Curb and Pelham

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Curb and Pelham In Memory of PELHAM Helen B. Williamson The Pelham group consists of those Canadian bits using two reins (a true Pelham) and those using only one rein. The Pelham Regi stry brings together one or more features from of the the snaffle and curb groups, producing a single mouthpiece which combines the ac- tion of the two bits. In short, a Pelham is a Tennessee curb with a built-in snaffle. Most features found in each group will be found in the Walking Horse Pelham. The Pelham is often used with only one rein. A Pelham bit frequently used by Walking Horses is the Kimberwick. In- n stead of two rings for attachment of the This series of brochures on various as- illiamso n B.W reins there is only a large Dee with two pects of good horsemanship is dedicated to the Hele slots in the rounded part of the D. When a memory of Helen B. Williamson, to help inform orial Mem rein is attached in the lower slot, the action and educate people on the humane handling and es manship Seri is that of a curb. When a rein is attached in proper care of horses. Helen had a deep love and Horse the upper slot, the action is that of a snaffle. respect for horses. She once said, I can t imagine A square slot rather than usual round eye- “ ’ hole applies more poll pressure and conse- life without horses!” Helen was a founding mem- quently greater head lowering effect. The ber of CRTWH, and served as its first president Kimberwick is a strong bit and should be and then as secretary until her death in 2000. treated with respect. Although Pelham bits suit horses with short, wide jaws, it is gen- erally better to try either a snaffle or double bridle. A Pelham bit is fit the same way as a snaffle. The End For further information please contact CRTWH BITS: #3 P.O. Box 246, Postal Station 'M' Calgary, Alberta T2P 2H9 Or [email protected] CURB & Web site: http://www.crtwh.ca Copyright 2004 by Dianne Little & CRTWH Photo above by Jo Kingsland, 1988. PELHAM BITS CURB BITS by Dianne Little piece exerts pressure on the poll. The should never be exerted permanently and longer the cheek piece above the mouth- without relief. piece, the greater the degree of pressure The purpose of the curb bit is not When the rein is attached below the which can be exerted on the poll. The easy to define or describe. It is however mouthpiece the bit is considered a curb or cheek piece below the mouthpiece exerts generally accepted that a curb bit encour- leverage bit. Because of this lever action, pressure on the lower jaw. The longer the ages relaxation of the jaw. Curb bits can curb bits are generally acknowledged to be cheek piece below the mouthpiece, the be used to maintain head carriage and in- far stronger than snaffle bits. Just how that greater the possible leverage which can be duce flexion. Curb bits apply pressure to lever action works, how the additional exerted on the lower jaw. To further com- the tongue, bars, roof of the mouth (with a power is applied and for what purpose lev- plicate the situation, the cheek pieces be- port), curb-groove and the poll. The erage is required, is barely understood by low the mouthpiece may be straight or weight and angle of the bit affects the most of us. The essence of curb bit theory curved thus changing the leverage. horse. When using a curb bit with a port, lies in the mechanical advantage of multi- The curb chain behind the jaw sup- the port moves higher and more forward plied power (force) resulting from lever plies additional mechanical force. Every the more you pull. This action has the po- action. time the rein is taken up, the curb chain is tential to damage the palate of the horse. There are four parts to a curb bit: tightened and this lever action comes into The best known of the curb bits is the length of the cheek piece (or metal) play. The curb chain or strap should be po- the Weymouth with or without a port. A above the mouthpiece where the headstall sitioned so that it lies perfectly smoothly very short cheeked or Tom-Thumb curb is attached; the length of the cheek piece “ ” from end to end, neither too tight or too is the gentlest of the Weymouths. The (or metal) below the mouthpiece where the loose. When the curb chain is fitted too Walking Horse Bit is a curb bit of the Wey- rein is attached; the curb chain or strap; and loosely the action on the chin groove and mouth group. the mouthpiece. lower jaw is ineffective. In conclusion, a curb bit is a power- The junction of the leather headstall The shape and weight of the curb ful bit. The leverage action decreases the with the top of the metal cheek piece bit and its rein ensures that there is always force required by the rider but increases the (above the mouthpiece) is the fulcrum of a tiny element of lever pressure on the bars force applied to the horse. It is a bit that is the lever. The