What makes a curb bit?

[OneGrayPony]

I am considering aiming my new quarter horse for the Ranch Pleasure class, as he is a bit small (15.3h) for HUS (his former job) and he loves his western saddle and really just changes into a happier horse (I think he may have been bored just going along the rail).

Anyhow, he has always been ridden in a snaffle, but he does neck rein. He is old enough that he has to be on a curb bit, but he has an incredibly good mouth and needs very little to “stop”. When looking to transition him to a curb, all the recommendations say to use an “argentine” snaffle, which to my English eyes, looks very much like a broken-jointed curb bit.

So, in a show, what makes a curb a curb? Do I have to go to a grazer or Mullen mouth bit? Or are the shanks and chinstrap “enough” to make it a curb? And what’s the gentlest curb? This horse stops from body language alone (stopping is his favorite gear) so I really don’t need anything in his mouth at all, but for the fact that he is 8, so he needs a curb by the rules.

[craz4crtrs]

A curb has shanks regardless of the mouthpiece, so an Argentine is a curb.

Borrow a few bits and see what he likes. My mare likes a little mullen mouth curb, and really loves an Argentine I had from another horse. Some horses like swivels and movement in the bit, some hate it.

The longer the shanks, the more leverage, the shorter the shanks the quicker it engages. Do use a curb strap, it would be required anyway in a competition and I don’t have a clue why some people don’t put one on. Start with a leather curb strap.

Have fun with your horse.

[craz4crtrs]

Also, do NOT use a Tom Thumb, it is not an Argentine. The shanks and the puchase (part above the bit your bridle hooks to) is too straight and they pinch.

[OneGrayPony]

Thanks! I got confused when I saw them listed as “snaffles” and thought perhaps I ought to check before I do something wrong!

[SuckerForHorses]

A curb has shanks regardless of the mouthpiece

And a curb chain (or leather curb strap)

The curb refers to the action, not the mouthpiece itself (which is why you can have a curb with a broken/jointed mouthpiece)

Tom Thumbs are CRAP CRAP CRAP…long ago when I didn’t know any better, I used them. Once I increased my knowledge about bits, I threw mine away, didn’t even try to sell them, figured not passing them on may save a poor horse’s mouth somewhere from their nutcracker effect. :no:

[SuckerForHorses]

I would try a few out.

My gelding HATES solid curbs (like this: http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=curb+bits&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=zLqaQS3YrQrXKM&tbnid=hEFirUV5Lt6MSM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.workinghorsetack.com%2Fstore%2Fmcart.php%3FID%3D279&ei=J7-cUbfJF--K0QHw-YHYAg&bvm=bv.46751780,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNGZG4cMcCHGFZzsNQ1fZBy2YRKdMQ&ust=1369313444765639)

He loves this bit (and this is what I show him in): http://www.toklat.com/dyn_prod.php?p=89-20015&k=87952

My mare is the total opposite, she is ridden in the bit pictured in the first link, and HATES the broken mouthpiece of the bit in my second link.

[craz4crtrs]

My mare decided she likes this one, she doesn’t like busy bits.
http://weaverleather.shptron.com/p/professional-antiqued-argentine-bit-5-sweet-iron-polished-snaffle-mouth-with-copper-inlay?pp=8 and my gelding likes something like this with as low a port as possible. http://weaverleather.shptron.com/p/professional-thin-style-shank-bit-with-5-sweet-iron-medium-port-mouth-2?pp=8 Neither like this one, too much going on with the bit. Both horses decided this bit, while having lots of tongue relief, was too busy and seemed more severe to my sensitive mouthed horses. http://www.kotrading.com/230600-partradestainlesssteelbrushedfuturitysshankbit.aspx

[ezduzit]

I think Tom Thumbs are the nastiest bits out there. My horse like a grazing bit, very low port, medium length shanks (4 inches, maybe?) and a pretty loose chin chain. Like your horse, he has a very good whoa. “hup” voice command is enough for a downward transition.

[QUOTE=craz4crtrs;6992715]
Also, do NOT use a Tom Thumb, it is not an Argentine. The shanks and the puchase (part above the bit your bridle hooks to) is too straight and they pinch.[/QUOTE]

[OneGrayPony]

Thanks guys! Much appreciated. I know about the Tom Thumb very well, since a lot of people in this area mistakenly use them as pelhams on English horses.

I think I have a very low ported grazer somewhere that a horse came in, and I was thinking of trying the Myler that SuckerForHorses’ gelding uses, because he is so sensitive (I’m wondering if he hates tongue pressure).

He is so sensitive that I just shift my weight for a halt or gear shift down, and I don’t have to use any rein at all for basic steering, other than to move a shoulder etc. for turn on the forehand or haunches, or a setup for a lead. He also listens to words like “oh crap” when my phone falls out of my pocket while cantering and he puts on the brakes laughing Which might be handy (or not) in the case of a partial fall

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=OneGrayPony;6992895]
Thanks guys! Much appreciated. I know about the Tom Thumb very well, since a lot of people in this area mistakenly use them as pelhams on English horses.

I think I have a very low ported grazer somewhere that a horse came in, and I was thinking of trying the Myler that SuckerForHorses’ gelding uses, because he is so sensitive (I’m wondering if he hates tongue pressure).

He is so sensitive that I just shift my weight for a halt or gear shift down, and I don’t have to use any rein at all for basic steering, other than to move a shoulder etc. for turn on the forehand or haunches, or a setup for a lead. He also listens to words like “oh crap” when my phone falls out of my pocket while cantering and he puts on the brakes laughing Which might be handy (or not) in the case of a partial fall :D[/QUOTE]

Try the grazing bit first. Some horse love the Mylers, I have been using one on my mare, but now she is more sensitive to the bit and she can’t tolerate the swivel of the Myler. She likes her Myler loose ring, but can get fussy and pull on her Myler Comfort snaffle. It worked well for quite a while, but she has decided she doesn’t like any movement of the bit in her mouth, a plain snaffle mouthpiece she is happy with and also likes a mullen mouth or solid very low port. Every horse is different.

[Pocket_Pony]

What is a grazing bit?

[ezduzit]

Like this:
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Akw3ZguvIxSWXArmK93DDxybvZx4?fr=yfp-t-900-s&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=grazing%20bits%20for%20horses

[ezduzit]

Had to laugh at your “Oh crap” story. Sometimes I say “whoa” when I loose my balance a little. And we do!