How a Curb Chain Works on Your Horse

Curb chains are an essential part of any curb bit bridle, but do you know how they function? Most people would give you a short answer that they put pressure under the horse's chin. Curb chains do exert pressure on the horse's jaw under his mouth, but they also do much more. As a bit engages and the shanks swivel back, the curb chain causes three separate pressure sensations. First, it tightens and gives the horse a pressure cue under the jaw. Next, it causes the mouthpiece of the bit to press more against the bars in the horse's mouth amplifying the signal there. Last, the mouth and curb cause the bit to swivel with the shank moving back and and the purchase portion of the bit to move up and forward. This causes the crown piece of your bridle to tighten on the horse's poll and apply pressure there. A properly placed and adjusted curb chain also helps to steady the bit in your horse's mouth. A steady bit sends less 'false' signals to your horse and sets you both up for success when he is ready and attentive to the true signals that you intentionally send. Read about properly adjusting your horse's curb chain here: https://www.coolhorse.com/blog/adjusting-curb-chain Need help choosing the best curb chain for your horse? Check here: https://www.coolhorse.com/blog/curb-your-enthusiasm-or-not