I do agree that a horse should be always be trained to bend at the poll (vertical flextion) and not forced with a curb bit.
I may not have explained myself very well. By weight on the bit I am talking about only a couple ounces to adjust the balance of the Kimberwick bit. Whatever a doubled over 4" strip of leather would weigh. Not even as much as the steel shanks on a normal curb bit.
Any type of bit is a "device with weight". Adjusting the weight only helps the horse to understand our attempts to comunicate with him through the bit.
The only other alternitives is to use a side pull, a bosal, or leave them in rope halter. And I'm fine with anyone using any of those for comunication.
The one fault to a Kimberwick is that the balance of it in a horses mouth is terrible. That is if it is to be used one handed for neck reining. If you are using it two handed then the balance doesn't matter as you can use a Kimberwick bit to direct rein and to cue vertical flexion two handed. The leather "shanks" are just to improve that balance.
A well balanced curb bit requires a horse to bend at the poll automatically. That is the primary purpose of a solid mouth, ported, curb bit. When a horse is bent at the poll he is obedient and attentive to your lightest cues. That is why a horse neck reins so much better in a well balanced ported curb bit than in a snaffle bit, or any other type broken mouthed (jointed) bit.
Often folks use a curb bit for "more control". That is not what a curb bit is for and using one for that reason is usually going to get them into a wreck somewhere down the trail.
The secondary use of a ported curb bit is to "check" them to recapture their attention if it drifts, and/or half-halt them for basically the same reason. Thirdly it can be lightly used one handed, to cue a stop. A curb bit should never be used to ask for a backup.
When using a curb bit most stopping, all turning, backing, and lateral movement should be cued with your seat, legs, and/or reins laid lightly against the neck. A curb bit should never be used for direct or indirect reining.
It is not fair to a horse to put him into a curb bit without first teaching them to lateraly or vertically flex in a snaffle. A horse should always be trained in a snaffle to bend vertically before it should ever be expected to carry a ported curb bit.
Steve
http://fixabrokehorse.com
"cedarglyn" <cedarglyn@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Steve, I am under no illusions about changing your mind... LOL
>
> With all due respect, I don't believe in using any tricks, devices with weights, or any other artificial means to "cause" a horse to bend at the poll. It can also "cause" unnecessary pain and sometimes injury. Have you ever seen a horse with a broken poll? I have and it's not pretty!
>
> I like a horse to bend at the poll because it's been properly ridden over enough time for the correct muscles to develop. With properly developed muscles and a sensitive rider conversing with the horse, he/she will naturally bend at the poll and with no discomfort. To me that is true horsemanship (vs. mere strong-arming with bits or devices). While numerous books offer help, the best way to learn is through a qualified instructor because no book explains any where near all that's involved in the process.
>
> Riders seeking merely the "look" of a highly gymnasticised horse going 'on the bit' have in reality no more than a "look". To the trained eye, a horse reveals the quality of their training via their way of going, As Mark Rashid said: "horses don't lie".
> Best Wishes, Judy in NE TN
>
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