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History
The double bridle was used historically for fighting on horseback, allowing the rider to hold a weapon in one hand and the reins in the other. The contemporary double bridle is accredited to Colonel Spohr and Richard Schoenback with the noseband designed to re-create the caveson used by old masters.
2 and 2 Method
The standard "2 and 2" method for holding the reins of the double bridle is to hold the left bridoon and curb rein in the left hand and the right bridoon and the right curb rein in the right hand. From the bottom up is the snaffle rein, then the little finger and the curb rein. The two reins will have crossed over.
3 and 1 Method
The classic "3 and 1" method for holding the reins of the double bridle is where three reins are held in the left hand, from bottom up, the left snaffle, the little finger, the left curb, the ring ringer and then the right curb. The right hand would hold the right bridoon rein and the whip. In this hold, the left hand should be centrally located over the withers.
Fillis Method
The third holding option, the "Fillis" method, involves holding the reins with the left bridoon and curb in the left hand with the curb rein under the little finger, coming up through the hand. The bridoon rein comes over the top of the fist and then travels down through the hand.
Spanish Riding School Method
In the right hand, the snaffle is held under the ring finger and the rein is held under the thumb. The left hand has the snaffle under the ring finger, the right curb under the middle finger and the left curb under the first finger. All three reins are held by the thumb.