Which curb chain hooks are the safest for the horse?
I have seen tiny screw-links. But a real PIA to open and close every day. For me, I pinch it closed enough to get the link in but not any more than that. And I twist it so it opens to the outside not against his cheek.
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My trainer has us use the Uber-Reiter neoprene curb chain cover…we cut it in half and put one on each side of where you hook the curb chain up. It snaps on. I get them from The Horse of Course at shows but maybe you can order them online.
There was a topic somewhere on here recently about this and apparently there are tiny carabiner type connectors that I thought looked really interesting.
I have not heard about any injuries from curb chain hooks. What problem are you trying to address? I have used flat one, pictured above, and prefer them, but currently using the curved ones and have not had any problems.
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I am not sure what OPs concern is but I have seen horses get a curb hook caught on clothes.
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Rider’s clothing? Horses in bridles, double or snaffle, need to be closely supervised. I have seen horses lower their heads to rub their noses on their legs step on reins or a loosened flash.
Yes, riders clothing. Horse wasn’t rubbing his head, just turned to look at something and accidentally bushed the riders shirt. Horse was appropriately supervised.
Yes, I use the small caribiners on my curb chains. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I tried those Sprenger curb chain links pictured above and wasn’t a huge fan, they are just kind of obnoxious to manipulate for my hands (surgery issues). Also, a couple European drivers told me they were really not a fan of them because they stretched out (which is sad because they come on a lot of driving bits). Now I admit I’m not sure how they could stretch out, but then again, when you are driving a team of four through a hazard, things get a little powerful!
I do like the idea of those carabiners though!
Using caribiners instead of hooks may not be legal, check with USEF. I haveseen a curb hook closed up on one side also some people tape the top of the curb hook to keep chain from coming off and/or catching on things.
Same here. That was my first thought when I read the original post. I use the regular, forward facing curb hooks and use a neoprene cover for the curb chain. Never any problem. Of course, any horse must be properly supervised and handled correctly while wearing a double bridle. No face rubbing for sure. The first thing I remove, when untacking, is the bridle.
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Just to highlight that it isn’t just curb chain hooks that are a problem…anyone aware of potential problems with full-cheek snaffle bits?
I heard of a young rider at a H/J show getting the harness of her helmet snagged by the cheek pieces on a full-cheek snaffle when the horse tried to rub its face on her back.
Fortunately the horse did not freak out…but it could have easily gone bad.
Did this happen in the absence of bit keepers? I’ve seen many H/J riders use full cheek bits and not bother with bit keepers. Always struck me as dangerous as the ends of the bit could stick out and get caught on things but also untidy.
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The short answer is, “I don’t recall.” This was over +30 years ago…it was just impressive sight.
I bring up the full-cheek question because the bit my current horse has decided he likes is a simple-jointed full-cheek snaffle. I use bit keepers, but I always keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t go sniffing in the wrong place so the cheeks don’t get caught on anything. Even with keepers, the cheeks have potential to snag something.
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Interesting thought that I had not considered.
Why might they not be legal?
USEF Rule book; Curb chain hooks can be fixed or not fixed. The curb chain may never be so tightly fixed as to harm the horse. BOD 3/9/20 Effective 4/1/20
I don’t know how the caribiners were going to be used, were the curb hooks removed and replaced with them? For example you cannot remove the hooks and replace them with a western style strap.