length and relative propor- of the mouth even when the rider is exert- respected by the horse and should be re- tions of the two sections of the cheek piece ing no significant pressure on the rein. To spected by the rider for what it is a poten- (above and below the mouthpiece) deter- – that extent, and even when riding with a tially severe and damaging bit. mine the lever action and the severity or loose curb rein, the bit will of its own ac- strength of the leverage. The greater the cord be whispering the appropriate sig- DOUBLE BRIDLE difference between the length of the cheek “ ” nals to the horse. As contact is taken, the piece above the mouthpiece and the length A double bridle is just what the whisper will become louder and clearer. of the cheek piece below the mouthpiece, name implies two sets of reins and two This lever effect is a multiplying force. A – the greater the strength of the lever. The bits. With a double bridle, one pair of reins light pull on the reins will inevitably be felt more equal the length of both cheek pieces, is attached to the bridoon or snaffle bit and by the horse as a pressure on the bars, the the more gentle the effect of the lever. another pair of reins is attached to the curb The cheek piece above the mouth tongue, the chin groove and the poll, or any bit. The rider has two reins in each hand to combination of these. Consequently the enable each bit to be used individually. mechanically boosted power of the curb bit Page 1 .
Recommended publications
  • Read Book Through England on a Side-Saddle Ebook, Epub
    THROUGH ENGLAND ON A SIDE-SADDLE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Celia Fiennes | 96 pages | 02 Apr 2009 | Penguin Books Ltd | 9780141191072 | English | London, United Kingdom Sidesaddle - Wikipedia Ninth century depictions show a small footrest, or planchette added to the pillion. In Europe , the sidesaddle developed in part because of cultural norms which considered it unbecoming for a woman to straddle a horse while riding. This was initially conceived as a way to protect the hymen of aristocratic girls, and thus the appearance of their being virgins. However, women did ride horses and needed to be able to control their own horses, so there was a need for a saddle designed to allow control of the horse and modesty for the rider. The earliest functional "sidesaddle" was credited to Anne of Bohemia — The design made it difficult for a woman to both stay on and use the reins to control the horse, so the animal was usually led by another rider, sitting astride. The insecure design of the early sidesaddle also contributed to the popularity of the Palfrey , a smaller horse with smooth ambling gaits, as a suitable mount for women. A more practical design, developed in the 16th century, has been attributed to Catherine de' Medici. In her design, the rider sat facing forward, hooking her right leg around the pommel of the saddle with a horn added to the near side of the saddle to secure the rider's right knee. The footrest was replaced with a "slipper stirrup ", a leather-covered stirrup iron into which the rider's left foot was placed.
    [Show full text]
  • Equipment Directions for Trotting Races in Sweden
    EQUIPMENT DIRECTIONS FOR TROTTING RACES IN SWEDEN Valid from January 18, 2018 These directions are issued by The Swedish Trotting Association. Contact: Svensk Travsport 161 89 Stockholm, Sweden. Phone: +46 8 627 21 20 E-mail: [email protected] 2 Table of content Introduction 4 Bridles and cheek pieces 5 Bits 8 Overcheck and overcheck bits 11 The harness 13 Protective gear 13 Additional equipment 14 Racing under saddle 16 The racing bike 18 The racing authorities in the Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Nor- way and Sweden – have jointly listed the pieces of equipment permitted for use during trotting races in these four countries. Equipment of new design has to be approved by Animal Welfare Depart- ment of The Swedish Trotting Association. No exceptions will be granted. 3 Introduction The Swedish legislation on animal welfare is among the world’s strictest. Obviously, this has implications for the trotting industry – not least when it comes to the equipment used during racing and training. Since the arrival of 2018, trainers using equipment prohibited by the racing regulations will face increasingly harsh consequences – ranging from heavy fines to exclusion of individual horses from participation in a specific race. The ultimate responsibility for the equipment of a horse always rests on the trainer. In order to prevent the risk for incidents causing trouble and frustration among visiting trainers, we have produced this brief manual on equipment. Below, you will find general guidelines for the design and adjustment of equipment used during racing and training. The following sections offer brief descriptions of equipment details that are permitted.
