A question about curb chains / straps

[PapaFrita]

Umm, feel really daft asking this, but how do they work? Is it their purpose to restrict the movement (angle) of the curb bit? Does putting the curb on looser/tighter make the action more/ less severe? OR does the tension increase/decrease poll action???????
Most horses at our yard wear curbs (in the manner of western horses) and people seem to think that the curb has to be really tight to make the bit effective.
Would appreciate some patient soul explaining the mechanics of the curb bit plus strap/chain. Thankies very much.

 

[Tia]

Over here, curb straps are generally used quite loosely. This gives the horse the opportunity to respond to the riders asking before the curb comes into action. Curb straps which are done up tightly are looking for immediate response to the riders demands - probably used like this because the horse has not been properly trained and because the horse is not quite as responsive as the rider would like.

The longer the shank on the curb bit combined with a loosely fitting curb strap means the horse has more time to respond, however if you were to use a long shank with a tight curb strap then this would be fairly severe. Short shanks are stronger as the leverage is almost immediate; the rider is using a short shank to get results straight away.

Curb straps are also used here for regular bits too - particularly loose ring snaffles or other snaffles which can slide through the mouth. They are used very loosely and have absolutely no effect or action on the horse other than to stop the bit being pulled through the horses mouth.

 

[PapaFrita]

Ah, thanks Tia. All makes more sense now