A new study from Aberystwyth University and the University of Portsmouth has shown that the type of bridle worn by a horse in dressage competition is not the sole factor affecting signs of stress. While the use of a two-bit double bridle has often been debated in terms of welfare, the research reveals that stress indicators in horses are influenced by a complex combination of factors including rider skill, head position, and training practices.
Dr Sebastian McBride. (c) Jay Williams
The study, published in the journal Animals, investigated the behaviour of 135 horses across a range of dressage competitions. Researchers recorded a range of conflict behaviours (observable actions that indicate discomfort or acute stress) such as tail swishing, head tossing, and mouth opening. These behaviours were common among the horses studied, regardless of whether they were ridden in a double or snaffle bridle.
To understand these responses more deeply, the team also examined other potential influences: the level and type of competition, the angle of the horse’s head when ridden, and the use of additional tack items such as the noseband, cheekpiece type, spurs, and ear bonnets. Using a detailed behavioural ethogram and advanced statistical analysis, the researchers identified nine main behavioural components and explored how these related to the different variables.
The results revealed a complex relationship between bridle type, rider skill level, and ridden head angle. For example, horses ridden with double bridles did not necessarily display higher levels of stress, suggesting that how the bridle is used, and the rider’s ability to use it sensitively, plays a crucial role. Across all horses observed, mouth opening occurred in 100% of cases and tail swishing in 86.7%, highlighting the prevalence of conflict behaviours in competitive dressage generally.
Dr Sebastian McBride, senior lecturer in animal behaviour at Aberystwyth University and co-author of the study, said:“This research challenges the simplistic narrative that double bridles are inherently more harmful. What we found is a much more nuanced picture—bridle type interacts with rider skill, horse training, and even the horse’s head position during performance. It’s not just about the tack, but how it’s used and the rider using it.”
The findings arrive at a time of increasing public scrutiny over animal welfare in equestrian sport. At higher levels of dressage, the use of a double bridle is still mandatory - a rule that continues to spark debate among riders, trainers, and welfare advocates. The new evidence suggests that focusing on the equipment alone oversimplifies what is clearly a multifaceted welfare issue.
The researchers emphasise the importance of behavioural observation as a tool for assessing horse wellbeing. By identifying and analysing patterns of behaviour that signal discomfort, the study offers a foundation for future research into how competitive settings and rider techniques affect equine mental states.
Dr McBride added: “Trying to assess horses’ mental wellbeing is complex and needs a focus on the evidence. Our study adds to a growing body of research that supports more informed, welfare-conscious decision-making in equestrian sport.”
The research team also included Aberystwyth University graduates Rifka Faithfull and Emily Drury, alongside Dr Kate Lewis from the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Portsmouth.
In summary, the research highlights that bridle type alone does not determine a horse’s stress level in dressage. Instead, it is part of a wider picture involving how the horse is trained, ridden, and managed. Continued investigation into these complex interactions will be key to improving welfare standards in equestrian disciplines.
For more details, see:
Faithfull, Rifka, Kate Lewis, Emily Drury, and Sebastian McBride. 2025.
Influences of Double Versus Snaffle Bridles on Equine Behaviour at Dressage Competitions and Factors That Interact with Their Effect.
Animals15, no. 12: 1782.
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