    [Show full text]
  • MU Guide PUBLISHED by MU EXTENSION, UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-COLUMBIA Muextension.Missouri.Edu
    Horses AGRICULTURAL MU Guide PUBLISHED BY MU EXTENSION, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA muextension.missouri.edu Choosing, Assembling and Using Bridles Wayne Loch, Department of Animal Sciences Bridles are used to control horses and achieve desired performance. Although horses can be worked without them or with substitutes, a bridle with one or two bits can add extra finesse. The bridle allows you to communicate and control your mount. For it to work properly, you need to select the bridle carefully according to the needs of you and your horse as well as the type of performance you expect. It must also be assembled correctly. Although there are many styles of bridles, the procedures for assembling and using them are similar. The three basic parts of a bridle All bridles have three basic parts: bit, reins and headstall (Figure 1). The bit is the primary means of communication. The reins allow you to manipulate the bit and also serve as a secondary means of communica- tion. The headstall holds the bit in place and may apply Figure 1. A bridle consists of a bit, reins and headstall. pressure to the poll. The bit is the most important part of the bridle The cheekpieces and shanks of curb and Pelham bits because it is the major tool of communication and must also fit properly. If the horse has a narrow mouth control. Choose one that is suitable for the kind of perfor- and heavy jaws, you might bend them outward slightly. mance you desire and one that is suitable for your horse. Cheekpieces must lie along the horse’s cheeks.
    [Show full text]
  • Friesian Division Must Be Members of IFSHA Or Pay to IFSHA a Non Member Fee for Each Competition in Which Competing
    CHAPTER FR FRIESIAN AND PART BRED FRIESIAN SUBCHAPTER FR1 GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FR101 Eligibility to Compete FR102 Falls FR103 Shoeing and Hoof Specifications FR104 Conformation for all horses SUBCHAPTER FR-2 IN-HAND FR105 Purebred Friesian FR106 Part Bred Friesian FR107 General FR108 Tack FR109 Attire FR110 Judging Criteria for In-Hand and Specialty In-Hand Classes FR111 Class Specifications for In-Hand and Specialty In-Hand classes FR112 Presentation for In-Hand Classes FR113 Get of Sire and Produce of Dam (Specialty In-Hand Classes) FR114 Friesian Baroque In-Hand FR115 Dressage and Sport Horse In-Hand FR116 Judging Criteria FR117 Class Specifications FR118 Championships SUBCHAPTER FR-3 PARK HORSE FR119 General FR120 Qualifying Gaits FR121 Tack FR122 Attire FR123 Judging Criteria SUBCHAPTER FR-4 ENGLISH PLEASURE SADDLE SEAT FR124 General FR125 Qualifying Gaits FR126 Tack FR127 Attire FR128 Judging Criteria SUBCHAPTER FR-5 COUNTRY ENGLISH PLEASURE- SADDLE SEAT FR129 General FR130 Tack FR131 Attire © USEF 2021 FR - 1 FR132 Qualifying Gaits FR133 Friesian Country English Pleasure Class Specifications SUBCHAPTER FR-6 ENGLISH PLEASURE—HUNT SEAT FR134 General FR135 Tack FR136 Attire FR137 Qualifying Gaits FR138 English Pleasure - Hunt Seat Class Specifications SUBCHAPTER FR-7 DRESSAGE FR139 General SUBCHAPTER FR-8 DRESSAGE HACK FR140 General FR141 Tack FR142 Attire FR143 Qualifying Gaits and Class Specifications SUBCHAPTER FR-9 DRESSAGE SUITABILITY FR144 General FR145 Tack FR146 Attire FR147 Qualifying Gaits and Class Specifications SUBCHAPTER
    [Show full text]
  • Mullen Mouthed Bits
    Bits Although there are hundreds of design variations, the basic families of bits are defined by the way in which they use or do not use leverage. They include: • Direct pressure bits without leverage: Snaffle bit: Uses a bit ring at the mouthpiece to apply direct pressure on the bars, tongue and corner of the mouth. • Leverage bits: Curb bit: A bit that uses a type of lever called a shank that puts pressure not only on the mouth, but also on the poll and chin groove. Pelham bit: A single curb bit with two sets of reins attached to rings at the mouthpiece and end of the shank. Partly combines snaffle and curb pressure. Kimblewick or Kimberwicke: A hybrid design that uses a slight amount of mild curb leverage on a bit ring by use of set rein placement on the ring. • Bit combinations A type of bridle that carries two bits, a bradoon and a curb, and is ridden with two sets of reins is called a Weymouth or double bridle, after the customary use of the Weymouth-style curb bit in a double bridle. • Non-curb leverage designs: Gag bit:A bit that, depending on design, may outwardly resemble a snaffle or a curb, but with added slots or rings that provide leverage by sliding the bit up in the horse's mouth, a very severe design. Bits are further described by the style of mouthpiece that goes inside the horse's mouth as well as by the type of bit ring or bit shank that is outside the mouth, to which the reins are attached.