Horse Riding Equipment Home
HORSE RIDING EQUIPMENT – THE CURB BIT EXPLAINED
Horse Riding Equipment – there are many areas that I can focus on when it comes to horse riding equipment but today I’m going share some important information about curb bits.
Check out my site for many great buys on all types of "Horse Riding Equipment".
Remember, with snaffle bits, the reins of the bridle are attached to the bit rings at the corner of the horses’ mouth and you, the rider, have DIRECT contact with his mouth.
 |
 Show Bit Dotted Copper Inlay Mouth Horse 7 1 2 Star  US $43.99
|
 Antique Cowboy Horse Bit Arizona Western Bit Texas US $30.00
|
 Long Shank Show Snaffle Bit Horse Tack 5 Mouth Silver US $53.00
|
 Coffee Table Book Horse Bits Spurs Makers Cowboy Silver US $84.99
|
 Civil War Era Horse Tack Guide Military Saddle Bits Etc US $39.95
|
 Draft horse 65 butterfly curb bit copper mouth US $39.99
|
 Draft horse 65 D ring snaffle bit with copper rollers US $38.00
|
 Unique Collectible Crockett Renalde Aluminum Horse Bit US $43.50
|
 Draft horse 65 stainless steel Tom Thumb bit US $34.99
|
Curb bits work differently from that. Rather, curb bits have shanks that extend from the mouthpiece down the sides of the horse’s mouth from that point.
At the end of the shank are the rings that the reins attach to. Rather than having direct contact with the corners of the horse’s mouth, you have indirect contact between your hands and the ends of these shanks.
We attach a curb chain or strap on either side of the mouthpiece near the corners of the mouth. When the rider pulls back on the reins the curb chain tightens and exerts pressure under the horse’s mouth.
|
 TWO TONE CHERRY BARREL HORSE SADDLE W TACK 17 US $299.99
|
 Three Stall Horse Stables with 6 Tack Room INSTALLED US $6,164.00 |
 CARAMEL CORDURA SYN WESTERN PLSR HORSE SADDLE TACK 15 US $136.99
|
 NEW CHERRY FLWR WESTERN PLEASURE HORSE SADDLE TACK 15 US $174.99
|
 BLACK STAR SYNTH WESTERN PLSR HORSE SADDLE TACK 17 US $136.99
|
 TAN CARVED ROPING WESTERN HORSE SADDLE 15 W TACK US $229.99
|
 NATURAL ROPING WESTERN HORSE SADDLE 15 W TACK US $199.99
|
 NATURAL BIG HORN ROPER WESTERN HORSE SADDLE 17 W TACK US $199.99
|
 TAN BASKT WESTERN PLSR WESTERN HORSE SADDLE 16 W TACK US $189.99
|
This design creates leverage, which means the amount of pressure the rider exerts on the reins translates into exponentially more pressure felt by the horse.
You can see that it is much different to turn a horse to the right or left with a curb bit because you do not have direct contact.
Pulling back on one curb shank rein to guide the horse will just cause the curb chain to tighten and squeeze his jaw without telling him which way to go! Instead, horses being ridden with a curb bit alone must be taught to "neck rein"m which is what you see in the Western riding disciplines.
The horse learns to move away from the pressure he feels when a rein is placed against his neck. When he feels the left rein on his neck, he moves to the right and vice versa. The rider holds both reins in one hand, just above the horn of the western saddle, and moves his hand slightly one way or the other to indicate which way to go. This is much different than direct reining, where the rider holds one rein in each hand and uses his right hand to go right and his left hand to go left.
|
|
TWO TONE CHERRY BARREL HORSE SADDLE W TACK 17 US $299.99
|
 15 WESTERN HORSE SUPPLE LEATHER PLEASURE TRAIL SADDLE US $269.99
|
TAN CARVED ROPING WESTERN HORSE SADDLE 15 W TACK US $229.99
|
 Western Cutting Horse Saddle 17 US $510.00
|
 Tan PINK Bling Western Show Trail Saddle 14 Horse 4pc US $284.00
|
 DELUX 16 WESTERN ENDURANCE WESTERN TRAIL HORSE SADDLE US $279.99
|
 15 PORTER WESTERN WADE ROPING RANCH HORSE ROPER SADDLE US $429.99
|
 PARADE OF WESTERN HORSE SHOW PARADE SADDLE 17 SET US $299.99
|
 16 WESTERN PLEASURE CUTTER CUTTING EQUINE HORSE SADDLE US $309.99
|
The Severity of the Curb is Based On Several Variables:
1. The longer the shank, the more leverage is created and therefore the more severe the bit can be.
2. The tighter the curb chain, the more pressure will be felt by the horse when the rider uses the rein. When the curb chain is loose, the shank comes back farther when the rider pulls the rein. The horse does not feel the pressure on his chin area as soon or as much. When the chain is tightened, the shank does not come back as far and more pressure is felt sooner with this adjustment.
3. The size of the port also affects the severity of the bit. The port is the area in the middle of the mouthpiece that is usually slightly raised. The higher the port, the more severe the bit.
Before selecting a curb bit for your horse, seek guidance from a professional who is familiar with your horse.
|
 Kieffer Wein dressage saddle narrow tree US $295.00
|
 New Kentaur Medea II Dressage Saddle 175 Medium Black US $750.00
|
 Stubben Avalon Dressage Saddle US $1,500.00
|
 BATES WINTEC PRO DRESSAGE SADDLE 17 WIDE PACKAGE US $150.00
|
 BREYER RESIN STONE BLK DRESSAGE SADDLE BRIDLE LSQ MNT US $349.99
|
 Wintec 500 Dressage Saddle 17 US $450.00
|
 Sommer Saddle Kieffer Barnsby Aurigan Dressage Package US $1,300.00
|
 Dressage Saddle Windsor Olympian 175 Med tree US $600.00
|
 Prestige Optimax Dressage SaddleSize 18 33 US $2,250.00
|
Remember, you and your horse must know (or be taught) how to neck rein if you are riding with a curb bit alone. Furthermore, you do not want to risk getting a bit that is too severe for your horse. With the wrong bit, you could get yourself in trouble!
For more information about horse bits, horse equipment and horse saddles check out my other sites at www.ridingsaddlesguide.com, www.dressagesaddlesguide.com and www.equestriantackguide.com
I hope that helps!
Lisa Blackstone
American Horse Association
www.AHAHelpDesk.com/support
Watch my video on neck reining at http://www.HorseAndRiderClub.com
Comments on this entry are closed.