Double vs Snaffle bridle May 25, 2011
Posted by mikeschaffer in dressage.add a comment
The problem with this type of discussion is it ignores the idea that any bit can be used as a “control” device, a “communication” device, or some combination of the two.
To the extent that a bit is a communication device (the ideal), the physical effects are not that important – if the rider is competent and the horse well trained, they’ll sort it out in short order. So, it makes almost no difference exactly how and where in the mouth/lower jaw, tongue, corners the horse actually feels the vibration of the rein.
To the extent the bit is being used as a control device, it’s very hard to say how the snaffle bit is applying pressure since that is dependent on the style of snaffle (single jointed, double jointed, loose ring, full cheek, to name but a few) and thickness of the mouth piece. The position of the riders hands relative to the mouth also totally changes the pressure points.
When in the snaffle and things are going well, I try to go by the rule that the corners are for me, the bars for the horse. By this I mean I try to direct my rein aids in a more upward fashion so they work on the soft elastic corners, and I leave it to the horse to figure out how much contact he is comfortable stretching into with his bars.
The curb bit always has the potential (or actual) physical effect of putting the lower jaw in the vise between the curb chain and mouthpiece. Let’s not be coy about this, curb bits were originally designed to do just this to establish actual physical control of the horse. On a horse that has been well started, there is no need to ever use the curb forcefully. Used skillfully on a difficult horse, the horse will quickly figure out that he is “out gunned” physically and then just the “threat” of the physical force is sufficient. At that point the skillful rider need only “jiggle” the rein a little to remind the horse to pay attention.
The Dressage Process 