For the fine lessons
Curb bits
Curb bits are usually only used in advanced dressage and are used to refine aids in advanced exercises. They are usually used in combination with a snaffle bit.
Please note that we do not give any warranty on bits. Please do not test the bit in the horse's mouth if you are unsure of the size, as we cannot take back bits with scratch marks.
For fine hands only
Curb bit
The curb bit is an unbroken bar, with or without tongue clearance, which should be 1/2 to 1 cm smaller than the snaffle bit. To the right and left of the bar, outside the horse's mouth, are the so-called trees. It is important that the sides of the curb bit are close to the corners of the mouth. If there is too much play between the corner of the mouth and the side pieces, the curb bit can jam and, in extreme cases, tilt. The chin chain increases the leverage and puts pressure on the lower jaw.
For these reasons, the curb bit and the curb bit should only be used by experienced, steady riders. The curb bit is completed by a snaffle bit, which is mainly used for riding. The curb bit is only used to refine the aids, which is why the reins usually sag a little.
Types of curb bits
Dressage curb bit / French curb bit
French or dressage curb bits are available with short or long shanks, usually 5 cm or 7 cm. Double curb bits with short shanks are also called baby curbs. However, this does not mean that this type is "softer". Of course, there is less leverage due to the short bit, but the rein aids reach the horse's mouth much faster. With a long rein, there is a little more leeway and you can adjust the pressure in finer increments. Remember: the longer the rein, the smaller the angle of attack that results from a certain shortening of the rein. This means that the "baby" curb bit works much faster and therefore more sharply for the same amount of rein. Basically, you now need to consider whether your hand is fine enough to work in millimetres and whether your horse needs direct, clear aids or a little more time to think.
Double bridle bits with tongue free
The French curb bit differs from the standard dressage curb bit only in the shape of the bar. This is a bar that is only slightly bent upwards without tongue freedom. All other curb bits have little to a lot of tongue freedom. Tongue freedom is a controversial issue nowadays. The more tongue freedom the bit offers, the sharper the effect of the curb bit. In addition, the horse's mouth must offer enough space, otherwise the curvature will press on the palate. According to the latest findings, the tongue tends to be pinched by the freedom of the tongue and the horse does not have the opportunity to push the bit upwards with its tongue to counteract too much pressure. If the bar is only slightly curved, it acts evenly on the entire tongue when pressure is applied on the same side. However, if there is too much pressure on one side, there is a risk of canting.
Post curb bits / Liverpool curb bits
The broken curb bits, also known as driving curb bits, post curb bits or Liverpool curb bits, are an exception. They are used without a snaffle bit. Driving curbs have up to three "eyelets" one below the other, into which the driving line can be buckled. Frequently used are post curbs with two eyelets, which together have the shape of a "B". The deeper the driving line is buckled in, the sharper the curb bit is.
Which curb bit then?
Which curb bit you want to use therefore depends on many factors. Are you and your horse so far advanced in your training that you have already reached the so-called "curb bit maturity"? How much space is available in the horse's mouth? Observe your horse's reactions to the respective bit very closely and find out which curb bit your horse prefers.