Leading into Proper Western Tack with a Bit of an Issue

Pun intended.

A horse's bit is usually one of the first things people think of when they are having problems with their horse. Sometimes it is, but it's usually a combination of issues. (Saddle fit, needing a chiropractor, until eventually, eventually the rider looks at herself.)

Bits are important in the showring because they can definitely get you DQ'ed from a class if you're riding your horse in something that The Big Dogs deem illegal. (Think AQHA.)

Ready, Set, Start Your Printers....The Handy Dandy Wabbity Guide Bits!
Step One - Get Your Bit.
Step Two - Look at your bit closely.
Step Three - Ask yourself, "How old is Ol' Paint?" If he is five or older (by January 1, not his actual birthday) he needs to be in a curb bit. If he is four or under, he may be shown in a snaffle or a more stylish bosal.

So, what is the difference between a snaffle and a curb? Simply, a curb bit applies leverage. The reins and headstall attach to the bit in different slots or holes. The curb bit requires a curb strap or chain. Some horses do not need an actual chain and a plain leather curb strap will work. The general rule for the tightness of a curb strap is that you can put three fingers easily between the strap/chain and your horse's jaw when it is loose. The curb bit is made of a purchase (the part above the mouthpiece), the shank (often refered to as the entire "side" of the bit), and the mouthpiece. Curb bits apply pressure to the horse's poll, bars, and jaw. Examples of curb bits: Tom Thumbs (more on them in another post), Kimberwicke, Grazing Bits, Correction Bits...etc, etc, etc. Anything with leverage where the headstall and reins attach to different holes is a curb bit.

A snaffle comes in many varieties. They can have smooth mouthpieces, slow twists, corkscrew, twisted wire, French Links, Dr. Bristols...etc. They can have O-rings, D-Rings, Egg-Butt Rings, Full Cheek....etc. All that counts toward the bit being a snaffle is that the headstall and reins attach into the same continuous ring. The only snaffle bit that is deemed as a western-type snaffle is an O-Ring.

A snaffle bit requires the person to ride with two hands. A curb bit requires the person to ride one-handed. Some open shows may allow you to ride with two hands, but two-handing in a curb bit will keep you out of the ribbons in a Quarter Horse or APHA Show. When riding with a curb, the person should have only one finger between the reins and any more than that is a disqualification. Typically, Western horses are not shown in snaffle bits - unless they are Foundation Quarter Horse of course! Junior horses are shown in bosals. Bosals also require the horse to be ridden with two hands. The mecate should be properly tied . Bosals are more stylish and are the "it" item for Junior horses for various reasons.

The Rules for AQHA can be viewed at www.aqha.com.

A horse going in a curb bit on a loose rein shows brokeness. So, so many times I here "He goes so well in a snaffle, I've never thought of moving him to a harsher curb bit. Why would I want to?"

Here is the snarky brutally honest person coming out: IT SHOWS BROKENESS. Why, why, why would anyone go to look at a nine year old going in only a snaffle? I sure know that when I am cruising the classifieds looking for a horse, the horse that is "Super Gentle on the Trails! Bombproof!" and in a snaffle is skipped right over. A horse that goes well in a curb can go well in a snaffle too. If you want to ride him in a snaffle, it should be the same as riding him in a curb. Maybe it's because when you have a curb bit, your horse might flip over on top of you while you have a death grip on his face. I really don't know. In my opinion if the horse is four years old and going to be ridden Western, he should be able to be ridden in a curb bit on a loose rein without excessive guiding, jerking, or hauling on the face to get to stop. The only exception to my rule is the horse that is English specific and won't be used for Western events.

Stallions (that are not English only) should be ridden in a curb bit. If they are old enough for you to be breeding them to anything and everything, they should be broke enough to be ridden through the gate into a show ring in a curb bit...and win.

Stay Tuned!