Bloody bits!! making a kimblewick milder?

[PapaFrita]

Tried the Ginger one in a kimblewick today and had fabby brakes... too good in fact and even though I was riding him with a really loose he felt like he had air brakes and was practically cantering on the spot...
Anyway, the chain was pretty loose and reins were on bottom slot. Would losening the chain further make it milder? Could I remove it altogether? Or cover in something to make it milder? Have put rein on top slot to try tomorrow.
Ginger beastie previously going OK in happy mouth dutch gag (straight bar) with rein on 1st small ring (if that makes sense) but it's a bit small for him and tends to pinch.

 

[AmyMay]

Top slot for the rein will make it milder - and you could take the curb chain off, but then you have the problem with the hooks being free.

Could you try and get your hands on another type of ported bit that doesn't have a curb chain??

I'm a huge fan of Kimblewicks - but they certainly don't suit everything. However, Amymay always went really well in one.

 

[KatB]

Try an elastic curb? Makes the action slightly woolier...

 

[ihatework]

you could replace the metal curb chain with an elastic or leather curb?
But the positioning of the rein should be a huge help too!

 

[flyingfeet]

Put the reins straight onto the bit, so not through any of the slots. This makes the kimberwick much milder

As as said above attack it with a pair of pliers and remove curb or try an elastic curb.

I had an arab who loved a vulcanite kimberwick, but had to have no curb and no slots.

 

[S_N]

Is your Mum back yet? Have you go the Kimblewick I sent you yet (with your Mum)? If the curb is too much for him, then get a pair of pliers and take the curb chain hooks off the bit! But don't loose them - they may come in handy at some future point! I agree with moving the rein up a slot!

 

[PapaFrita]

She's not back until 10th October *sob-I miss my mum*- Will try today with reins where I put them, and if that doesn't work put them through ring, not slot, if that doesn't work will remove chain/ replace with leather strap.
Thanks peeps for advice

 

[Salcey]

Just a note to bear in mind - if you take the curb off, which might work well, do remove the hooks as I saw a horse get horribly tangled in the hooks of a kimblewick once, and his mouth took quite a while to heal

 

[PapaFrita]

Thanks, will do

Horsey happier today with rein on top slot, but will keep trying variations.

 

[Cobnut1]

If your horse isn't happy with the kimblewick, take it off and try another... there aint no point in having that in his mouth if he's "cantering on the spot" and is afraid to go forward.

 

[PapaFrita]

Ah, well, it would seem you've missed previous episodes of 'bits I've tried that horse doesn't like/won't stop in'.
Also, where I live (Argentina- says so under my Avatar) we don't have the luxury of a huge variety of bits, so those of us who would like to stop and yet ARE concerned with what horse is comfortable with have to try to work round what we've got. And I AM getting other bits sent out to me to try, so please don't jump to conclusions that I'm settling for the first bit that came along.

 

[Cobnut1]

I didn't realise...sorry...new here!!

also...someone suggested take the chain off, but that will leave the hooks..these can be removed with a pair of pliers..

 

[PapaFrita]

Ah ok. Sorry if I was a bit snippy... been one of those weeks!

 

[Cobnut1]

No worries....

 

[teapot]

Have you tried something like this:
meee

My old pony's pelham had it so that it wasn't as harsh in the mouth. Owners had literally just wrapped elastoplast around it but worth a thought. TBh not sure what the difference is as never rode Baron in the pelham without it

 

[PapaFrita]

Actually, after riding him today, I think it's the chain that upsets him. Put rein straight on ring instead of slot and chain hardly acting at all and he was STILL overreacting.