Excellent! I was just mulling over the Kimberwicke in my mind & was really
liking the idea of it. It's very reassuring to hear you suggest it also. I
think I'll keep the mouth piece the same as he's used to (low port) & try
it.
Yes, I'll be going from neck reining to two handed which is awkward trying
to adjust to riding with contact... it'll take us awhile to get adjusted.
He cues mostly from your seat & is a more seasoned horse so I do have that
in my favor. Plus he seems pretty forgiving which is always nice. *grin*
I'm not doing any fancy riding so he knows all I want him to at this point.
I've been told by most of my trainers that I have very soft hands (often too
soft) & I have a pretty independent seat so hopefully the combination will
work for he & I. But back to the neck reining.
Can you use the Kimberwicke without the curb chain (so it's no longer a curb
action bit) & attach the reins to the actual D ring instead of the slots?
Wouldn't that make it a snaffle then?
Thank you so much for taking the time to lend your advice - always very much
appreciated!
-Jen
From: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of kiolak
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 9:29 PM
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: Asking for Advice on Bit
Hi Jen,
Why don't you try out a Kimberwicke bit? It is a English curb bit. It is not
allowed in some shows, but for schooling and for trial riding it works the
charm. My daughter switches from the Kimberwicke to a snaffle bit, depending
on the situation. Out in the open, on cross country courses she uses the
Kimberwicke for a little more control. She is a 100 pound 12 year old, and
he is a 900 pound 9 year old.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01108
I like the ported mouth on this particular bit. We have found that the
jointed bit can sometimes pinch, and will cause some high headedness or head
tossing (from discomfort). You can adjust the Kimberwicke according to how
much control you need, you decide where you want to attach the rein.
The chain underneath should be attached flat (unwind it until it lies flat)
and allow for three fingers underneath once fastened. It does not need to be
snug. In fact, once the curb chain was twisted when my daughter was riding,
and we could not figure out why he kept backing up!
I also use this bit for my big ol Belgian/TB cross when we are cross county,
and it works well even for a 16.1 hand powerhouse. Remember though, soft
hands, no matter what bit you use. Practice first in an enclosed arena
before heading out into the open.
Question for you, are you going to be switching him from neck reining to
direct rein? That makes things interesting... But totally do-able. That is
what I did with my first horse many years ago when I first started riding.
He knew Western only, and I was taught English. It was pretty funny there
for awhile! ;^)
Your Haffiefriend,
~Kiola~
Brier, WA
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:haflingerfriends%40yahoogroups.com> , "HRT" <hrhorses@...> wrote:
>
> I am looking at purchasing another Haffie, a gelding that is ridden in a
bit
> that I am not knowledgeable with. The current owners use a low port, curb
> bit. It is the type below (hopefully the links transfer in this message).
> I've always thought of it as the cheap bit that you get with off the shelf
> lower end bridles. When they got it out to put on him I cringed in my
mind.
> However, he rode very well with it.
> http://www.buytack.com/products/bits/wea/graphics-2007/25-208-np.jpg
>
>
>
> I have always used an Eggbutt snaffle. I ride two handed, use an English
> bridle. Don't show, don't have to conform to any rules of any
organizations
> or such, I just prefer this bit & the English bridle. Sooo. my question
is.
> how different would this type of bit (see link below) be for him if I
> switched him over.
> http://www.horsetrainingvideos.com/images/bit-gd-lowport.jpg
>
>
> I'm afraid to go to a snaffle with him since he is going so well with the
> low port curb but I've never ridden in a curb & I prefer to ride two
handed.
> Could I do that with this bit? The shanks on it do swivel to allow the
> horse to escape some of the pressure, which I like, but I'm debating
whether
> to just go to my mild Eggbutt snaffle. But I keep thinking, if he's going
> well in that bit, why fix something that isn't broken?
>
> Is there another option that I should consider, one that would keep the
feel
> of the bit relatively the same for him, but allow me to ride two handed,
> and/or possibly allow me to not have to use a curb chain & switch my
bridle
> out for a western style?
>
>
> I know this is OT somewhat, but it is for a Haflinger, so hopefully it'll
be
> allowed. LOL.
>
> Stay warm everyone,
> Jen in MN
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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