Alternatives to a Kimblewick?

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amandaparry1994

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I'm looking for alternatives to a kimblewick, it's a pretty harsh bit so i'm not keen on it. However, my boy is notoriously strong, well he's keen anyway. I'm looking for alternatives to the kimblewick in hope of a less harsh alternative, I was thinking about a french link snaffle? Or something similar - I always try to get sweet irons as well.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
 
If your horse goes sweetly in the Kimblewick and responds to light rein aids, then it is not a harsh bit. It's far less pleasant for a horse to be in a snaffle and have rough rein aids, so the supposedly 'kinder' bit could end up the harsher choice.

I actually think that the kimblewick is an often underrated bit having used it with great success on a tank of a Fell X that was known to tank off in a snaffle.
 
Agree with the above, a bit is only as harsh as the hands on the other end.

I had my old boy in a rubber Pelham for hacking, it was wonderful as he had respect for it. He was beautifully schooled and you could ride him in a plain snaffle in the school, but you couldn't hack him in it, he just turned into a complete tank but once I'd installed the rubber Pelham we never looked back.
 
I agree with Faracat.

Back in the day, when we had a fraction of the bitting choices we now have, the Kimblewick (or an Uxeter if you were posh) was a step up from a snaffle and one below the Pelham, and we didn't have the massive, and confusing, choice of mouthpieces either.

As always, all horses are individuals and they have their likes and dislikes, if yours goes well and seems happy in a Kimblewick then roll with him, if it ain't broke, don't fix it :) What mouthpiece does yours have?

A Kimblewick is not a harsh bit, it has very little poll/curb action because the rein is not fixed as it is with the Uxeter (which still isn't harsh) it is just not a fashionable bit unlike the three ring gags used incorrectly without curb straps which are horribly harsh bits yet so popular. I would rather use a stronger bit sympathetically than haul away on any 'kinder' bit (snaffle) causing God only knows how much bruising and damage to the mouth.
 
Interesting suggestions - excuse the hijack OP but this has given me food for thought.

Daughter's pony is very forward and strong when out and about. Not nasty just keen and a tad excitable.

He came with a 3 ring gag for such situations I am not keen in it. Now wondering about a kimblewick or rubber pelham.

Daughter has lovely light hands but is getting nervous about being in open spaces, especially in a group of ponies.
 
I think kimblewicks are nice bits, they are static in the mouth and have very little poll/curb action, many horses go so well in them-mine is in a snaffle for everything so I am not a fan because I currently use one.
I am another one who hates dutch gags and believes a bit is only as harsh as the hands that control it.
 
OldNag said:
Interesting suggestions - excuse the hijack OP but this has given me food for thought.

Daughter's pony is very forward and strong when out and about. Not nasty just keen and a tad excitable.

He came with a 3 ring gag for such situations I am not keen in it. Now wondering about a kimblewick or rubber pelham.

Daughter has lovely light hands but is getting nervous about being in open spaces, especially in a group of ponies.
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I use it with an elastic curb and my friend also does this with her daughter's similar sounding pony.
 
amandaparry1994 said:
I'm looking for alternatives to a kimblewick, it's a pretty harsh bit so i'm not keen on it. However, my boy is notoriously strong, well he's keen anyway. I'm looking for alternatives to the kimblewick in hope of a less harsh alternative, I was thinking about a french link snaffle? Or something similar - I always try to get sweet irons as well.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
A bit is as only as harsh as the hands which are at the other end, I never found it harsh. My mare had one for sponsored rides it was rubber covered and she was never "take the bit and go" more of a " I want to go mum but will wait but bounce a bout" type.

Also used one on my first mare too and never found her resnting it and never got silly, the higher the port and the longer the shanks the more leverage which in wrong hands can lead to disaster.

I suggest you talk to your trainer who knows your horse, or speak to the http://www.horsebithire.com/
 
A french link snaffle is not strong at all that was my everday bit before i started riding bitless. It just has a double joint for horses that dont like that nutcracker thing single joints do.My pony detests bits and doesn't stop to great with anything. I only use a bit now for hunting and it is a kimblewick,(i use a slotted one with a chain)she tolerates it pretty well i think she prefers a straight bar in her mouth actually. I tried a 3ring gag before on the last ring and she just ploughed with nose on floor. Some people recommened me a Waterford (i thought it looked horrible) and a pelham (overkill for me i think). I had a kimbo to try and the first time i used it she did bite her tongue but now there is not a mark on her after hunting. Ive seen other horses with snaffles and bloody mouths. No bit totally stops my pony (which is why i dont bother with one normally ) but for hunting i need something that can grab her attention quickly when she tanks off and the kimblewick does a good job,when she's good i ride gentle in it. It looks tough and it's not the 'fashionable 'bit anymore so it can raise eyebrows lol but i think its alot nicer than some other bits and it works for my pony,it is alot less faff in their mouths when you think about it just a bar.
 
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Thanks for all the advice! I'm very light handed so I'll stick with the kimblewick :) , it's good to know that people don't think it's harsh (I only called it harsh due to years and years of yard managers telling me it's awful) But you have all convinced me!
 
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