'Downgrading' from a kimberwicke to a snaffle

[Meowy Catkin]

I can only say that the bit I put the photo of in my post is one that I have had great success with. I have not had an issue with it being unstable at all.

It might be helpful if the OP could borrow a couple of bits to try with her horse and then she can see what he is most comfortable in without spending money on several bits. We can all speculate, but it is the horse's opinion that matters.

 

[sbloom]

The Kimblewick without slots is, give or take, a hanging cheek snaffle with a curb chain (which has less action that if there are two reins on a Pelham), actually a very consistent feel in the horse's mouth. The slots give leverage, not a lot more consistency of feel.

 

[southerncomfort]

You could consider one without the slots.

This is what I rode my old welsh cob in.

Her brakes were a bit iffy and in a snaffle she'd do more of a tranter than a trot!

She understood the kimblewick straight away and we never had brake issues again.

What I really like is that the curb only comes in to action when you need it so is not a harsh bit unless you are very strong with your hands.

 

[Tihamandturkey]

The Kimblewick without slots is, give or take, a hanging cheek snaffle with a curb chain (which has less action that if there are two reins on a Pelham), actually a very consistent feel in the horse's mouth. The slots give leverage, not a lot more consistency of feel.

I'm aware of how the leverage action works having used a Uttoxeter Kimblewick for many years - maybe you misunderstood my post.

With a Uttoxeter the reins stay in the same place (in the slot) and don't move inadvertently so it provides more consistency of both leverage and stability in the mouth IMO.

I disagree re the hanging cheek snaffle analogy too.

A ported Kimblewick has a completely different feel in the mouth (giving more room for the tongue) to the hanging cheek which is a single jointed snaffle with a nutcracker action.

I'm not definitely not getting into the leverage debate with regards to the hanging cheek ?

A Pelham can obviously be used with varying degrees of leverage despite there being two reins - it all depends how much curb rein is taken up - I use very little when using mine so a Pelham in this case could be providing less leverage than a Kimblewick would per se ?.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

'Hanging cheek' describes the cheeks only. The mouthpiece can come in various options, it doesn't have to be a single joint, anything from a mullen mouth to a waterford can be paired with hanging cheeks.

 

[Tihamandturkey]

I know what hanging cheek describes and the options available - most commonly a single joint I should have said.

A Waterford or Mullen mouth can't be compared to the bit being discussed either but hey ho I'm bowing out now ?

 

[sbloom]

Hanging cheek means cheekpiece, no comment on mouthpiece.

 

[Tihamandturkey]

Nitpickers on UI ?‍

 

[Gloi]

If you want to make that bit have a less severe curb action just move the reins into the higher slot. If he is not unhappy in the bit I'd carry on using it.

 

[Mr.KnowItAllArabian]

Thank you everyone for your information- I will be trying around with some things and will update you all! Thanks!!