Kimberwick Bits

[Stephelia]

Today on a trail ride, My beloved RD he was not listening to me very well when I would do half halts to get him to stop getting too close to the horse in front of him. He was being such a nudge!

It has been suggested to me that I get a Kimberwick bit for trail riding. I did, and it has two rein slots. The one on top is for less pressure, and the lower is for more pressure. My intuition tells me that I should start with the easier slot, then, if necessary, lower the slot.

Anybody out there have some insight to the Kimberwick?

Steph

[maverick927]

Kimblewicks are of the pelham family.

Sorry but thats all i know.

[Sue&Tasha Green]

I had a kimblewick on my horse to teach her some manners, it worked so now I am in the snaffle again.
I have recently put it on my moms horse bacause he likes to run on grass, we are in the process of getting him used to it, but I tried him on the higher slot and he wasn't really listening to it, he put his head up and was looking around alot, I got my mom to put it down to the next slot and he really started to go in it.
It really depends on your horse, try schooling without the curb at first to get him used to the feel and then start using the curb, unless he goes well without it. Hope this helps.
Tasha

[tasha]

I used one of these for jumping Dipity, She is very strong and is quite mad, so I put her straight on the bottom slot and she goes nicely in it.

However, your horse sounds like he just needs a bit of a reminder that you are there, so I'd fasten the reins so that they are on the main D ring of the bit - not in a slot. This gives an action halfway between the two. My opinion is that if you only need the top slot, you dont need the bit, as the action is just of a snaffle.

If he/she is still strong then try the reins on the bottom slot.

[Stephelia]

Well, I tried the Kimberwick bit today, and it was rough going at first. When I put the bridle on, he got very upset at the new bit, especially since I needed to make adjustements to the headstall. He thrashed about, and then wouldn't let me mount. So I asked somebody to hold him - I mounted, we did some ring work, and after a couple of minutes he was fine.

The bit worked like a dream. I put it on the upper rein loop. He definitely did better at the half halts. I think I may go back the snaffle on occasions, just for a change, and to keep him honest.

THANKS for everybody's help and advice.

Steph

[TheMoose]

Hi, The kimblewick iwas originally designed as a stronger bit than the snaffle but not as harsh as the pelham as it does not act so much on the poll. It is useful on smaller childrens ponies. I would advise to put it on the main bit ring at first untill your horse gets used to it. It should AlWAYS be used with a curb chain that is not done up too tight. How big is the port on it?

[Stephelia]

I have the curb chain on the bit, and it is not too loose, not too tight. But I'm not really sure what the curb chain is designed to do? btw, I removed several links because it was too long and the excess was flopping about his poor chin. Now the ring, which is supposed to be in the center of the chain (underneat), is not. The instructor said its not a problem, but I'm also wondering the significance of that ring.

Steph.

[Sue&Tasha Green]

The ring on the curb chain is to put the lip strap through on a pelham, all curb chains are the same. Btw it doesn't matter about it not being central as you don't need it, you can remove it if you want.
Tasha

[tasha]

The curb chain is used to squeeze the lower jaw, which in turn encourages the horse to relax it and accept the bit.

It doesn't matter where the middle link is, as long as you are not using a lip strap!