Curb chains... Well I never!

stupid question......... i use curb chains once in a blue moon - and even then with no action...

but doing it up this way - would it give a different action to doing it up inside the bit ring?
 
I had it like this in a hack class at royal Windsor and the judge told me it was wrong! I'm not sure what one is right now!
 
Yes or a double bridle, My hunter wore a double bridle and me welsh partbred wore a Pelham as had a tongue too big to accommodate the double.
 
This is not the 'correct' way to put a curb chain on, but is one way you can

When you are using the reins laterally (hard left or right) the curb will be employed. Additionally this looks messy and is illegal for polo as the hook pose a danger
 
Have always done it this way with a pelham. Stops the chain banging around on the chin when not in play and provides a little bit more lateral action. Always stops any chance of pinch with the the bit during lateral action on the bit.
 
I have always done it like the picture but have been told on many occasions that it is wrong!!!, I am surprised so many people actually do it this way if it is so wrong. I think it keeps the chain more stable.
 
I wouldn't have a clue, but Practical Animal Husbandry by Miller and Robertson, a standard veterinary college text book, illustrates it without going through the ring.... (unless I am looking at the wrong illustration!).
 
That's how I was shown how to do it back in the 70s (on a Pelham)? And when fitting one, I was told to gently take up slack on the curb rein, and watch where the curb came to rest as the bit moved so as to work out it it was the correct length. Might just have been the idiosyncratic approach of the lady who taught me though :)
 
I was told to fasten the curb chain as in the pic, by a rather respected showing judge, so having had the chain shortened ( my mare is rather a chinless wonder :D) I then had to get another one and not have as many links removed :)
 
Well, like a lot of things - it all depends. I have and have not done up the curb chain like this. I think a showing judge might say it is incorrect, but it is like saying how to hold the reins of a double bridle - any way is correct.
 
No. If you think about it, any time you change direction with it fitted like that it will come into action when you don't actually need it; in other words each slight touch on the bit through the reins will affect the action of the curb chain whereas when you fit it so that it sits behind the chin it only comes into use when you need it. I an ideal world you wouldn't need the curb action for every aid you give through the reins but every time you use the bit if it's fitted as shown it will have an effect which isn't correct.

I know what I mean even if I haven't explained it properly!
 
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