Following on from Pelham v Kimblewick thread & ports

[moneypit1]

I was always taught that a port and tongue groove are two separate things. (am I right?) For example, on a Kimblewick there is a tongue groove which takes pressure off of the tounge and gives extra room for it. A port on the other hand is designed to "touch" the roof of the mouth when activated by the leverage applied. Tongue grooves are gently sloped where as a port is quite square in appearance and can actually be quite severe. Am interested in any opinions on this.

 

[jumpthemoon]

I always heard them referred to as ports - it just depends on the width/height of them as to how severe they are or if they just release the pressure off the tongue. That could easily be misinformed/old fashioned/wrong though!

I suppose as long as you understand the implications of each type it doesn't matter too much

 

[Foxford]

Me too. I always think of a "high port" as being what you described as a port, and the tongue groove as a "low port".

I know a show horse whose owner wanted to try him in a high ported pelham. He found it quite hard to get hold of! I might be wrong but they seem to have gone a bit out of fashion. The horse went really well in it!