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Straps and Bits
A curb strap, also called a curb chain or chin strap, is affixed to a leverage bit below the horse's lower jaw. The name curb strap comes from the fact that they are used on curb bits.
A curb bit is a leverage bit (compared to a snaffle which is direct pull bit) and the curb strap is tightened when the bit, or lever, is pulled on. The function of the curb strap is to press on the chin groove of the horse when the reins are pulled back, as there are sensitive nerves under the jaw.
The correct fit for the curb strap is considered to be 2 fingers inserted one on top of the other between the chin groove and the strap when the reins are at rest (hanging as loose as you normally ride with them).
A chin strap can be used on a snaffle bit to provide stability - it helps prevent pulling the bit through the horse's mouth (such as in the case of riding a young horse).
When using a chin strap on a snaffle, you shouldn't use a curb chain but a simple leather strap. The different types of straps available are dependent on their uses. A leather strap is used for a sensitive horse or on a snaffle bit. A curb chain can used to get a quicker response from a duller horse, but it shouldn't be abused!
For curb chains, you will find leather or nylon straps combined with links of chain - these can be single links or double links (two rows). In general, the narrower the item pressing against the horse, the more severe the item is, so a double flat chain may look like more, but it actually widens the area the pressure is applied over compared to a single chain.
For showing, some rules allow you to dress up your curb strap with horse hair tassels (like in western pleasure), or to use colorful nylon straps to coordinate with your outfit (such as gymkhana).
If you show, make sure you check your rule books - did you know that a strap that is too narrow may have you disqualified?
If you have tips or questions on equipment care, purchases, fit, or anything else to do with equestrian equipment, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
If you are new to Northern B.C. Horse, check out all the previous issues on the Archive page.
Kristi is building a great knowledge base about horses, with the emphasis on our area of the world.
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Watering in winter
With the recent drops in the mercury, are you making sure you horse is getting his water requirements met? As someone who uses a variety of different watering options, I can tell you first hand about a few of them.
Most horses will drink more water in the winter if it is warmed slightly, so some type of trough heater is a good idea. But sometimes that isn't an option - they are expensive to buy, some types are complicated to set up, and in some areas, hydro isn't available to the field.
So what options do we have then? One of the best ways to ensure year round water is available is to have a frost-free hydrant installed. These water spouts look like a pump handle on top, and the secret to them is in the valve and long downshaft - usually six feet underground. The valve should be installed below the frost level, and the pump handle actually operates that valve way down inside the pipe.
The valve, when you turn the handle up, allows water from the buried water pipes to come through the shaft and out the spout. When you turn the handle down, it closes the opening to the water pipes and opens a valve to a drain pipe which is also buried. By allowing the excess water to drain, nothing is left in the pipe or spout to freeze.
If you are using buckets to water your horse, you'll know how frustrating a bucket full of ice can be. One suggestion is to buy rubber buckets instead of plastic - while they cost a little more, they stand up way better to the abuse you must suffer on them to break the ice out of them! I've been finding this winter that a well-placed kick can usually remove ice up to a few inches thick from the sides of a rubber bucket!
Another idea is to haul hot water with you out to the field to melt the ice in the buckets. The practicality of doing this really depends on the number of horses you are watering. One winter I watered five horses in plastic garbage cans, hauling hot water in jugs every morning to break the ice open, then breaking the rest of the ice out by hand - what a tedious job! Watering alone used to take over an hour, so you really need to prioritize if you are still considering that stock waterer!
A major disadvantage to all of these previous types of watering is that they are labour intensive, especially as the horses ought to be watered at least twice a day. Next week, let's talk powered options!
If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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Both Sides
So far in this column, we've covered leading, stopping, backing, trotting and moving various parts of the horses body.
Now that you have control over so many of your horse's body parts, you can mix things up a bit for your horse - ask him to step forward a few steps, then ask him to stop and move his hindquarters away from you.
Back him up a step or two, then walk off again for a few steps before picking up the trot. Stop again and ask him to move his front end away from you.
Keep mixing up the routine, partly to keep him from getting bored and also to keep him from anticipating what is next.
Don't forget to lead him from both sides so that he becomes used to being handled from both sides and in both directions!
Because horses learn one-sidedly (does anyone have a proper term for that? unilaterally perhaps?) they must be taught things on both sides - they can't just transfer it from one side to the other. So you'll need to go through all the same steps we've been covering, but from the right side instead of the left.
While we have been talking mainly about colts in this series, you can do this with your riding horses as well. The more time you spend working with your horse, the more you develop a bond of trust, respect and friendship.
If you have tips or questions you'd like to share with other local equestrians, please mail them to kristi@hiway16.com |
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Western, English, Penning or Trail riding, all equine sports have a voice on Northern B.C. Horse.
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