Kimberwick
I have used a Kimberwick on my horse and he did pretty good. I was working on bending and good contact. Is this a good bit to use or should i think of using a different bit?
I have already used a snaffle, a double-jointed D ring,and an eggbutt. My horse really liked the snaffle but he didnt always listen to me if he was full of himself. I have used the kimberwick with the slot-like things and right now im using a regular.
Answers:The kimberwick is used a fair amount by stock horse owners (AQHA, APHA) who show Hunter under saddle when their horses are used to a curb bit for Western. Some people like them, many trainers do not.
What I have been told is this. A good HUS horse is supposed to be rode with light contact. They need to be able to reach forward and extend and show good reach and movement. A snaffle bit allows a horse to be ridden with this light contact and not be fearful or uncomfortable.
A kimberwick is basically a leaverage bit, and horses are trained to not ride into contact with a leverage bit. It hurts a bit. So an English horse that is to have light contact is often going to have slightly less extension and reach if its rode in a kimberwick than a snaffle.
I can also find you tons of trainers who think they're great, so I guess it depends on you, your trainer and your horse.
Also, most associations allow you to show in a kimberwick. I know they are legal in APHA and AQHA English classes. check with the shows you are interested in, and see what rules they will follow, and then see if a Kimberwick is allowed. That will answer the questions about whether they're legal for you, or not.
Do you show? Becuase you cant do Hunter/jumpers in a kimberwick. But I personaly like riding in a kimberwick.
I have used kimberwick's on a lot of my horses with a lot of success. If your horse is going well in it, then keep useing it. Kimberwicks aren't very harsh, they just give you a little more control with the curb chain, and you can get leverage with them. I have found kimberwicks work great for my arabians, the little bit of leverage helps with their head sets.