Taylor Adams' Young Riders Blog

Hello and welcome to the Young Riders' Blog. I am taking excerpts from my book and publishing them here for all to enjoy. I hope that you will also enjoy my photo albums and the excellent photography of my sister (links are listed to your left). Ride well...and ride safely.

- Taylor Paige Adams

Kimberwick- Like the Pelham, the Kimberwick has curb action, but unlike the Pelham, only one set of reins are used. Kimberwicks can have smooth cheek pieces or slots. The slots fix the position of the reins, giving the bit a stronger curb action, but without the slots, it is a mild bit. A Kimberwick is often used by riders whose horses dislike the Pelham but need the curb action or on polo horses where the shank could be caught.

Waterford- the Waterford bit does not have smooth straight mouthpieces but instead is a chain of connected round balls. This prevents a horse from leaning on the bit and can help retrain heavy or resistant horses. When used properly, this bit can also work well for horses that like to play with bits because they find the irregular shape amusing; it also wraps around the horse’s mouth, nearly eliminating all chances of producing a “nut-cracker” effect. The Waterford is a mild, temporary bit when used carefully but if used by an inexperienced rider or for the wrong reasons it can be a very harsh bit. At no time should you “see-saw” on the reins, especially when using this bit, because the round balls are very uncomfortable when pulled through the horse’s mouth. The Waterford is commonly used for hacking and is sometimes seen in jumping classes. Many dressage riders steer away from the Waterford because they feel that it discourages the horse from truly accepting and carrying the bit.

3-Ring Elevator- the 3-ring elevator has become popular in recent years because it provides several options in one bit. The first ring functions as a loose ring snaffle making it soft and appropriate for most horses. The next ring exerts mild leverage and can help lift a heavy horse and get him off of his forehand. The third ring is the strongest and exerts the largest amount of leverage and should only be used by an experienced rider. When pressure is applied the bit places pressure on the poll. Many riders use two reins with this bit so they can ride off the snaffle rein and only use the leverage rein when they need it.

Pelham- The Pelham functions as two bits in one; these two bits are the Bridoon (snaffle) and Weymouth (curb), used together in the double bridle for precise communication with finished horses. In some cases, a double bridle may be uncomfortable for a horse so instead a Pelham is used. The Pelham is a single bit that has two rings. When reins are attached to the top ring it functions as a snaffle, and when attached to the bottom it functions as a curb. A Pelham also has a curb chain, which keeps the bit from placing too much leverage on the horse’s mouth. It is recommended that you use two sets of reins with the Pelham so that the rider can ride off of the snaffle and use the curb for small corrections. The reins are held so that the curb rein is held with the pinky, which helps prevent the curb from being used too strongly. The Pelham can also be used with one set of reins by using a Bit converter (Pelham roundings) to join the two rings together, but it is not often recommended because it can send conflicting signals. A bit converter is usually used when a rider needs the leverage of the curb but does not have the skill to use two sets of reins, or if you are transitioning your horse from a snaffle to a curb bit.

Baucher- It is the only snaffle that exerts pressure on the horse’s poll, which encourages a lower headset. This bit is difficult to pull through the mouth and keeps most horses from getting their tongue over the bit.

Gag- A gag looks very similar to an Eggbutt but has a hole drilled through the top and bottom of the ring through which a rope is strung. The rope attaches to the bridle and the reins so when contact is taken it works off the poll and exerts leverage. Ideally, this bit is used with two reins so that the bit can be used like an Eggbutt and the Gag action is only used when necessary. This bit is common with polo horses, jumpers, eventers, and horses that need to sit back on their haunches and quickly lengthen, collect, and turn.