Kimblewick bit

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abbie22

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How harsh are Kimblewick bits? Are they acceptable to use for everyday schooling,also what is more severe, jointed kimblewick, or straight bar?
 
Any bit is s harsh as the hands pulling it! My mare was put in one during her training, along with a hackamore, and she wore the kimblewick until he broke earlier this year. Depends on if single jointed or double. Single jointed tend to hit the roof of the mouth easier.
 
happyclappy said:
Any bit is s harsh as the hands pulling it! My mare was put in one during her training, along with a hackamore, and she wore the kimblewick until he broke earlier this year. Depends on if single jointed or double. Single jointed tend to hit the roof of the mouth easier.
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So does this mean that the single jointed is more harsh than the ported mouthpiece?
 
I use a ported kimblewick on my pony for xc and showjumping, or if we go on a fast hack. It can be a strong bit but I find it means I'm not constantly pulling which I think is kinder. Personally I think the port is kinder then a single joint but it's completely down to what the horse likes best!
 
My cob is in a mullen mouth kimblewick, with a port, he likes the straight bar rather than jointed and it works fine, my hands tend to be light but i dont think its that harsh a bit in general
 
I love the kimblewick but be warned! Any curb bit with a jointed mouthpiece makes no sense and actually negates any poll pressure. Who knows why they were invented... probably for people who aren't very good at physics :D

Do use with an appropriately sized port for the shape of the tongue. Be gentle, as a pull exerts bar, tongue and poll pressure so can be a shock to any horse unless prepared for the pull on top of the head. Please do show them the workings or you may get a child shooting off the top off the pony over the other side of the school... :D
 
I really like kimberwicks, neat little bit and I'd say its moderately harsh, but not a "sharp" bit. (I'd say a jointed gag is a sharp bit!) I use a ported mouthpiece on the mare and she responds better in this than any other bit, stronger or milder. I do like to put some cushioning on the curb chain though for any bit, as it can make the horse very sore (I sew sheepskin on) ETA- the slotted kimberwick acts differently to the "normal" one, I use the slotted one on the bottom slot, making a stronger leverage
 
I love the kimblewick but be warned! Any curb bit with a jointed mouthpiece makes no sense and actually negates any poll pressure. Who knows why they were invented... probably for people who aren't very good at physics :D

Do use with an appropriately sized port for the shape of the tongue. Be gentle, as a pull exerts bar, tongue and poll pressure so can be a shock to any horse unless prepared for the pull on top of the head. Please do show them the workings or you may get a child shooting off the top off the pony over the other side of the school... :D
 
I used to ride my old NF pony in a kimblewick as he had such an hard mouth from being a trekking pony before l had him. Although l did use a snaffle as much as possible if l was doing any fast work ie x country l needed to use the kimblewick so that l had more control. Prefer to change nosebands than bits. To me kimblewicks are severe regardless of whether they have a port or not & should never be used by riders who don't have light hands
 
My mare wears a ported kimblewick for hunting. They are great bits for fast work, jumping, and hacking but I wouldn't touch a jointed one and wouldn't use one for schooling. I would aim to have any horse in a snaffle or a double for flat schooling.
 
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