Which curb bit should you choose for dressage?
Used as a dressage bit in a full double bridle, the curb bit works by leverage through its shanks and curb chain. Several factors will help you find the right bit for your horse:
- Shank length: short 5 cm shanks soften the leverage, while 7 cm shanks give more precise aids.
- Mouthpiece profile: a straight mouthpiece, a port or a thin mouthpiece changes the amount of room left for the tongue.
- Jointing: a straight bit gives a steady contact on the bars, while a single-jointed or double-jointed version moves differently in the mouth.
Which models are available from Sprenger, Feeling, Harry's Horse and Stübben?
Our catalogue brings together well-known brands to equip your horse:
- The Sprenger range: you will find the Sprenger L'Hotte Weymouth Bit, the Sprenger Double-Jointed Weymouth Bit, the mors Sprenger Dynamic RS available as a Sprenger Weymouth Bit Dynamic RS and a mors double brisure Sprenger Dynamic RS, as well as the Sprenger Weymouth Bit Bemelmans in 5 cm and 7 cm. The Sprenger HO, FC and KK Ultra models complete the offer.
- Feeling bits: the collection includes the classic L'hotte Feeling in stainless steel or cyprium, with or without short shanks, the port model, and the Feeling Saumur Curb Bit, notably the Feeling Satin Stainless Steel Sliding Mouth Saumur Curb Bit.
- Harry's Horse bits: the brand offers the L'Hotte Optimum Sweet Iron Weymouth Bit, the L'Hotte Thin Mouthpiece Weymouth Bit and the L'Hotte Optimum GB Thick Mouthpiece Weymouth Bit.
- Stübben bits: to fit a Stübben bridle or a Stübben dressage bridle, you can choose a Stübben bit such as the mors de bride dressage sweet cuivre 12 cm, the Stübben Single-Jointed Bradoon Snaffle Bit or the Stubben Ailes d'Or Double-Jointed Snaffle Bit.
Why combine a curb bit with a bridoon?
In classical riding, the double bridle combines two bits with complementary actions:
- The bridoon: attached to the cheekpieces of the bridle, it acts on the corners of the mouth to encourage the horse to give at the jaw and supports the poll.
- The curb bit: attached to the curb cheekpieces with a curb chain, it acts on the bars and the poll to encourage flexion and a rounder angle between head and neck.
This combination needs careful adjustment to keep the horse comfortable.