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Expert
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Location: WI | How do you decide what curb strap to use on a bit? How would you rate them, harshest to mildest? I'm getting my 2nd Elliott bit and need help to pick one out. Usually, I just use the chains that come with standard bits, but Dave ships his without. |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
 
Location: SW North Dakota | You might have to try a few. I think people really overlook the different feel and response of curbs. I have one Elliot with a chain and one with leather. Same with the Ed Wright bits- I have a rolled rawhide curb that I really like. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | Generally I like a double chain curb with leather or biothane straps... but every once in a while I get a horse who can't handle a chain curb or needs a bit more bite then I'll switch to a single chain or a leather. It depends on the horse/bit combo I find. But I do start all with a double chain :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | ND3canAddict - 2016-12-08 9:14 AM
You might have to try a few. I think people really overlook the different feel and response of curbs. I have one Elliot with a chain and one with leather. Same with the Ed Wright bits- I have a rolled rawhide curb that I really like.Â
I would like to get a rolled rawhide to try! I'm thinking it would be an in between to a leather and a double chain?? |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | jschipper - 2016-12-08 10:29 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-12-08 9:14 AM You might have to try a few. I think people really overlook the different feel and response of curbs. I have one Elliot with a chain and one with leather. Same with the Ed Wright bits- I have a rolled rawhide curb that I really like. I would like to get a rolled rawhide to try! I'm thinking it would be an in between to a leather and a double chain??
It's got a little more bite than a double chain, probably more between a double chain and single. Feels "slower" than a single chain, but a lot snappier than a double. Also, I adjust it a little tighter than a chain. I feel like I know where my hands are, so I like a quicker response- which is the same reason I don't prefer a lot of gag action. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | ND3canAddict - 2016-12-08 9:49 AM
jschipper - 2016-12-08 10:29 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-12-08 9:14 AM You might have to try a few. I think people really overlook the different feel and response of curbs. I have one Elliot with a chain and one with leather. Same with the Ed Wright bits- I have a rolled rawhide curb that I really like. I would like to get a rolled rawhide to try! I'm thinking it would be an in between to a leather and a double chain??
interesting! thank you for sharing!!! |
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I was reading some horsemanship article years ago by a vaquero guy (totally blanking on his name) about the transitioning of a horse from snaffle to bosal to shanked/ported bits. He discussed curb straps, saying to think of them as leverage for your bit, not brakes. Also that it's confusing for a horse to get the downward pressure on it's mouth from a bit and the upward pressure on it's chin from a single chain curb at the same time. That the horse often won't know which pressure to get away from, so they just stick their nose out. That made sense to me so I have went to either leather curb straps or flatter double chain curbs on everything (especially ported bits) It's worked well except for a mare I bought this summer that is really chargey, fast and strong. And honestly those curbs would probably work for her too if I rode her better. Not saying there isn't a place for a single chain curb but it made me re-evaluate just automatically sticking a single chain curb on everything. |
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Expert
Posts: 1509
Location: TN | I have wanted a discussion like this for awhile!
I'm a big Kathy James bit fan. I have like every mouth piece and I've been dying to play around this leather, verse chain, or just a twine string/rope as a crub but I'm too scared to mess with thigns too much. I've got a colt that is really "touchy feely" about thigns tho and I'm totally wondering if changing the curb to leather may be a better choice for her. |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | Along with what Dr. J is saying- I think they have to have a certain level of education and "brokeness" before a change in curb straps does you much good... otherwise they'll just evade it anyway. I usually do start with leather and a couple fingers gap. In a gag bit, adjusting your curb is part of the function that stops the slide and engages the bit. In a ring or dee snaffle, all it does is keep the bit from running through the mouth- there's no leverage (fulcrum). I'm sure there is a good article that's easier to understand what I'm saying, but basically your curb functions differently and provides a different response with a selection of bits... which might help as you chose a starting point in your selection process. |
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Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | ND3canAddict - 2016-12-08 1:04 PM
Along with what Dr. J is saying- I think they have to have a certain level of education and "brokeness" before a change in curb straps does you much good... otherwise they'll just evade it anyway. I usually do start with leather and a couple fingers gap. In a gag bit, adjusting your curb is part of the function that stops the slide and engages the bit. In a ring or dee snaffle, all it does is keep the bit from running through the mouth- there's no leverage (fulcrum). I'm sure there is a good article that's easier to understand what I'm saying, but basically your curb functions differently and provides a different response with a selection of bits... which might help as you chose a starting point in your selection process.Â
Yes, agreed! I did find that switching to leather curbs on ported bits and gag bits made the biggest difference. They felt more responsive to the bit, but in both bit types the curb is helping to engage the bit/port. That makes sense to not have a curb "bite" them and distract from the bit function. |
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