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Show Wednesday, June 19, 1974 HORSES siCUunof Page 21 CURBS AND BITS Linda Powell Before we begin to discuss the types of curbs, it is important that we know the sensitive points of pressure which contribute to the control of your horse. The seven points of control are : 1. Bars - the portions of the jaw bones which lie inside mouth and between the incisor and the molar. Between these two teeth there are none and the skin that lines this area is very sensitive. 2. Curb groove - the portion right behind the fleshy part of the lip, where the curb strap is located. 3. Lips - are made of thinly lined skin and are very sensitive to pressure. The snaffle works more on the lips than the curbs. 4. Boll - the top of the horses head just behind the ears, where the headstall sits. It is important that the headstall and bit are adjusted correctly for each other as they were meant to complement each other for the best results. 5. Nose - is used as a point of control when using a hackamore or bosal, which operate solely on the horses nose, which is an extremely sensitive area. 6. Tongue - is also very sensitive and while bits may vary in their design, they all will put a certain amount of pressure on the tongue. 7. Lower jaw - on each side of the lower jaw there is only a thin layer of skin that covers the bone. This area can be rubbed raw very easily if great care is not taken in the use of the bosal or hackamore. The curb bit operates effectively when using the horses mouth as a fulcrum point by putting pressure on the ball which is the top of the ses head, and the curb groom which is just between the jaw bones on the underside of the horses head. This is also the proper location for the curb strap (chin strap). In this area, I notice more curb bits than any other kind. This is due to a couple of reasons : 1. More people ride Western in this area . 2 There are many varieties of the curb. The simplest foriyi of the curb bit is a straight bar which fits in the horses mouth and applies equal pressure everywhere. The more complicated curbs have what is known as a port or bump in the bar which is capable of exerting much more pressure than the straight curb. The wider the port, the lighter the pressure, as it is distributed over a larger surface. The narrower the port, the greater the pressure. The height of the port will vary the degree of pressure, too. Naturally, the smaller the port, the less pressure there will be and the pressure increases with the height of the port. There are many popular curbs for riding. A few of them are : 1. A curb with a very small and wide port which has short sidepieces or shanks. This is a very simple bit and is not considered to be severe. 2. A grazing curb has a mild port with long shanks which make it possible for the horse to eat while bridled. This bit, however, is a good example of an extreme shape which causes the horse to carry its head high andextended, as that position is the most comfortable. There are two companies that make a bit which has interchangeable parts, so you can experiment with them and find the one which works best for you and your horse. The curb they make comes in about seven different types, ranging from a straight curb to a cricket, which is a curb with a roller directly under the port which moves with the horses tongue. Many show horses use curbs of this type as it is extremely important that the show horse appears calm and obedient. This bit makes a noise like a cricket when the horse plays with it, and this noise and movement seem to pacify many horses. The movement of the cricket also helps a horse to have a wet mouth which allows the bit to work easier on the horse. Chin straps or curb straps are very important in the effectiveness of the bit. The two go together. There are curb straps made of chain (single link and double link). The single, even though most popular, has a tendency to rub and pinch, whereas the double does not and is not as severe. The mildest curb strap is made of flat leather and will not pinch. It is important to remember that the curb strap should be adjusted so that about two fingers will fit between the chin and the strap. Too loose a strap will not hold the bit correctly in place, perhaps causing banging in the horses mouth and loss of control. On the other hand, too tight a curb strap will be too severe and will cause the bit to bind and not sit properly. that it lubricates the mouth and keeps the bit from grabbing. 3. If you find the bit you are using is losing its effectiveness, try adchin justing your straps, or try changing types. If this does not work, to work is a controlled area such as an arena. Go over horse try your your training program, try to give your horse a refresher course 4. If you find you arent making progress with this, then try a different bit, but try to borrow several kinds; dont buy one until you feel it will work for your horse. 5. Important in using any bit is that it fits correctly - not only in size (width), but also in the headstall. Bits, too, come in various sizes and you should be sure the sides of the bit do not squeeze the sides of the mouth. Also, the mouthpiece should not be so wide that it slides from side to side. To fit the bit correctly in the mouth, it should meet the corners of the mouth and not slide down. If it does, the bit will bang the teeth, and hurt the horse. The bit could get under the tongue, too, and this could make the horse hard to control and hard to bridle next time. 6.- JThe key to using any bit is in the hands of the rider. Too much muscle at the wrong time can ruin a horse, making it d You want to use the least amount of pressure in working a and bit. Jerking and pulling should never be done. 7. Last but not least, never tie a horse with the reins of any bridle, whether it be with a bit or a hackamore or bosal. If you need to tie, carry a good halter and a good lead rope. And tie to something safe and hard-mouthe- bit-sou- r. unbreakable. .- As in anything, the correct usage of equipment is very important. Here are a few guidelines : 1. Try to use the least severe but most effective bit possible. 2. Try to use a bit that has a copper mouthpiece, as copper seems to . induce salivating. A wet mouth increases the effectiveness of the bit in ( &oger Jollp For those who t know don us... The building now named the JOLLY ROGER was built in 1892 and was called the Evanston Mill & Elevator Co., and was used for milling flour. 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