Kimberwicke
Encyclopedia
A Kimblewick, Kimberwicke or Kimberwick is a type of bit
used on a horse
, and named after the English town of Kimblewick where it was first made. The bit has bit shanks, D-shaped ring
s, and a curb chain
. Due to its shanks, it is regarded as a type of curb bit
. The curb action is minimal to mild, however, because the shanks have short purchase arms and no lever arms (see Lever
). Some variations increase the curb action. A Kimblewick is used with one set of reins.
is on the upper part of the flat side of the D, creating a small amount of lever
age, supported by a curb chain
. This allows the Kimblewick to have a mild curb bit
effect.
Like the pelham
and curb bit
s in general, the Kimblewick has bit shanks with purchase arms. However, unlike these other bits, its shanks have no lever arm. Due to the purchase arm and geometry of the rings, the rings may function as very short lever arms and create a small amount of leverage, which puts this type of bit into the pelham or curb bit "family." The curb function varies with the style of bit: slotted Kimblewicks provide the option of more curb action, whereas unslotted Kimblewicks are very close in function to the Baucher bit, which most users regard as a snaffle bit, and to the pelham bit
when the snaffle rein is used.
Depending on the position of the rider's hands, the standard Kimblewick has different effects when the rein is allowed to slide freely along the curved portion of the D-ring. If the rider's hands are held high, there is no leverage effect. If the rider's hands are low, the slight leverage effect can be used. However, one popular design, the Uxeter Kimblewick, has slots in the curved portion of the ring, so that the rein may be fixed into one position. This increases the curb effect, especially when the rein is placed on the lower of the two slots.
Kimblewick bits have a variety of bit mouthpiece
s. The original design has a ported mouthpiece, but it now is also manufactured with others, including a solid, unjointed "mullen" mouth, and a single-jointed mouthpiece
competition classes, notably dressage
and show hunter
. Kimblewicks are regarded by some people as unconventional or non-"classic", and the compromise design that combines snaffle and curb features may lead some horses to either overflex in the bit or learn to lean on it. However, they do offer the rider a slight curb effect without the risk of a shank getting caught on something, which is useful for contact sports, such as polocrosse
, and provide a bit more control than a snaffle, which can be helpful for smaller riders on strong horses. They are seen commonly on ponies.
Bit (horse)
A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse or other equid and assists a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests on the bars of the mouth in an interdental region where there are no teeth...
used on a horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
, and named after the English town of Kimblewick where it was first made. The bit has bit shanks, D-shaped ring
Bit ring
The bit ring is the ring on the side of a horse's bit, particularly on a snaffle bit. It is used as a point of attachment for the cheekpieces of the bridle and for the reins. It also has an effect on the action of the bit...
s, and a curb chain
Curb chain
A curb chain, or curb strap, is a piece of horse tack used on any type of curb bit. It is a flat linked chain or strap that runs under the chin groove of the horse, between the bit shank purchase arms. It has a buckle or hook attachment and often has a "fly link" in the middle to apply a lip strap...
. Due to its shanks, it is regarded as a type of curb bit
Curb bit
A curb bit is a type of bit used for riding horses that uses lever action. It includes the pelham bit and the Weymouth curb along with the traditional "curb bit" used mainly by Western riders....
. The curb action is minimal to mild, however, because the shanks have short purchase arms and no lever arms (see Lever
Lever
In physics, a lever is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to either multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object or resistance force , or multiply the distance and speed at which the opposite end of the rigid object travels.This leverage...
). Some variations increase the curb action. A Kimblewick is used with one set of reins.