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bits and Their Action: Cheeks, Mouthpieces, Doubles Cheeks
    The Bits and their Action: Cheeks, Mouthpieces, Doubles Cheeks The Action of the Loose Ring The most popular - the loose ring has much more movement and play than a fixed butt or cheek. It discourages fixing, blocking and leaning and encourages mouthing. It allows the mouthpiece more movement so that it may follow the angle of the tongue because the angle of the poll and the horse's overall outline changes through different work etc. A quality loose ring correctly fitted should not cause any nips or rubs. The Action of the Eggbutt This is a fixed cheek. Everything remains more still in the mouth and if a horse is lacking in the confidence to stretch into the contact, this may prove extremely beneficial. The Action of the Baucher When a contact is taken the upper arm is angled forwards causing the mouthpiece to lift - thereby suspending it in the mouth and reducing the pressure across the tongue and the bars - this is often beneficial for cases of over sensitivity. Any extension above the mouthpiece causes poll pressure - this in itself has a head lowering action. However, if the horse is going forward into a contact and active behind this will encourage a rounding action and help tremendously with the outline. This cheek is dressage legal as a Snaffle (on its own) or as a Bradoon used in conjunction with a Weymouth. The legal limit for the length of the baucher/hanging cheek snaffle is 12 cm - this is from top to bottom - not just the upper arm. 1. The Baucher at rest - the cheeks are always attached to the small ring and the reins to the one main bit ring.
    [Show full text]
  • Horse Learning Lab Kit - CONTENTS
    OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Horse Learning Lab Kit - CONTENTS ANATOMY Learning the body parts of a horse 4 laminated posters - Answer key appears on reverse side of each poster. - Anatomy of the Foot (pink) - Leg Anatomy (pink) - Parts of a Horse (light red) - Skeletal System of the Horse (purple) 2 laminated charts - Answer key appears on reverse side of each chart. - Digestive Tract (red) - Parts of the Hoof (gold) 6 laminated cards - Correct age appears on reverse side of each card. - Determining a Horse’s Age by Its Teeth (yellow) 9 sets of polyethylene identification tags* - Anatomy of the Foot (43) - Anatomy of the Foot - for the Novice (25) - Determining a Horse’s Age by Its Teeth (6) - Digestive Tract (17) - Leg Anatomy (57) - Parts of a Horse (41) - Parts of the Hoof (19) - Skeletal System of the Horse (66) - Skeletal System of the Horse - for the Novice (37) 7 situation/task statements - Label the anatomy of the horse’s foot. (pink) - Match the correct age of the horse with the diagram of its teeth. (yellow) - Label the digestive tract of the horse. (red) - Label the leg anatomy of the horse. (pink) - Match the correct part names with their locations on the diagram. (light red) - Label the parts of the horse’s hoof. (gold) - Label the skeleton of the horse. (purple) BREEDS OF HORSES Learning the horse breeds 22 breed prints - Breed name and traits appear on the reverse side of each print. American Paint, American Saddlebred, Appaloosa, Arabian, Belgian, Clydesdale, Donkey, Miniature Horse, Morgan, Mule, Palomino, Percheron, Peruvian Paso, Pony of the Americas (POA), Quarter Horse, Shetland Pony, Shire, Standardbred, Suffolk, Tennessee Walking Horse, Thoroughbred, Welsh Pony 2 sets of polyethylene identification/description tags - Breeds of Horses (22) - Horse Breed Traits (22) 2 situation/task statements - Match the correct breed name with each color print.
