Hello, I have been riding horses for 23+ years and have always ridden Western. I over the past few years been doing English. I am getting a new horse and was shipping for a English Bridle. I have come across sooo many. I keep coming across bridles with one nose band one ones with what looks like 2 nose bands one behind the bit and one in front. I have also seen that none of the bridles have chin straps. What is the reason for the 2ed nose band and does a english bridle have to have one? I have attached a pic of the bridle I have seen with 2 nise bands.
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http://www.portugalweb.com/portuguese-english-bridle-D.html
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Hi Christena
The bridle in the picture has a flash noseband, which is the bottom one that goes in front of the bit. The purpose of the flash is to stop the horse evading the bit by opening his mouth too wide, it basically keeps their mouth strapped shut, but should never be fitted so tightly that they can't open their mouth at all. Not all English bridles have them and some people (including me) don't like the flash as they feel it is too restrictive for the horse. However, most flash straps are only attached by being threaded through a small loop on the main noseband and can easily be slipped off if not required, the bridle then becomes a normal English bridle so you have the option of either. English bridles normally also have a browband, and throatlatch which goes down from the browband and under the horses head near the top of the cheek. I am not very familiar with western so I am unsure which part the chinstrap is on a western bridle. Hope that helps!
Thanks you so much Emlaw. So I don't really need a bridle with a flash noseband. Thank you very much again. I have been leaning english and my instructor is teaching me in a english saddle but a western bridle. I would like to learn in the proper tack with my new horse.
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In Western bridles the chinstrap is a small piece of ether leather, rope or chain that attaches to the bit under the horses chin. Snaffle bits use leather chin straps. The only purpose for it with a snaffle is to keep the bit from sliding through the mouth. The chain strap is used on a leverage bit. When the shanks of the bit move back it causes the chain strap to move up under the chin creating pressure.
Hello
In my humble opinion, particularly if you have done western riding before, don't choose a bridle with a double nose band. This kind of bridle constrains the horse a lot. Choose a bridle that will let some freedom for your horse's mouth and rely on your soft hand. If your horse's mouth is soft, horse will be soft. Western or english riding, it's the same : tack should not constrain the horse.
Currrently, in you have a snaffle bit, you can keep it for starting english riding. when you will need the real bridle with two double reins, which is quite different from your usual bridle with a shank bit, it will be the right time to invest.
see here: http://www.philippe-karl.com/ for the type of bridle I'm talking about (without two nose bands!)
Cyril
Thank you Cyril. I am to much of a new rider for double rains. It looks complicated to me. This is the bridle I think I am going to get. Would it be good for a beginner rider? http://www.bigdweb.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3015&CAWELAID=572733014
Hi Christena
That bridle would be absolutely fine for a beginner - it is the most common type of English bridle and can be used with all types of snaffle bit. Snaffle bits are usually the mildest type of bit (although as always, only as mild as the hands that hold them). I don't think you need to start worrying about double bridles and so on, they are more for use in higher levels of dressage and most ordinary riders don't bother with them. The flash bridle isn't really classed as a double bridle, it's just a different a version of an English snaffle bridle with an added flash strap. But the plain snaffle bridle you are considering will do just fine for your needs, I've ridden in virtually nothing else for the last twenty years.
If you are a beginner, this bridle with a snaffle bit will perfect for you!
Yes I am a beginner in English. I am intermediate rider in western.
Hi Christena,
You should look for a Bridle with a cavesson nose band, which is a perfect match for the snaffle bit, but as emlaw said any bridle/bit is only as soft as the hands that hold them, Good luck with your Engish riding, one day I might try and learn to ride western style. Maggie