kimberwick

[RenosGirl]

Kay guys I have a kimberwick bit and I was wondering what was the point of the chin chain. Like the chain I have is sooo long like there is a extra inch and a half just hanging after. And I was just wondering if I can just take it competely off or should I just cut off the extra....

[Carri]

I would just cut off the extra. You could take it off, but it is a leverage bit so it is more effective with the chain.

[RenosGirl]

like it is just a snaffle one...sooo....but what can I use to cut it off....

[KatieMae]

Kimberwickes were designed for the rider to have some amount of leverage... The curb chain allows the kimberwicke to have a mild "curb bit effect" and it keeps the bit from moving too far in the mouth, which does not occur with a snaffle or direct pressure bit.
Now, as far as the chain being too long, you can put the hook through any of the links to make it shorter. I always left mine hanging, as I kept the bit for future use...

[RenosGirl]

Well that is what I am doing right now, but everytime we trot it gets unhooked and just hangs there.

[ruffian]

You can also get a lip strap, It connects to both sides of the bit and runs through a link on the chain to support it and keep it from flopping. If the chain is too long and you want to cut off the excess, use pliers. If you take the chain off completely, you might as well use a D ring or bar snaffle, as you've lost the lever action that the Kimberwick was designed for

[RenosGirl]

Okay thanks, I am just gonna cut some off, but just enough so that I can use it on other horses.

[mafarion]

If it's falling off the hook, take some pliers and make the opening smaller.

[RenosGirl]

if I make the hook smaller it wont allow me to take it off.

[Crookedblaze]

I used a western leather curb strap for my chain because the chains that come with it always seem to come off or rub or the extra ends up in my horses mouth.

[RenosGirl]

Originally Posted by Crookedblaze

I used a western leather curb strap for my chain because the chains that come with it always seem to come off or rub or the extra ends up in my horses mouth.

Thats a good idea....I will get one once I come back from the endurance race this weekend

[Drafty]

I am no bit expert (far from it!) but I always throught a kimberwick was a draft bit... wouldn't make sense at all to take off the curb chain. Might as well use a snaffle as another poster said! Let us know what you end up doing. I'm curious if the leather curb acts the same way. I had one when I owned a barrel racer who was trained in a tomthumb (sp?) and it didn't work the same way so had to go out and find a regular chain. I hate harsh bits -- too complicated for me -- I'd rather just use a halter and leadropes.

[Crookedblaze]

I have used leather curb straps on my horses and never really had a problem with it. It is a little gentler then a chain, but that's why I (and my horses) like it.

Drafty, I have to agree with I'd much prefer a halter and a lead rope over anything else - that is the best way to ride.

[Ferronsgranny]

Simpe fix is to take a rubber band and twist it over the hook after you put the chain on. It helps hold the chain in place and is easy to remove to undo the chain. Put the small rubberband on so that it is laying at the top of the
hook, let it dangle until you put on the chain, then hook it around the opening ot the other end of the hook. I use braiding rubberbands for mine.

[reiningfan]

An elastic works well to hold the chain on, like Ferronsgranny suggested. So does a small twist tie. I really wouldn't cut any off of the curb chain. What if you ever want to use it on a horse with a larger jaw?

[dodib]

I had this issue too just before my daughters fair but was told and found that if the chain is not twisted at all and lays flat it does not fall off the hook-- ours didin't--we just kept putting the extra links on the hook until it was the correct length--
Of course that was all after I figured out it was put on the bridle upside down

[Slim Pikkens]

The Kimberwicke was originally designed for willful ponies. It gave a child a little more control using a single rein.

[Drafty]

Originally Posted by Slim Pikkens

The Kimberwicke was originally designed for willful ponies. It gave a child a little more control using a single rein.

Then it has sure come a looong way!!! A lot of draft owners swear by them.

[wind lake]

Here is another thought on the Kimberwick chain. We replaced the standard hooks on the bit with two new hooks called "humane hooks" . These two new hooks lay flat and the little "j" in them holds the chain very securely. We also buy smaller chains if they seem to be too long.

[RenosGirl]

Originally Posted by Ferronsgranny

Simpe fix is to take a rubber band and twist it over the hook after you put the chain on. It helps hold the chain in place and is easy to remove to undo the chain. Put the small rubberband on so that it is laying at the top of the
hook, let it dangle until you put on the chain, then hook it around the opening ot the other end of the hook. I use braiding rubberbands for mine.

I am gonna do that!!!

Well I have never heard of it being a draft bit...but I guess its a good idea. It is just a snaffle kimberwick, it has no port in it. I only use it during endurance races, he gets too excited and is sometimes hard to control. But he does not use it normaly. Most of the time he is in a plain snaffle or a snaffle with rollers. Nothing special. I don't even use the lower part on the kimberwick. So ya...I used the kimberwick on the endurance race this weekend and he did wonderful.