Categorizing Bits

Curb Bits
A curb bit is constructed with a mouthpiece and shanks. The headstall is attached to upper shanks and the reins are attached to lower shanks of a curb bit. A curb bit applies leverage pressure and, as such, increases the amount of pressure from the reins to contact points in and around the horse's mouth. In general, curbs are designed to be used with no rein contact unless the rider is applying a specific cue.

When reins are pulled, the action of the mouthpiece and curbstrap tighten on various locations in and around a horse’s mouth. Curb bit construction is modified to apply varying amounts of pressure on the tongue, lips, bars, roof of the mouth, and, by way of the chinstrap and headstall, under the chin and over the poll on the horse’s head.

The bit on the right is commonly identified as a grazing bit. Curbs are used primarily to slow or stop horses with pressure created by leverage and to guide horses by using a neck rein cue. A neck rein is a slight rein cue applied to the neck of the horse more so than to the mouth. The neck rein does not apply an appreciable amount of pressure to the horse's head or neck and does not forcibly turn the mouth to the direction of desired movement. Rather, correct response from a neck rein occurs as a learned response from reinforcements with direct pull or pressure on the horse's mouth. Curbs are used on horses trained previously with snaffles to respond to direct and neck rein cues. Curbs with longer lower shanks in relation to upper shank length increase pressure by increasing the leverage of pull. Pressure is intensified on specific pressure points by variations in the mouthpiece design.