The Cost of the Double Bridle?

[HollysHobbies]

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[caddym]

I LOVE the Hennigs (I bought 2 3 years ago when I got a larger than expect tax refund). They are very expensive

[cyndi]

I got my first double from Dressage Extensions about 5 years ago - don't remember the brand - for about $200. they have a Kieffer on clearance right now for $229 - IME Kieffer is a decent bridle...

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2158

[RougeEmpire]

Bobby's has GREAT prices on double bridles.

http://www.eqtack.com/catalog/index.php?cName=dressage-tack-double-bridles

Libertyville Saddle Shop also has prices all across the board.

http://www.saddleshop.com/eng/engset.htm

[yaya]

All the bridles at the eqtack link are out of stock!

[Sonesta]

Go see what www.greenrivertack.com has. I have found some wonderful bridles there for very low prices.

[poltroon]

You can also just buy a bradoon hanger and another rein and add it to your current bridle, if you have one with a plain cavesson.

The bits, though, will run you about $200 for a curb and bradoon.

[mypaintwattie]

You can also just buy a bradoon hanger and another rein and add it to your current bridle, if you have one with a plain cavesson.

The bits, though, will run you about $200 for a curb and bradoon.

This is what I did with my last horse, my current horse was given a hand-me-down double from a friend who didn't need it anymore. Some switching around of the browband and a nicer cavesson and I have a very nice double. The bits I purchased years ago through Dover, and didn't spend a ton of money on either, no more than $25 for the curb and $20 for the bradoon.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

This is a bit more than $200, but you can maybe find it cheaper elsewhere?

http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=6737

I felt one of these at a symposium and for the price found the leather to be very, very nice.

[Dressage Art]

I got my from a gal in Germany thru Ebay. It was less than $200. I think the brand was Rhinegold from German leather. It was shipped to me from Europe. It has a very good padding and I like the quality of it. I rode with it for 3 years so far and it looks new still.

there are some good deals out there, but make sure that you know very clearly from what leather the bridle is made. My friend got a good deal on a bridle from a respectable tack shop, yet it was made from an Indian leather it cracked when you bend it and also it gave her horse a skin allergy!

[Dressage Art]

PS: I spend more on bit/curb than on my double bridle...

[whicker]

I added the bradoon hanger. Your show bridle is lovely as is the browband. You looked great at Morven! :D

Then you can concentrate on the important part: the bits! When your instructor has figured out what you need, let me know. I may have some stashed in my bit box.:)

[dwblover]

Ovation makes a good double for around $200.

[Romany]

What about buying a sliphead, and then you just need to find a couple of pairs of reins that work well together for you.

Bits - WAY cheaper to buy a used ss set on Ebay UK.

[dalpal]

Keep an eye out in the Dover Closeout section

[tempichange]

Bought my courbette for 175. Spend sixty bucks on the bits (total!)

[Hampton Bay]

I bought a Bobby's on clearance after reading some very good reviews, and I really don't like it much. It's a full size smaller than any other cob bridle I have ever seen; it's comparable to a pony size. The browband has cracked in a couple spots. I've oiled it several times and it hasn't yet softened up at all.

I did have a Kieffer that I loved, though it was made probably in the late 90's. Not sure of the quality on the newer ones.

I also didn't spend much on my bits. I bought a curb that works perfectly for my mare for $10 on Ebay, and a Korsteel bradoon for $15 from a local tack store. There are plenty of curbs available for under $50 if you just look around.

[whicker]

middleburg tack exchange seems to have a lot of bits. they are online, so you can look before hiking up here.

[yaya]

What's a sliphead?

[slc2]

I think it's a good idea not to use a bradoon carrier on a regular bridle, and to get as nice a double bridle as one can. Many nice used ones can be had. The extra weight of the two bits and the different action of the two bits means the bridle needs more padding, and the caveson needs to have some reinforcement to stiffen and pad it. I've got a Vespucci and an Otto Schumacher, the third one is cheap and just doesn't sit as well on the horse. The Schumacher is very old and has worn very well, the Vespucci has the fixed crown which is really nice and I think puts less pressure on the crown.

[Hampton Bay]

Really, a double bridle needs more padding? How ever did we survive before there were bridles with padded crowns? How do saddleseat horses survive without padded crowns? What about hunters who use a heavy pelham?

Oh, the abuse.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

how did we ever survive without custom fitted saddles? and high tech arena footings, and all this new fangled medicine to keep ourselves and horses comfortable? Just because its new and we didn't have it before doesn't mean its bad. Face it, its a good thing we don't always stick to tradition!

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

Really, a double bridle needs more padding? How ever did we survive before there were bridles with padded crowns? How do saddleseat horses survive without padded crowns? What about hunters who use a heavy pelham?

Oh, the abuse.

And I think in the future you will see hunters and saddle seat bridles with padded crowns.

[ideayoda]

Full bridle bits together should be less than a $100. And a snaffle bit holder and a set of thin reins (for the curb) can be had for less than a $100 as well. There is no need for a bunch of padding.