| In an earlier article about horse riding equipment, I | | | | rider holds both reins in one hand, just above the horn |
| discussed various snaffle bits. With snaffle bits, the | | | | of the western saddle, and moves his hand slightly one |
| reins of the bridle are attached to the bit rings at the | | | | way or the other to indicate which way to go. With |
| corner of the horses' mouth and you, the rider, have | | | | well trained horses, the rider's weight influences this |
| DIRECT contact with his mouth. Curb bits work | | | | guidance as much or more than the rein. This is much |
| differently from that. In this article I will discuss the | | | | different than direct reining, where the rider holds one |
| horse riding equipment of the curb bit. | | | | rein in each hand and uses his right hand to go right |
| Curb bits have shanks that attach to the mouthpiece | | | | and his left hand to go left. |
| and extend down the sides of the horse's face from | | | | The severity of the curb is based on several variables: |
| that point. At the end of the shank are the rings that | | | | 1. The longer the shank, the more leverage is created |
| the reins attach to. Rather than having direct contact | | | | and therefore the more severe the bit can be. |
| with the corners of the horse's mouth, you have | | | | 2. The tighter the curb chain, the more pressure will be |
| indirect contact between your hands and the ends of | | | | felt by the horse when the rider uses the rein. When |
| these shanks. We attach a curb chain or strap on | | | | the curb chain is loose, the shank comes back farther |
| either side of the mouthpiece near the corners of the | | | | when the rider pulls the rein. The horse does not feel |
| mouth. When the rider pulls back on the reins the curb | | | | the pressure on his chin area as soon or as much. |
| chain tightens and exerts pressure under the horse's | | | | When the chain is tightened, the shank does not come |
| mouth. This horse riding equipment design creates | | | | back as far and more pressure is felt sooner with this |
| leverage, which means the amount of pressure the | | | | adjustment. |
| rider exerts on the reins translates into exponentially | | | | 3. The size of the port also affects the severity of the |
| more pressure felt by the horse. | | | | bit. The port is the area in the middle of the mouthpiece |
| You can see that it is much different to turn a horse to | | | | that is usually slightly raised. The higher the port, the |
| the right or left with a curb bit because you do not | | | | more severe the bit. |
| have direct contact. Pulling back on one curb shank | | | | Before selecting a curb bit as your horse riding |
| rein to guide the horse will just cause the curb chain to | | | | equipment, seek guidance from a professional who is |
| tighten and squeeze his jaw without telling him which | | | | familiar with your horse. Remember, you and your |
| way to go! Instead, horses being ridden with a curb bit | | | | horse must know (or be taught) how to neck rein. |
| must be taught to "neck rein". The horse learns to | | | | Furthermore, you do not want to risk getting a bit that |
| move away from pressure he feels when a rein is | | | | is too severe for your horse. With the wrong bit, you |
| placed against his neck. When he feels the left rein on | | | | could get yourself in trouble! |
| his neck, he moves to the right and vice versa. The | | | | |