Curb Bit
This bit was used for the training of young horses and starting them with the curb bit. Despite their impressive aspect, the straight elongated shanks were in fact thought to be more gentle on the horse, because of the longer reaction time in their leverage effect and the fact that they were stopped by the horse's chest at some point. Curb bits were also used with a very light hand, the well-trained horses responding by anticipation to the slightest move of the reins.
The scatches, (flattened triangular elements composing this mouthpiece), were slightly stronger in their effect and more resistant than the traditional conical canons also used at the time. The banquets, the parts of the cheekpieces to which the mouthpiece is attached, can be opened for switch out the mouthpiece, a feature particularly appreciated on dressage bits in Germany.
At the beginning of the training, this bit would have been combined with a cavesson, a rigid noseband, often made of iron, resting on the horse’s nose, a sensitive area. The rider would use his cavesson’s reins at the same time he used his bit’s, teaching the young horse to respond to the bit without spoiling the sensitivity of its mouth.
Though long straight cheekpieces were used in all of Europe for training young horses, in Germany and Hungary alone they took on extreme proportions, sometimes up to 20 in. (50.8 cm).
The scatches, (flattened triangular elements composing this mouthpiece), were slightly stronger in their effect and more resistant than the traditional conical canons also used at the time. The banquets, the parts of the cheekpieces to which the mouthpiece is attached, can be opened for switch out the mouthpiece, a feature particularly appreciated on dressage bits in Germany.
At the beginning of the training, this bit would have been combined with a cavesson, a rigid noseband, often made of iron, resting on the horse’s nose, a sensitive area. The rider would use his cavesson’s reins at the same time he used his bit’s, teaching the young horse to respond to the bit without spoiling the sensitivity of its mouth.
Though long straight cheekpieces were used in all of Europe for training young horses, in Germany and Hungary alone they took on extreme proportions, sometimes up to 20 in. (50.8 cm).
Artwork Details
- Title: Curb Bit
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: German
- Medium: Iron alloy, tin, copper
- Dimensions: H. 22 in. (55.9 cm); W. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 5.9 oz. (1528 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Bits
- Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1929
- Object Number: 29.156.75a
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Clemens Horn
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early 17th century
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