Tiarella
Well-Known Member
thanks
Can someone please explain how a kimblewick works?
- Thread starter Tiarella
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Tiarella
Well-Known Member
Doesnt anybody know?
welshied
Well-Known Member
I have no idea but it works really well on my stupidly strong HW cob
Eriskayowner
Well-Known Member
It's a kind of intermediate between a snaffle and a pelham.
It works by poll action and curb pressure. As more contact is taken with the reins, the bit is "activated". The kimblewick rotates slightly pulling down on the poll, and the curb chain puts pressure into the chin groove (if fitted properly). This has the effect of lowering the horse's head. The pressure on the bars also slows the horse.
The amount of leverage the bit has depends on whether it has slots in the sides of the bit or not, whether they are used and which one is used. If you do use the slots, the lower slot gives more leverage.
I hope that helps!
It works by poll action and curb pressure. As more contact is taken with the reins, the bit is "activated". The kimblewick rotates slightly pulling down on the poll, and the curb chain puts pressure into the chin groove (if fitted properly). This has the effect of lowering the horse's head. The pressure on the bars also slows the horse.
The amount of leverage the bit has depends on whether it has slots in the sides of the bit or not, whether they are used and which one is used. If you do use the slots, the lower slot gives more leverage.
I hope that helps!
camilla4
Well-Known Member
It's basically a kind of mild pelham but with less leverage- it has a pelham mouthpiece. Action is exactly as Eriskayowner describes. Very useful on children's ponies which need a slightly stronger bit. Not seen quite as often these days though I don't think?
zsmm4
Well-Known Member
interesting how thing go in and out of fashion.
Shazzababs
Well-Known Member
Its pretty much the same as a pelham with roundings.
Can be usefull if you don't want to faff around with all the extra bits of leather, which its why it was tradditionally used on kids ponies.
It went out of fashion when the trend for the 3 ring gags came in.
Personally I prefer the pelham as it give you the option of switching to 2 reins if you want to without needing a second bit.
Can be usefull if you don't want to faff around with all the extra bits of leather, which its why it was tradditionally used on kids ponies.
It went out of fashion when the trend for the 3 ring gags came in.
Personally I prefer the pelham as it give you the option of switching to 2 reins if you want to without needing a second bit.
Tiarella
Well-Known Member
Thankyou for your replies so far
Im beginning to think a kimblewick would be quite suited to my little naughty pony.
DO they all have the same moutpiece? Like a straight bar with an arch in the middle?
DO they all have the same moutpiece? Like a straight bar with an arch in the middle?
camilla4
Well-Known Member
No Schpug - you can get a mullen mouth version as well. You can also get the same range of materials as for any other pelham - rubber etc.
Tiarella
Well-Known Member
thanks
Ive just looked at my local tack shops website, and these are the only type. DH and robinsons dont have them either
Are they really that unpopular?
camilla4
Well-Known Member
Shazzababs nailed it - they just aren't fashionable anymore and have been replaced. As she says, the three ring gag is hugely popular on children's ponies as an alternative and I guess Kimblewicks are just not as widely stocked these days. It would definitely be worth shopping around on-line though.
If you haven't used any kind of pelham before, do get somewone to check fitting and to show you how to fit the curb chain.
If you haven't used any kind of pelham before, do get somewone to check fitting and to show you how to fit the curb chain.
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
I think they have quite a selection on shop4bits. Thats now under new management and seems reliable!
Failing that i'd look on the shires equestrian website, they sell loads of bits
Tiarella
Well-Known Member
I strongly dislike gags and will do anything to avoid them, not sure why
I use a pelham on him occasionally, when I go xc schooling etc, but since getting fitter he is getting a lot stronger, I will still mostly just use the snaffle for schooling and at home by myself, but when in company he goes a bit wild so just need something he respects a bit more. Do you think a kimblewick would be a good choice? Or would a gag *shudders* be more suitable?
I use a pelham on him occasionally, when I go xc schooling etc, but since getting fitter he is getting a lot stronger, I will still mostly just use the snaffle for schooling and at home by myself, but when in company he goes a bit wild so just need something he respects a bit more. Do you think a kimblewick would be a good choice? Or would a gag *shudders* be more suitable?
saddlesore
Well-Known Member
They would certainly give you some extra brakes, although I also quite like a pelham. You could also investigate snaffle mouthpieces depending on what he does when he pulls, maybe a waterford, cherry roller, dr bristol etc?
welshied
Well-Known Member
i don't like gags either my horse bronked in one when ever you asked him to canter he just went like something out of a rodeo don't know why though it was just a dutch gag but tried it a few times and got the same response each time but he goes really nice in his kimblewick it even makes him hold his head lower etc
Tiarella
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
They would certainly give you some extra brakes, although I also quite like a pelham. You could also investigate snaffle mouthpieces depending on what he does when he pulls, maybe a waterford, cherry roller, dr bristol etc?
[/ QUOTE ]
Well he doesnt as such pull on the reins and go, he usually bronks and bolts, two days ago he properly bolted, didnt stop for anything. Im making him sound very dangerous now but this is how powerful he can be.
They would certainly give you some extra brakes, although I also quite like a pelham. You could also investigate snaffle mouthpieces depending on what he does when he pulls, maybe a waterford, cherry roller, dr bristol etc?
[/ QUOTE ]
Well he doesnt as such pull on the reins and go, he usually bronks and bolts, two days ago he properly bolted, didnt stop for anything. Im making him sound very dangerous now but this is how powerful he can be.
SouthWestWhippet
Well-Known Member
I used a kimberwick on my old pony, she was very very strong and used to either grab the bit and tank or stick her head up like a giraffe and avoid all contact.
She was sold to me in a 3-ring gag but I found she just set against it and pulled. In a kimberwick she suddenly went light as a feather, she seemed to respect the curb action and the (much more limited) poll action didn't upset her.
Great little bits, I haven't had a problem getting hold of them TBH they are in most tack shops around here. You can get them with jointed mouthpieces as well as mullen/ported.
Different mouthpieces for sale here...
http://www.thefind.com/sports/info-stainless-steel-kimberwick-bit
She was sold to me in a 3-ring gag but I found she just set against it and pulled. In a kimberwick she suddenly went light as a feather, she seemed to respect the curb action and the (much more limited) poll action didn't upset her.
Great little bits, I haven't had a problem getting hold of them TBH they are in most tack shops around here. You can get them with jointed mouthpieces as well as mullen/ported.
Different mouthpieces for sale here...
http://www.thefind.com/sports/info-stainless-steel-kimberwick-bit