Curbing Your Enthusiasm for Curb Bits

 

 Curbing Your Enthusiasm for Curb Bits

The transitional bit. The barrel in the middle of the mouthpiece allows both shanks to work independently

The "curb bits" that you may have seen on my riders are transitional curbs which allow for lateral positioning. This means that they are not the fixed curb to the mouthpiece bit. Hence the term "Straight up into the bridle" to a fixed shank curb. I would NEVER permit my riders to ride 2 handed in a fixed bit that would have a solid mouthpiece or shanks attached to the bit.
Secondly the "contact" is merely silk threads. My riders understand that the "contact" is an acceptance of the horse via the engagement of the hindquarters, relaxation of the back and the correct balance of the entire horses' body. I do NOT allow my riders to pull their horses into a "frame".
Although I do not advocate the use of curbs in lower level horses, some are happier working in them.
My seat and legs are also in contact with the horse and my riders are taught that riding is 80 percent from your seat. Reins are not obligatory for downward transitions, and used for positioning the horse laterally.
The proof of the pudding is to see whether the photos show a horse with a gaping mouth. Certainly the issue of incorrect acceptance would also be penalized in the shows by the judges.
A transitional bit would be one that provides an independence of each shank so that the horse may be influenced by the riders hand via lateral positioning to the left and to the right. Hence, the validity of riding the horse with 2 hands in a TRANSITIONAL Curb. A Curb with fixed shanks and mouthpiece should only be ridden with ONE hand. Realistically the majority of horses who are ridden in a fixed bit are probably those ones who are either in a performance or working class and lateral positioning and exactness are not required. (Lateral Bend and Flexion). Think about it as the horse is working in a straight line so to speak, and the rider may also be performing tasks with the other hand such as the use of the rope etc.
In my opinion the straight up curb should only be used on horses that have graduated from the transitional curb and completely understand the rider's seat. The conversation should be again, silk threads. To see a Spade bit ridden with reins in both hands is an insult to the Vaquero tradition. A high ported 1/2 breed or correction bit in my opinion is not necessary if the horse AND rider are trained correctly. Bits that have mechanical forces like crow bars should NEVER be used or even allowed to be in anyone's tackroom.

The Turbo Lifter Bit is legal According to the Rules of  WDAA/USEF Western Dressage, and is permitted to be ridden with two hands.

The whole purpose of WD is to train a horse to be correctly trained without gimmicks or head setting devices. This concept is in alignment of the basis of dressage and honouring proper horsemanship. 
The bit cannot be stereotyped into breed, conformation or discipline of any kind. Bit fitting is done on an individual basis. WD also permits bitless.
The end goal is to ride your horse in what your horse performs the best in that is the mildest form of equipment.