When to use a curb strap/chain on your horse?

Question

I am about to get my first horse (I'm an intermediate rider) and I am looking at 2 different bridles (I will post the link) I am unsure if I have to buy a curb strap/chain for them though? Also could someone please tell me what the curb strap/chain is actually for, and if it is mandatory?

Ok here are the links to the bridles
1) http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-WCR10.html
2) http://www.equineconnections.net/cliponbridle.htm

Answer 1

Don't get either. Invest in a Dr.Cooks bitless bridle. It will cost around 150.00. You can get them by googling it. You will never regret it!!! I've used one on my little Arabian horse for a year. She accepted it right away. It uses pressure points to guide your horse. Teach your horse to go off leg cues, weight shifts, and voice commands for basic control. The less pain (and yes. riding all day with a bit and curb strap will make your horses mouth sore. Try putting one in your mouth and have someone pulling on it all day. Pain could make your horse bolt or buck so the age old theroy of needing a sever bit to stop a hard to stop horse is bogus.With this brible you ARE fully in control and I've used it on green horses with no problems. I would recommend that you use this bridle in the arena until YOUR confidence is raised...the horses will be just fine. Then go out on the trails. I love it and I'm never going back to the bit!

Answer 2

It looks like the second link (the clip on) uses a curb strap and the first does not. You can add a curb strap to most any wester bridle if you find you need the extra control, though.

It works like this:
the curb strap is attached to the bit rings behind the horses mouth, and the reins are attached to the end of the bit shank. Because the reins are attached down the bit shank instead of right at the horses mouth, this type of bit applies leverage, tightening the curb strap at the same time pressure is put on the mouth. This also tightens the crown piece behind the ears at the same time.

Curb bits are usually for riders who have very steady hands and want to ride one handed (western). In english riding, curb bits are used in upper level dressage.

Here is an article about curb bits. http://www.appaloosajournal.com/magazine/horsekeeping/curb_bits.html

Have a lot fun with your new horse!

Answer 3

The idea of the curb strap is to either apply leverage in a shanked or leverage bit (the traditional western shank bit, kimberwick, and the curb portion of a double bridle), or to keep a snaffle from sliding through the mouth in bridles without nosebands. The second are traditionally only required on Western bridles. Both of the bridles you have selected will require a curb strap or chain. Depending on the type of bit you will be using, it will be for different purposes, but since neither has a true noseband, they will require something to keep the bridle from sliding through the mouth. My "western" bridle has a snaffle bit, leather curb, slobbers (shown in the second choice you listed, the clip on training bridle) and mecate reins and I love it. If you haven't used a rope halter such as the one shown in that second choice, I would recommend the traditional headstall in your first option. Not that the second is a bad bridle, but without a halter under it, it won't be safe, and it looks as thought it would work best with that type of halter (a rope "natural horsemanship" type). Best of luck with your new horse :) And if you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 4

The curb chain applies pressure to the curb groove under a horse's chin when the curb rein of the bit is used. When the curb rein is pulled, the shank of the bit rotates back towards the chest of the horse and the cheek (upper shank) of the bit rotates forward (since it is a lever arm). The curb chain is attached to the rings at the end of the cheek, so, as the cheek moves forward, the chain is pulled and tightened in the curb groove. Once it comes in contact with the curb groove of the horse it acts as a fulcrum, causing the cannons of the bit mouthpiece to push down onto the horse's bars, thus amplifing the bit's pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth.

Answer 5

Ok, all these answers are great. However, they fail to mention the fact that it really does not matter which bridle. Whether or not you use a curb chain depends on the type of bit you use. For instance, you wouldn't use it with a simple, D-Ring snaffle, but you would use it with a Pelham, or a Tom-Thumb. So, my advice would be, ask a local tack shop or trainer, as they will have the best advice pertaining to the specific bit you buy.

Answer 6

A snaffle bit has no shanks, so a scale down strap on a snaffle bit would not "tell" the pony something, this is, it would not positioned rigidity on the pony in any respect. the objective of a scale down strap (or chin strap) is to easily save the bit from slipping interior the process the pony's mouth from one area to the different. If a horse gapes lots (opens the mouth very huge) and there isn't any scale down (chin) strap, the bit can flow interior the process the mouth and finally end up on the different area. So, you utilize a scale down (chin ) strap. For snaffles: Egg Butt D-Ring complete Cheek something this is broken interior the middle and would not have shanks you need to use a scale down strap. For safety reasons. You on no account be conscious of in the journey that your horse would open the mouth huge sooner or later and the bit can get lodged interior the mouth or finally end up on the area of the pony's face. It does take place. you need to use a leather-based chin strap no longer a sequence strap. The strap would desire to be loose. sufficient that it in simple terms hangs there, yet no longer sufficient that the pony can %. it up and positioned it in her mouth (some horses elect to play with the chin straps)

Answer 7

Saddles are the key feature. Even though you have enough
or even young professional amount of training, the horse is
somewhat responsive to its history breed and exploring area.
The chain strap bit is used when there are dangerous, or even
very poor conditions like gravel slides, or ravines. Obvious
response is trained into your horse and would then mean this
is very cautious area. Have such a strap chain is okay. If you
ride in general trail, and sweepstakes fashion the training is
not recommended. For jumping horses this is not a simple
training, say 5 years of senior olympics. The regular bits have
lots of special designs and this is very important to decide, to
learn, and even to explore various riding activities. Here is an
old site to read. http://www.adairmag.com/games
http://www.olympic-usa.org