TBT: Schooling in the Double

In the brief time between debuting 3rd level in May and moving to DC in June, I made it my goal to have some low key schooling fun with Pig in his double. I wanted to encourage him to go forward into the contact in it, and gain some confidence.
It's so hard to find a photo where one of us isn't making a silly face. This is as good as I could get...
I was so impressed with how calmly he stepped up to the plate in the double. His mouth was steady, and he didn't fuss in the bridle. I was actually able to take great contact with the snaffle, and ride him with that contact the entire time. While I left the curb rein slack, he wasn't reactive when I shortened my reins. I was able to use the curb when he took too long to respond to my requests to move his shoulder, and he didn't flip out.

When I watch this video now, I notice a few flaws we've been working to eradicate. Namely, he retracts his neck a lot in transitions and tends to go rigid when I ask him to straighten to the left. His collection is marred by that tension, and his hinds just don't engage as much as I know they can. Now he is also much more adjustable in the neck, which is wonderful.



Guinness is also even better in the double now. I can hold the curb properly (not with a huge slack in it) and use it gingerly to enhance his connection and collection. That developing conversation is completely interesting to me.
Pretty boy! The huge noseband on this bridle is growing on me...
Even with the flaws and dated connection issues, Pig's flexibility and obvious joy in going forward is lovely to see in this video and I enjoy watching it quite a bit.

Comments

  1. Pig is very handsome. Riding in a double is something I still only dream about :)

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    Replies
    1. He really doesn't need it, but I want to learn to be a good rider with one. He's so sensitive, I figure he'll be a good teacher.

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  2. I find double bridles fascinating for some reason!

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    1. They totally are! There are so many reasons and ways to use them, and they take so much finesse. I can't believe people regularly rode in them (or with two reins) for such a long period of history.

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  3. Noooo don't go to the large noseband dark side!!

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  4. Replies
    1. Green and turquoise are totally his colors. :)

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  5. Oooooh yeah I like it. Keep the big.

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    1. Haha, I knew you'd like it. It just needs more sparkles now, right? ;)

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  6. I love big nose bands (and yeah more sparkles are necessary!). Glad things are going well in the double!

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    1. Noooo not more sparkles. We don't need any more attention getting pieces.

      But wait. Maybe sparkles will blind the judge? YES. MOAR SPARKLES!

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  7. I love love LOVE that your color horizon expands beyond black and white. So rare in the dressage world, and you both look lovely in...seafoam? Green? I can't really tell, but it's lovely! :-)

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    1. I think it's more of a Kelly green, but seems to be hard to photograph. :)

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  8. Yay Pig - he looks so handsome in all that hardware - esp the big noseband!

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  9. Such a handsome devil, the bridle and green suit him. As Ty-Ty would say on ANTM ... He is looking FIERCE + finger snaps

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