Double Bridles

Double bridles, originally called "full bridles", were much more common several hundred years ago. They were considered the "proper" equipment for a trained rider and horse, while a simple snaffle bridle was only for green horses and riders, young children, grooms, and poor riders. The double bridle is commonly seen in old paintings of hunt scenes, used by the well-trained gentry as they rode cross-country.

The double bridle differs from the usual snaffle bridle in that is consists of four reins attached to two separate bits: the bradoon-style snaffle and a curb. The curb bit hangs down from the main headstall, and the bradoon has a separate, simpler headstall made from a narrow piece of leather known as a "bradoon hanger" or a "slip head." The bradoon headstall lies under the curb headstall, with the browband of the bridle holding both pieces, as well as the cavesson all together as a single unit.

Riders must be skilled before attempting to use the double bridle, and the horse should be far enough along in his training that the double bridle would be accepted and understood. It is a refined piece of equipment that can greatly enhance the riding in good hands, or destroy the animal's training and mouth in bad. Because it uses two bits, it has a much greater chance of damaging the horse's mouth if used incorrectly. Source

New & Used Double Bridles

Horse Bridle Lot! Double Bridle with Martingale! Current Price: $ 50.0 Buy It Now: $ 50.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)	Stockhorse Colour's Double Headstall Marine Rope Bridle Current Price: $ 43.36   Shipping: Seller is located in Australia Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)
Drk Brn Silver Trim Double Poco Bridle HORSE TACK Current Price: $ 19.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 9.95 (Flat) (more info)	Ovation's Northampton Double Dressage Bridle with Flash Current Price: $ 139.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 9.95 (Flat) (more info)
Weymouth Bridle Black Leather Full Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)	Weymouth Bridle Black Leather Cob Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)
Weymouth Bridle Black Leather Over Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)	Weymouth Bridle Brown Leather Full Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)
BLACK LG. WEYMOUTH DOUBLE BRIDLE FOR DRESSAGE W/ BITS Current Price: $ 45.0 Buy It Now: $ 65.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)	Weymouth Bridle Brown Leather Cob Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)
Weymouth Bridle Brown Leather Over Size Double Bridle Current Price: $ 14.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)	Peter Horobin Padded Double Bridle and Sprenger KK Bits Current Price: $ 626.34 Buy It Now: $ 700.0   Shipping: Seller is located in Australia Shipping Cost: $ 10.0 (Flat) (more info)
New Oak Bark English Bridle Bradoon Strap Bit Double Current Price: $ 5.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 5.0 (Flat) (more info)	MINI MINIATURE HORSE Leather Double Ear Bridle & Reins Current Price: $ 19.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 5.0 (Flat) (more info)
MINI MINIATURE HORSE Leather Double Ear Bridle & Reins Current Price: $ 19.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 5.0 (Flat) (more info)	Burgandy Double Padded Bridle Bag.... VERY NICE! Current Price: $ 20.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 8.95 (Flat) (more info)
English Bridle - Dressage - Full Double Bridle Current Price: $ 32.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 8.95 (Flat) (more info)	Black Northampton Cob Double Bridle Current Price: $ 49.99   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 6.99 (Flat) (more info)
Black Weymouth Raised Cob/Arab Double Bridle! Current Price: $ 20.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 12.0 (Flat Domestic Calculated International) (more info)	DOBERT Double DRESSAGE BRIDLE W/Reins, OS, German, NWT Current Price: $ 375.0   Shipping: Seller is located in United States Shipping Cost: $ 0.0 (Flat) (more info)