For Heaven's Sake - Bit Advice (Reassurance) for Child Please!

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Still many advocate the use of the kindest bit if a bit at all it is strange as we all become more knowledgable that the horse sanctuaries fill up more than ever. Why is that?

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OK, I really don't understand this part BUT personally, I think that the sanctuaries are filling up with horses because people regard them as disposable commodities, along with clothes they throw out after a year, etc etc. AND I disagree that people are becoming more knowledgeable; with regards to horses, people are increasingly ignorant. They don't put the time or effort into finding out what horse ownership entails; they don't know about tack or feeding or how to keep a horse. I see it all the time, people buy a horse without realising that they have to be vaccinated, shod, wormed, fed regularly and that sometimes they get sick and it all has to be paid for.
These days it's also far too easy (and can be very cheap) to buy a horse.

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JAK & PF, I think Breezesbenefactor would agree with you, I read a certain amount on sarcasim into their statement. I read it that the felt the unknowledgeable, tree huggers are filling sancturies with animal they have ruined/can't handle.


I personally like Kimblewicks and feel they are MUCH less severe than a gag (especially a jointed one) and even more so when the gag is fitted with a flash. Gags are just a fashion item in many cases, and as someone has already said one day Kimblewick will be back in vogue and everyone will have them!! Which again is bollocks, because the choice of bit should be made purely after careful consideration of the horses mouth, the riders ability and horses level of schooling. - Something you have clearly done. **climbs off soapbox**
 
I would tell her that the kimblewick is the bit of choice for informed riders.
The poll action of the kimblewick will alter depending on the position of the riders hand realtive to the horses mouth so severity of bit can be modified continuously. The curb action is another element that will vary depending on how it is used.
On the other hand the DG used on the bottom ring deos not aloow for any modification of action. This is very sad as the bit is often confusing for a horse. Gag action says lift head, poll action says drop head. No wonder a lot of horses seen in them are behind the bit or evading.

I have a nice pic of my lad eventing in a kimblewick if that would help or a nice (clear) round of SJ on vid.
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Give MD a quick(gentle) slap and tell her not to be so daft!

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Can't I slap her a bit hard?

Explain to me SD10, as a fellow parent, why kids never pick up on good things but latch onto something horribly negative somebody says (or thinks!) like a ruddy limpet?
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JAK, Coral is just the same and it does really bug me!
Impress upon MD that given BB is now HAPPY in this bit, it would be foolhardy to change it now. Would she rather have a nice, controlled pony and enjoy her show jumping, or would she like to be eliminated(oh the shame) for BB returning to her former broncing, uncontrollable self because the pony hates what's in her mouth?
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My new 16.3 thoroughbred x is in a kimblewick and he seems to go lovely in it, I suspect if he was in a snaffle I would ended up yanking him but now I can be very gentle and to be honest his curb is done up quite losely.
 
I had a grey version of the BB - out of the exact same mould but somehow mine managed to avoid the 666 branding! She was a monster though *drifts off in memories*
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Anyway! To the point... she was ridden in a slotted kimblewick for the entire time we had her, it worked really well, she respected it and when someone suggested to me that she ought to be in a snaffle (I was just at the stage where MD is now!) I gave it a go.... nearly didn't live to tell the tale! As soon as the snaffle was in the bloody pony knew and I was left with no brakes or steering, I think you'll agree that there's ALOT of neck to be playing tug of war with!

Tell MD to stuff the liveries (and everyone else!!) and just carry on doing what works for the two of them!
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ETA: This is Lady with my little sister (about 6 years ago now!!)
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Another big horse that wears one! I can't recall the last time I saw anything in one at a show but they obviously ARE still in use then?

I think MD is especially paranod as the bit is in a particularly shiny silver metallic colour & stands out a mile against BB's black, you couldn't mistake it for anything else, even at a hundred paces! (Your eye is kinda drawn to it! lol)

Her previous cob wore a waterford baucher but you couldn't tell that from a distance & nobody ever commented on it even in the local showing classes, so that wasn't quite so bad! Kids are quite strange really!
 
