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Author
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Topic: Curb Bit Mayhem!
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Bella
Member
Member # 1248
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posted May 11, 2004 01:02 PM
Alrighty, the other day (only the third or fourth time ive used this bit) I took Babe out into the ring in her western tack, with the curb bit. The bit has a low port and fairly curved shanks. Anyways, she started out perfectly and I though great! This bit works wonders with her! However after loping, things went upside down. Babe lost it. She kept ******** out, bucking, cutting her circles, going mega fast, and rearing. So i've come to the conclusion that this is NOT the bit for her. I think it is because she is just confused because it is sending her mixed signals. (I tried this bit out because it was recommended to me)
Anyways, my question is what kind of "Shanked Snaffle" do you all prefer? I'd really like to try one of them on her, since she obviously doesn't like the solid bit. What do you think of shanked snaffles that have a roller?
And for clarification, I would keep her on a snaffle bit forever if I could, but since she just turned 5 I have to get her used to a curb. Rules here are that horses up to 5 can show in snaffles, but after that must be ridden in a curb with one hand on the reins.
-Bella ![[Running Horse]](graemlins/horse.gif)
Posts: 159 | From: Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
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gallop3337
Member
Member # 509
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posted May 11, 2004 01:53 PM
I was under the impression that for showing in a curb (horses 5 and older) the mouth piece of the curb could not be broken. This could just be 4-H rules though. I don't have any suggestions for you because I have never used a broken mouth pieced curb, but I will tell you to stay away from the tom thumb. Hope you find the perfect bit for you and your horse.
OH and one more thing, did you make sure the bit properly fit? Did you check her teeth? The rearing is a sign of pain I would believe. Check these things out before you give up on the solid curb.
[ May 11, 2004, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: gallop3337 ]
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Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.
Posts: 359 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Aug 2003
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Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843
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posted May 11, 2004 02:04 PM
Argentina is excellent. it is broken in the middle, but is a curb bit that qualifies. Plus, there are rings up at the mouthpiece that are for use as a snaffle. You can school in a snaffle sometimes, and just drop to the shanks during serious work or shows.
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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!
Born Free Now Expensive
Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003
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Bella
Member
Member # 1248
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posted May 12, 2004 12:33 PM
Thanks to both of you.
Yes, I have heard horror stories about tom thumb bits, so I do not plan on going to one of them.
As for the curb itself, it fits Babe great, and she has had wolf teeth removed 3 years ago. Other than that I cannot see what might be bothering her. I might try lowering the bit by just one hole, and see if that has any effect.
Thanks again ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
-Bella
Posts: 159 | From: Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
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belle4
Member
Member # 864
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posted May 13, 2004 11:17 AM
This was taken from the AQHA web site. Most open shows and 4H follow these rules. You can show in a broken mouth piece with shanks and a curb chain if your horse needs to be ridden one handed(over 5 years old).
(2) Concerning mouthpieces, bars must be round, oval or
egg shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal of 5/16 to 3/4 (8 mm
to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1 (25 mm) from the cheek. They
may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may
protrude below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs
on solid mouthpieces. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4 (32 mm) or less in diameter,
or a connecting flat bar of to 3/8 to 3/4 (10mm to 20
mm)[measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2 (50
mm)], which lies flat in the horses mouth is acceptable.
(3) The port must be no higher than 3 1/2 (90 mm) maximum,
with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, halfbreeds
and spades are standard.
Something like this is acceptable.
[ May 13, 2004, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: belle4 ]
Posts: 1075 | From: michigan | Registered: Oct 2003
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AQHA1972
Member
Member # 1881
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posted May 13, 2004 11:24 AM
What are the horror stories behind the Tom Thumb? I use them a lot and was going to switch Timmy to one when the time comes. I've never had a problem with them, please fill me in.
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Christa
Posts: 539 | From: East Texas | Registered: Mar 2004
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belle4
Member
Member # 864
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posted May 13, 2004 11:36 AM
This is just my opinion. I have no horror stories about the Tom Thumb personally. When I see a Tom Thumb bit, (short, straight shanks) it screams out to me, beginner. It says someone told that person to go and buy a Tom Thumb because that is the only name of a bit that they know. Also, it is cheap, easy to find (every tack store carries one) and the standard first bit that everyone buys. The short, straight shanks are normally lipped by the horse. I think it looks silly in a horses mouth. Buy a quality bit, your horse will thank you.
Posts: 1075 | From: michigan | Registered: Oct 2003
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Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843
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posted May 13, 2004 12:07 PM
Many tom thumbs are thin, so they "bite" into the mouth much worse.
They work just like any other curb bit. They can be harsh in the wrong hands. Especially beginner hands.
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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!
Born Free Now Expensive
Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003
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AQHA1972
Member
Member # 1881
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posted May 13, 2004 12:43 PM
That makes since to me. I don't care for the look they have either, they kind of stick straight out. What would you suggest using when going from a snaffle to a bit? I would like to stick with something with a jointed mouthpiece.
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Christa
Posts: 539 | From: East Texas | Registered: Mar 2004
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Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843
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posted May 13, 2004 03:17 PM
The one belle posted is the one I have. YOu can use the snaffle ring for a while till he gets use to the bit itself, then move the reins down to the lower part (shanks) and teach him to respond to that. Plus like when you are off and playing, you don't HAVE to use the shanks if you don't want to. But you don't have to switch bits either.
Plus, it can come in 3 piece with a roller. That is actually the one I have.
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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!
Born Free Now Expensive
Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003
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Bella
Member
Member # 1248
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posted May 13, 2004 03:40 PM
Well I guess "horror storries' was a bit exaggerated, however I have read an article that totally turned me off of them. From what I hear, people either really like them, or really don't like them. I can't really say for sure, since I haven't personally tried one. But this article talked about how they put pressure on all sorts of different places at once, because of the design.. i'll have to dig it up and show you all.
Anyways, we do have one jointed curb that has a roller in it, I think I may try Babe on that one. See how she does I can't thank you guys enough for the help. ^^ I'm sure Babe will appreciate it too ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
-Bella
Posts: 159 | From: Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
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gallop3337
Member
Member # 509
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posted May 13, 2004 08:20 PM
Belle4, you are right about open and 4H shows allowing jointed curbs, I don't know what I was thinking ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
AQHA1972, here is a great article on why Tom Thumbs aren't a great bit.
http://www.markrashid.com/CTHArticleTroubleWithTomThumb.html
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Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.
Posts: 359 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Aug 2003
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