Metal Curb Chains
Characterized by a more uniform surface, double-link metal chains are less prone to pinching compared to their single-link counterparts. They are deemed the superior choice within the metal category and are the most commonly used type of curb chains.
Leather Curb Chains
If a horse demonstrates difficulty in responding to a metal curb chain, a leather curb chain might offer a gentler solution. This variant consists of metal links at each end for attachment to curb hooks, and a center section made up of double-layer leather. While ensuring a reliable response without pinching, regular maintenance is necessary to keep it clean and soft.
Elastic Curb Chains
An elastic curb chain offers another alternative for sensitive horses. The elasticity of this curb chain can provide a more comfortable experience for a horse that may find a rigid bit and chain combo constrictive.
Jodhpur Polo Chains
The Jodhpur polo curb chain differs from other chains thanks to a large, curved oval ring in the center. This design feature fits across the lower jaw bones and can deliver substantial pressure, making it particularly suited for specific riding experiences.
Fitting of Curb Chains
The correct fitting of a curb chain is vital for the comfort of the horse and the effective control of the reins for the rider. There is a good video on fitting a curb chain you should watch along with reading the instructions below. The process involves certain steps that need to be carefully followed to ensure a correct fit and efficient operation.
Steps to Fit a Curb Chain
To start with, the offside link of the chain must first be attached to its designated hook, followed by passing the chain behind the horse’s jaw. The chain should then be given a clockwise twist, enabling it to lay flat. During this stage, the fly link needs to be positioned on the outside and towards the bottom.
Following these adjustments, the chain is then given one extra half-turn for added stability. To secure it in place, the bottom of the link is slipped onto the nearside hook. This ensures the chain remains correctly twisted for an optimal fit.
Fine-Tuning the Fit
After fitting the curb chain, you can assess its regulation by checking the angle formed by the curb cheek. When pulled into action, the angle relative to the horse’s mouth should be approximately 45 degrees.
If the observed angle is less than 45 degrees, it indicates that the curb chain might be fitted too tightly. This could cause discomfort for the horse and should be adjusted accordingly. On the other hand, an angle greater than 45 degrees signals an ineffective curb chain, as it may be too loose to initiate the desired response. In such a case, a firmer adjustment may be required.
Curb Hooks
Curb hooks, a foundational piece in the world of equestrian gear, come in various forms. Of the myriad options available, there are three primary patterns – the Melton, circle, and stubby. Among these, the Melton-patterned curb hooks are the most popular.
Diverse Types of Curb Hooks
Melton Pattern
The Melton pattern, widespread and frequently chosen, marks its presence in numerous stables.
Circle Pattern
Another variant is the circle pattern, which boasts a unique design. In this pattern, the hook is housed within a circle, thereby minimizing possibilities of chafing, an aspect of considerable importance when the comfort and safety of the horse are of concern.
Stubby Pattern
The stubby pattern completes the trio of the dominant curb hook types and brings its unique attributes to the table.
Variation in Size and Selling Units
Curb hooks vary in size, ranging from 32 to 64 mm (1-4 to 2½ inches). They accommodate a variety of bridle designs and horses of different sizes. In sales, these hooks are typically offered in pairs, catering to the bilateral needs of a bridle setup.
Curb Guard
Chafing can sometimes become an issue with curb chains, necessitating the use of a curb guard. Curb guards provide an additional layer of protection and help mitigate irritation caused by the rubbing of chains against the horse’s skin.
Choosing the Right Curb Guard
There are different options available when it comes to curb guards, with rubber and sheepskin being the primary alternatives.
Rubber Curb Guard
The most common type of curb guard is made of rubber. While it effectively functions as a protective barrier against abrasion, it can also be somewhat bulky in appearance.
Sheepskin Curb Guard
An alternative to rubber guards is the sheepskin curb guard. Sheepskin guards offer a more aesthetically pleasing option and provide excellent protection against chafing. However, they are not as readily available, often requiring custom ordering or home crafting.
Crafting a Sheepskin Curb Guard
Creating a sheepskin curb guard at home is a fairly simple process. First, obtain a piece of fine sheepskin and measure it to an appropriate length. Then, stitch it together to form the guard, ensuring that there is adequate space to accommodate the fly link. This opening should be positioned on the outside of the guard, allowing for proper placement and operation of the curb chain. Ultimately, a well-crafted sheepskin curb guard will offer enhanced comfort and protection for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bridoons and Curb Chains
Q: How does a curb chain work?
A: A curb chain is part of a curb bit designed for horse riding. When the rider pulls on the reins, the curb chain creates pressure on the cheekpiece, amplifying the leverage effect of the bit. This additional pressure encourages the horse to drop its head and slow down.
Q: Can I ride without a curb chain?
A: Yes, you can, but it’s advised not to. The curb chain provides additional control. Without it, the bit might rotate too much in the horse’s mouth when you pull on the reins, which can be uncomfortable or even harmful to the horse.
Q: How tight should my curb chain be?
A: The curb chain should be comfortable – not too tight, not too loose. A general rule of thumb is that you should be able to slide one or two fingers between the chain and the horse’s chin groove when the bit is in action.
Q: What materials are curb chains usually made of?
A: Curb chains are commonly made from stainless steel but can also be found in brass, copper, and even coated in rubber or leather for extra horse comfort.
Q: What is the purpose of a bridoon bit?
A: A bridoon bit, when used as part of a double bridle, can be used to give more precise and nuanced signals to a horse. Since the bridoon is lighter and more delicate than other types of bits, it can provide subtle cues that a well-trained horse can respond to.
Q: Why use a double bridle with a bridoon and curb bit?
A: A double bridle with a bridoon and curb bit provides an enhanced level of control. The curb bit helps control speed and posture through leverage, while the bridoon allows for fine-tuned directional control.
Q: How often should I check and adjust the fit of the bridoon and curb chain?
A: You should check the fit every time you ride. Horses can put on or lose weight, and even a small change can affect the fit of the bridle. Regular adjustment ensures the horse remains comfortable and responsive.
Q: Can I use a curb guard with any type of curb chain?
A: Yes, you can. A curb guard, made from rubber or sheepskin, is designed to work with any type of curb chain and is useful for preventing chafing or pressure sores on a horse’s chin.
Q: Is there a specific way to clean curb chains and bridoons?
A: Yes, you should clean your curb chains and bridoons after each use. Soap and water usually suffice for both. Make sure they’re dry before storage. This prolongs their lifespan and ensures they’re comfortable for the horse to wear.