    [Show full text]
  • Through England on a Side-Saddle Free
    FREE THROUGH ENGLAND ON A SIDE-SADDLE PDF Celia Fiennes | 96 pages | 02 Apr 2009 | Penguin Books Ltd | 9780141191072 | English | London, United Kingdom Vision of Britain | The travels of Celia Fiennes | Full text plus mapping This is absolutely fascinating and so helpful for my research. Thank you, Helen and Kathy. Hi Helen, Thank you so much for gathering together so much information and fun facts! This was extremely useful! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind, regarding riding as a fun pastime. Thanks for getting in touch. In answer to your question - yes! I think the more 'sober' habits came in with the Victorians, and were mainly for the hunting field. Kathy's blue velvet habit shows that lovely colours and materials were used for travel, and her French costume indicts the more 'elegant' habits. I have added a new page above - see 'Costumes' on the menu bar for all Kathy's costumes, although I don't have good photos of all of them In fact, horse dealers parading horses for sale in Rotten Through England on a Side-saddle, London, during the Victorian era wanted'nicely dressed' i. This would attract a gentleman's eye and encourage him to buy the horse. A bit like scantily-clad models draped over car bonnets today! I don't think the apron changed much until circa WWI when dress lengths started getting shorter although I'm not totally certain of that - seems logical though Feel free to email me if you want to chat more: author [AT] helenhollick [DOT] net.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bridle Bits
    University ofPennsylvaiiia Amjenberg Rare Book and Manuscript Library "iffliiiwiiinKawHJijaiiinmnsawifflBarTiti N;? ^ii^i LIBRARY OF LEONARD PEARSON VETERINARIAN . V^i, liS Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2009 witii funding from Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/bridlebitstreaOObatt FKOKTISFIBCB. Tee Mouthing Bit. THE BRIDLE BITS. A TKEATISE ON" -^^ ^^^i'' ®^^ Hi'^ PRACTICAL HORSEMANSHIP. BY COL. J. C. BATTEESBY, LATE FIKST NEW TORK (LINCOLN) CAVALKY ("THE GALLANT FIKST NEW TOKK "), CUSTEK'S DIVISION, SHEEIDAN'S CORPS, AKMY OF THE SHENANDOAH, U S. A. ILLUSTRATED. NEW YORK: 0. JUDD CO., DAVID W. JUDD, Pres't. 751 BKOADWAY. 1886. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, by the O. JUUD CO., Ill the Office of the Librarian ol Congress, at Washington. £3Z8 LN.' VARSITY PENKSYUMM4IA, LIBRAHlCJb PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. ^ A long and varied experience with horses, in both Vv. civil and military capacities in different countries, gives ^ Colonel Battersby the ability to be of essential service [—;) both to the horse and to his owner in this volume. The treatise is not on bits alone, but on breaking and training "^ . horses for every use to which they are respectively adapt- ed, particularly to their use under the saddle and be- fore the carriage. The important part played by the bit in its various forms in rendering the horse the docile, willing servant he is, in promoting man's profit and pleasure, leads to the adoption of the title of the book. It is at once specific and comprehensive. Tender consid- eration and respect for the horse is the impression the author makes and inculcates—that by proper mouthing, training, use and treatment he can be made all the more serviceable, and at the same time more agreeable to his rider or driver in the performance of his work.
