No matter the style of curb bit you use – be it western such as the grazing bit, Tom Thumb or correction bits; or English such as Kimblewick Pelham or Double Bridle curb bits – always attaching them with an accompanying chain or strap is of vital importance.
What Is a Curb Chain? Curb chains can be attached to various types of bits for riding horses as part of their tack equipment. Once attached inside their mouths, curb chains help prevent excessive bit rotation by resting beneath their grooved chin groove and relieving pressure from overarching the upper palate of their mouths.
Some driving bits such as the Liverpool are curb bits. Most hackamores feature shanks that should also be equipped with a curb chain or strap; although its presence might seem minor on a bit, its function is critical to ensure its effectiveness and comfort for horse.
Appearance Curb chains and straps are most often found on English bits and bridles, while straps tend to be preferred on western bits. Both options can be found available to either option; leather and synthetic straps tend to make for gentler forms of curb strapping while chains have different link sizes and thicknesses available to them as well as numerous varieties to choose from.
Finer chains may be more appropriate for horses that pull, while for general riding purposes a strap or medium-linked chain should suffice. When turning them flat like watch bands, ensure they remain flat at all times. Flattening out a tangled chain may require several turns. On an English bridle, one end of the chain should remain on the right hook attached to the bit; once attached to your horse’s back, turn and straighten out until flat and even before hooking onto its left chain. Right hooks should be squeezed shut to prevent the chain from detaching when unhooking occurs; additionally, there may be an optional large center link through which a “lip strap” may be threaded to prevent horses from grabbing at their bit shanks and prevent detaching from detachment of chain should it come unhooked from its connection point. Leather English curb straps feature chain links on either end of their leather portion for similar functionality as chains.
Western curb chains differ from their English counterparts in that they utilize leather straps and buckles on each side to attach them to the bit, with holes for adjustment similar to belt buckles. There isn’t usually an additional link for lip strapping as many western bits come equipped with shank hobbles or slobber bars which act in similar ways.