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Re: [RC] J.Thom - BIT question - csimmons88The Kimberwicke Uxeter has been my preferred bit for "most horses". Late in my riding career I learned snaffle (broken mouth piece/no shank bits) were considered 'lateral, alernating hand bits...never pull back with both hands at the same time and were designed for rt hand/rt side etc. The graduating to a shank bit came after the horse was responsive in a controlled environment and more finesse & collection was desired. Well that wasn't something I used much in the early days but control & security of more "bit" was. Unfortunately, I learned many years later that my mare was very light & was over bitted in the Kimberwicke and in her teens we went to a regular Kimberwick Snaffle. Of course my riding had improved alot by then also. My gelding came to me in a Tellington-Jones ported, shanked double reined bit that he would but his nose on his chest & go right thru. It was a year of lateral snaffle work before we could go to the Kimberwicke. By then I had learned to use the lateral aspect of the Kimberwicke & many a day we spent with his nose out to the side (arc to my knee) till his discomfort brought his brain & emotions back to his body & he'd release/relax & respond to acknowledging there was a rider along. The Tom Thumb bit is not a snaffle. It is a curb bit even tho it has a broken mouthpiece. Because of the shanks & chin strap it operates on the curb/leverage aspect not from the lateral aspect of a snaffle. You will see many horses twisting there heads & necks opposite of what you want went one handed riding in it with out the basic training of "neck reining". It gives mixed signals. However, genarally speaking gaited horses and endurance horses are 'figurtivly' ridden predominitly forward-straight ahead so it does add a modicome of more control than a snaffle when it comes to stopping & slowing down, so it has its place. My prejudice against the Tom Thumb bit is that most of us aren't aware of its limitations and it is actually quite a severe bit when used forcefully. Just a reminder also: the longer the shank the more leverage it has. Obviously, a light mouthed horse ridden in a curb bit by a rider with educated light hands will not need to engage the leverage given by the shanks; but they're there for more collection and control when needed. Those of us that have used them primarily for stopping power probably haven't done enough schooling to keep our horses responding to us in the heat of competition emotionally...I've been there. Good Luck. Sorry to run on. ----- Original Message ----- From: "A. Perez" <walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 7:54 AM Subject: Re: [RC] J.Thom - BIT question I'll skip the usual 'equipment is not substitute for training' spiel (you'll be getting it from others, no doubt) and suggest a Uxeter Kimberwick bit (has slots int he rings so the reins can be set at different heights, offering lesser or greater leverage. The curb chain can be used for some extra 'oomph' if needed or left off if not needed. I like it because my TWH (who actually has a very soft mouth) plays incessantly with jointed bit, trying to bite the rings, whereas he's much quieter in the mouth with a solid-mouthed bit. ________________________________________________ Get your own "800" number Voicemail, fax, email, and a lot more http://www.ureach.com/reg/tag =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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