Sizing of Kimblewick

[emmad96]

So after a magnificent lesson on Saturday with the tank and a amazing instructor, I have been told that a straight mouth with a slight port (so I think just your big standard) kimblewick will help with the strength my mare has. Instructor jumped on and had a ride for 15 minutes to see what Ali was doing ect and said that she had a horse that wasn't quite as strong and she put a kimblewick on him, showed him the curb chain once and he never pulled again. I'm not expecting a miracle, and she also suggested a double jointed loose ring as a everyday but once we get proper brakes sorted. We also worked heaps on making sure she has nothing to oil against and me using my stomach muscles properly to balance myself when she gets unbalanced.

Anyway, what is the correct fitting of a straight bar bit? She is currently in a 5" eggbutt snaffle, would I just get the same size? Also, how tight/loose do I put the curb chain? Obviously I will ask someone at pony club to show me and check my initial fittings but advice prior to this so I don't look like a wally would be nice! Thanks for getting this far!

 

[Shay]

If your mare has a 5" snaffle she is likely to be a 5" anything - but some makes come up slightly bigger or smaller than others - like clothes! In the UK you can use a bit bank to borrow a bit and return it if the size isn't right. I don't know if you have that in NZ? But I would start with a 5" kimblewick and see.

Your curb chain needs to fit so that you can slide 2 fingers under it when the rein is loose. The pull the rein back slightly (as if you were asking for a halt) and the chain should press into your fingers. Not hard or to hurt - but enough to feel. Check the hooks for the curb chain are fitted outward so they can't catch on her mouth. They should come this way from the shop -but you never know!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Straight bar bits hang differently in the mouth so you might have to drop the cheekpieces down a hole too, depends how high your snaffle is and how the horse goes best.