Its so annoying that kids always want to follow the wrong examples isn't it. I would endorse what everyone else has said, your daughter sounds sensible so will hopefully realise the kimblewick is the best thing for the pony. Just point out it would be a shame to ruin all her hard work if the pony reverts to old habits with a change of bit. You could try suggesting other people are just jealous cos she is setting a new trend, though from past experience they don't always fall for this one!
 
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... she was ridden in a slotted kimblewick for the entire time we had her, it worked really well, she respected it...

As soon as the snaffle was in the bloody pony knew and I was left with no brakes or steering, I think you'll agree that there's ALOT of neck to be playing tug of war with!


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Exactly! BB respects it & that's the key, she knows it's there & just as well, as like a lot of ponies. BB is able to apparently defy the laws of horse conformation & physics with an ability to gallop flat out even with her head up her ar$e!
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Lady looks a cracking pony but again, despite her attractiveness & her pretty head, a refined version of a small tank with a leg at each corner!
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My childhood pony, Asti's mother - was a total headcase. She used to bolt and spin and generally throw all toys out of the pram and throw herself in ditches. I just could not control her.

She was in a snaffle, which she evaded... then came the drop noseband...then the martingale... as soon as I added something she'd get round it!

I tried a kimblewick - basically its only a D ring snaffle with a curb chain, even mylers can have a curb chain - its not something vile and evil, its a thoroughly sensible bit!

Sadly mine hated it and I had to use... horror of horrors.. a pelham!!!! In the hands of a 15 year old!

However, my psycho chestnut mare, who was unstoppable, evasive and downright evil at times, suddenly turned into a biddable, controllable sweetie! We even *whispers* won a showing class - which for a jumping machine like her was unheard of!

I just ignored everyone and collected the rosettes!

If you have a happy and controllable pony, then its far better to keep going with that bit and ignore the stupid people who know no better, than to take a step back to having a lunatic pony that will endanger your health.

When people ask what bit is that, say "oh don't you know, its a kimblewick, the whittakers use them as training bits as they are soooo versatile, in fact, John told me he couldn't be without one in his tack room..." "they are widely used in the continent too, just haven't caught on here, you know how slow some people are to catching on to these things..."

And stick your nose in the air and flounce off!
 
Thank you all VERY much & thank you to 4faulter for taking the time to put up the pic & video!

To those of you with kids, you will know how easily influenced & sensitive they can be & for those of you that don't have kids (yet!), you may well find out one day the joys (?) of dealing with a paranoid 14 year old!
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Anyway! To the point... she was ridden in a slotted kimblewick for the entire time we had her, it worked really well, she respected it and when someone suggested to me that she ought to be in a snaffle (I was just at the stage where MD is now!) I gave it a go.... nearly didn't live to tell the tale! As soon as the snaffle was in the bloody pony knew and I was left with no brakes or steering, I think you'll agree that there's ALOT of neck to be playing tug of war with!

Tell MD to stuff the liveries (and everyone else!!) and just carry on doing what works for the two of them!
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There is a young girl at my livery yard ( oops freindien slip sorry old yard) that rides in a kimblewick, and regularly wipes the board with people SJ & XC , for the very same reason that you mention.

Deff agree wth telling her to ignore the liveries.... they are only jealous anyway
 
My 15.1Hh highland has had a kimblewick for years. Its the only bit he doesnt lean on and his mouth is quite fleshy so cant accomodate a thicker bit. I think they are excellent for big strapping cobs and native types.
 
I used to use a kimblewick on my 2nd pony, and it on some of our ponies now, it is a great bit. If she is worried about looking different, when I go to ridden shows i ride my ponies blinkered and with a wierd butterfly bit!

Haz

Some pics of me jumping with a kimblewick when i was 7. Probably wont help but worth a try!
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OMG, this actually worked!
MD looked at the pics & replies, repeating a pleased & quizzical 'Really?' at every new mention of a suggestion, an opinion or a 'kimblewick wearer' & seemed most reassured!
Thank you all SO much! xx
 
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