    [Show full text]
  • NYC Foreclosures Mount
    nb31p01.qxp 7/27/2007 7:34 PM Page 1 TOP STORIES REAL Kids and parents ESTATE share fashions as Tenants stock up on fall shopping starts space; top leases and PAGE 3 ® property sales Out-of-town firms Page 15 offer young lawyers quick partner path VOL. XXIII, NO. 31 WWW.NEWYORKBUSINESS.COM JULY 30-AUGUST 5, 2007 PRICE: $3.00 PAGE 3 OK! profits from HOUSING MELTDOWN: THE VICTIMS bizarro Britney; CNBC readies for a fight with Fox Subprime NEW YORK, NEW YORK, P. 6 NYC foreclosures mount Democrats in a mess hits whirl over Spitzer; Defaults forecast HOUSE OF BLUES through 2008 as rating how the governor Initial foreclosure filings in the two hardest-hit boroughs. can regain trust rates reset; outer PAGES 12, 27 boroughs suffer agencies Outsourcing scare BY TOM FREDRICKSON tells only half the Shares of Moody’s, story: India, China the number of New York City S&P wilt as hybrid homeowners facing foreclosure is trade boosts NYC on track to reach the highest annu- securities dry up ALAIR TOWNSEND, P. 13 al point in more than a decade. Since January, lenders have BY AARON ELSTEIN started foreclosure actions on BUSINESS LIVES 7,000 one- to four-family homes cascading prices of oceans of se- WOMEN IN THE RING in the five boroughs, according to curities backed by subprime mort- the Neighborhood Economic De- gages are exacting a heavy toll on Boxing velopment Advocacy Project. By the world’s two top credit-rating a big hit the end of the year, the number is agencies—Moody’s Investors Ser- at gyms expected to exceed 14,000, which vice and Standard & Poor’s.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview of Bits and Bitting Dwight G
    An Overview of Bits and Bitting Dwight G. Bennett, DVM, PhD Proper Use of Bits and Bridles Bits and bridles are for communication. They are not handles to stabilize the rider in the saddle or instruments for punishing the horse. The accomplished rider uses his seat and legs before his bit to communicate his wishes to his mount. Indeed, the most important factor in having soft, sensitive hands on the reins is developing a good seat. As with most methods of training and communicating with the horse, the key to the proper use of bits and bridles is the principle of pressure and release. A horse learns to seek a position of comfort to relieve the pressure applied by the bit in his mouth. Consequently, the rein pressure must be released the instant that the horse complies (or even tries to comply) with the request sent to him via the bit. If the pressure is not released, the horse has no way of knowing that his response was correct and becomes confused. Bits, bridles and accessories can exert pressure on a horse’s mouth bars, lips, tongue, hard palate, chin, nose and poll. Of these, the tongue and the hard palate are the most sensitive and the most responsive to subtle rein pressure. Depending upon the type of headgear used, however, commands sent to the horse via the bars, lips, chin, or nose can be more important than those transmitted via the tongue and palate. An important concept in bitting is signal, which is defined as the time between when the rider begins to pull on the reins and the time when the bit begins to exert pressure in the horse’s mouth.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Use a Pelham Bit: a Qllick Collrse in Using Double Reins
    How to use a Pelham bit: a qllick COllrse in using double reins C 2002, by Lee Ziegler When people ask me which I bit I use most often on my horses, I generally say "the one that works" and then follow up with - "for many of them, the mullen mouth Pelham seems to be the most effective." I use this bit because it is stable in the horse's mouth, fits the generally shallow mouths of Fox Trotters, and has been most acceptable to the majority of horses I have ridden. For other horses, especially ones with larger mouths, the true Weymouth or ful l double bridle is a preferred tool, but, with horses, it always pays to be flexible and use what works best for that specific horse. The Pelham bit can be a little intimidating, since it is used with two sets of reins: one for the curb action of the shank; and one for the snaffle action of the ring. Why on earth would I recommend such a complicated piece of equipment, when those who have heard me at a clinic know I am a great believer in keeping things simple? I use it because it a very good tool for positioning a horse's head and neck to put him in the body frame necessary to perform the easy gaits. It is al so useful for teaching a horse to make the transition from the snaffle which is used in early training, to the curb, which is required for showing by most breeds. I prefer to use a Pelham with a mullen (curved) mouthpiece and 5" shanks, although they are available in other mouthpiece styles (broken, arched port, etc.) and different shank lengths (from the 3" Tom Thumb to 7").
    [Show full text]