Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Jr. Cutter Curb Bit



Hey! Sorry I haven't posted, but I'm back! People kept bugging me to post, sooooo...

4H requires that if you are riding a horse that is over 6 years old one handed (neck reining western) that you use a curb bit instead of a snaffle. I've been riding with a snaffle the whole time (this is what a snaffle looks like) so before the fair I had to borrow a curb bit (the one Daisy's wearing in the second pic) and ride in it. It was like riding a different horse! Daisy behaved MUCH better-she moved better and was easier to control, and she liked it as well. If you use a snaffle bit riding one handed it's a harsh bit because of the way it moves, but the curb is meant for one hand reining. You also use a curb strap (curb chain) under the horses chin. When you pull back on the reins to ask the horse to stop, it first puts pressure on the top of the horse's head. Some horses will stop because of that pressure already, but if they don't the bit then comes back farther and causes the chain under their chin to dig into their chin and make them stop. I bought my own curb bit now (the one above) and I use it on Daisy, and she's great. Although, it is a lot harder to stop her when we're galloping on the road-I've learned to use my seat and my voice more often now (sitting deep in the saddle, leaning back, squeezing my thighs, putting my heels down, and saying "Whoa".). I kind of wish it'd be easier to stop Daisy (ESPECIALLY when I let her out in a full gallop along the road-she's FAST!) but I suppose it's a "learning experience". LOL...so, here's my not-that-great post. :)

2:03 PM

9 comments:

worminator said...

fascinating, hey just so you know, i posted, come and check it out, but i won't get to post until like sunday, so ya

Anonymous said...

Well, I learned something new. I didn't know that about crub bits. :) See you later!

Markus said...

very cool sis.

Jacob said...

crub bits uhhhhhh! Do they have to bite down on those. Thinking of biteing down on some metal makes my teeth hurt. It's cool looking though.

Allen said...

I really like the action shot!

worminator said...

fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating
fascinating

Misha said...

cool! I don't ride using one hand on the reins... Is it hard? what do you do with your other hand?

Michaela said...

Jacob- The horses don't bite down on the metal, the bit(if properly adjusted) should lie in between the horses teeth. Here is a pic:
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1532tfk&s=4

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.

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