Design
This bit was originally called the Kimblewick after the English town where it first appeared. However, in its early years of use, it was also known as the "Spanish jumping bit". The "D" ring is offset, so the bit mouthpieceBit mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is the part of a horse's bit that goes into the mouth of a horse, resting on the bars of the mouth in the sensitive interdental space where there are no teeth. The mouthpiece is possibly the most important determinant in the severity and action of the bit. Therefore, it should be...
is on the upper part of the flat side of the D, creating a small amount of lever
Lever
In physics, a lever is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to either multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object or resistance force , or multiply the distance and speed at which the opposite end of the rigid object travels.This leverage...
age, supported by a curb chain
Curb chain
A curb chain, or curb strap, is a piece of horse tack used on any type of curb bit. It is a flat linked chain or strap that runs under the chin groove of the horse, between the bit shank purchase arms. It has a buckle or hook attachment and often has a "fly link" in the middle to apply a lip strap...
. This allows the Kimblewick to have a mild curb bit
Curb bit
A curb bit is a type of bit used for riding horses that uses lever action. It includes the pelham bit and the Weymouth curb along with the traditional "curb bit" used mainly by Western riders....
effect.
Like the pelham
Pelham bit
A pelham bit is a type of bit used when riding a horse. It has elements of both a curb bit and a snaffle bit. In this respect a pelham bit functions similar to a double bridle, and like a double bridle it normally has "double" reins: a set of curb reins and a set of snaffle reins. Because it has...
and curb bit
Curb bit
A curb bit is a type of bit used for riding horses that uses lever action. It includes the pelham bit and the Weymouth curb along with the traditional "curb bit" used mainly by Western riders....
s in general, the Kimblewick has bit shanks with purchase arms. However, unlike these other bits, its shanks have no lever arm. Due to the purchase arm and geometry of the rings, the rings may function as very short lever arms and create a small amount of leverage, which puts this type of bit into the pelham or curb bit "family." The curb function varies with the style of bit: slotted Kimblewicks provide the option of more curb action, whereas unslotted Kimblewicks are very close in function to the Baucher bit, which most users regard as a snaffle bit, and to the pelham bit
Pelham bit
A pelham bit is a type of bit used when riding a horse. It has elements of both a curb bit and a snaffle bit. In this respect a pelham bit functions similar to a double bridle, and like a double bridle it normally has "double" reins: a set of curb reins and a set of snaffle reins. Because it has...
when the snaffle rein is used.
Depending on the position of the rider's hands, the standard Kimblewick has different effects when the rein is allowed to slide freely along the curved portion of the D-ring. If the rider's hands are held high, there is no leverage effect. If the rider's hands are low, the slight leverage effect can be used. However, one popular design, the Uxeter Kimblewick, has slots in the curved portion of the ring, so that the rein may be fixed into one position. This increases the curb effect, especially when the rein is placed on the lower of the two slots.
Kimblewick bits have a variety of bit mouthpiece
Bit mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is the part of a horse's bit that goes into the mouth of a horse, resting on the bars of the mouth in the sensitive interdental space where there are no teeth. The mouthpiece is possibly the most important determinant in the severity and action of the bit. Therefore, it should be...
s. The original design has a ported mouthpiece, but it now is also manufactured with others, including a solid, unjointed "mullen" mouth, and a single-jointed mouthpiece
Use
Kimblewicks are not as widely used as snaffles and pelhams, and are illegal in some horse showHorse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
competition classes, notably dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
and show hunter
Show hunter
The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly while jumping fences. The horses are shown in hunt seat style tack, and are often of Warmblood or Thoroughbred type, though a hunter-style pony is also seen in youth classes...
. Kimblewicks are regarded by some people as unconventional or non-"classic", and the compromise design that combines snaffle and curb features may lead some horses to either overflex in the bit or learn to lean on it. However, they do offer the rider a slight curb effect without the risk of a shank getting caught on something, which is useful for contact sports, such as polocrosse
Polocrosse
Polocrosse it is a team sport that is played all over the world. It is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is played outside, on a field , on horseback. Each rider uses a cane stick to which is attached a racquet head with a loose, thread net, in which the ball is carried. The ball is made of...
, and provide a bit more control than a snaffle, which can be helpful for smaller riders on strong horses. They are seen commonly on ponies.