How come the shanks are so long on Walking horse bits?

Question

When I look at gaited show horse magazines I noticed the bits have really long shanks and the chain is really far back and I don't think it's used as a curb, can't see how that is effective. Is it longhttp://www.magnoliafarmstwh.com/images/LoneStarRitzNJanCelebration2004.jpg for looks or is it a gaited horse thing if so why?

Answer 1

walking horses work off the bit.. not off the leg like your traditional walk/trot type horses. the shanked bits are leverage bits... the leverage is what keeps the horse's head up in the bridle. when the rider pulls on the reins the bit affects the mouth, but also puts pressure on the poll... causing the horse to tuck the nose... which is a must for the horse to travel correctly. walking/racking horses cant move correctly if they're all strung out through the head and neck. they have to be collected with the head up and nose tucked.... and that's exactly what the bit shanks do! pleasure classes have a limit on shank length... you cant show in a shank over 8 inches long. now in performance horse classes (padded), there is no limit on shank length or mouthpiece type because those horses are extremely hard to steer (aka "tough mouthed") in general due to the way they're trained so the more shank you have, the more severe the bit action. the mouth pieces on padded horses are usually thin twisted wires, double twisted wire, or chain mouths and most are gag bits (the mouthpiece moves freely on the shanks). pleasure horses generally ride out of broken (snaffle) type mouth pieces or a light chain mouth. you select the bit that your horse performs the best in... not nessecarily the bit the horse is the most comfortable in or likes the best. the curb chain that runs under the chin has one purpose... to keep the horse on the bit and make the bit action stronger. it prevents the horse from getting off too much bit pressure. some people use the curb chain to keep a horse from getting it's tongue over the bit but that's actually what a caveson is for....and no walking horses are NOT shown in double bridles... those are saddlebreds! some arabians and morgans are also shown in double bridles but it's illegal to show walking horses in double bridles!

Answer 2

I don't know much about Walking horses but I was reading the first answer and she is wrong. The length of the shank can make a bit harsh or easy! The longer the shank the worse the bite on the horse's mouth.

These bits might be different, I don't know. The shank is what gives the leverage from your hand to the bit. More leverage and you get more strength per pound of pull.

Answer 3

Yes the bits that you see on the walking/gaited horses are a type curb bit. The length of the shank makes the bit more or less severe depending on what the horse needs. A shorter shank would be less and a longer shank would be more. Typically the bit is paired with a bridoon snaffle in a double bridle, but its not always the case. As far as the curb chain, again it is probably just adjusted for the type of horse/disciplain. Gaited/saddleseat horses (walkers, ASB, Morgans... etc) carry there heads and necks high and have a lot of action. This might also give the effect that the curb has fallen back. Finally no, the curb bits arent just a gaited horse thing. High level dressage riders also ride in a double bridle to fine tune there horses movements, and collection.

Answer 4

Walking Horse Bits

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How come the shanks are so long on Walking horse bits?

When I look at gaited show horse magazines I noticed the bits have really long shanks and the chain is really far back and I don't think it's used as a curb, can't see how that is effective. Is it longhttp://www.magnoliafarmstwh.com/images/LoneStarRitzNJanCelebration2004.jpg for looks...

Answer 6

long shanks, which I used to have for my racking horse, are for headset only not control. if your heavy handed a bit like that can cause alot of pain. its what gets that horse to hold the head high and in towards the chest, this causes a slight hollowing of the back which makes it easier for the horse to get into it's running walk.



when a horse lifts it's head like that they hollow the back, just think of the neck, and back as one piece because they are, what the head and neck does affects the back. in order for naturally gaited horses to do the rack, or running walk, shuffle or finos gaits they have to have a slightly hollow back to get their back legs slightly behind them to execute their gaits. it also causes the horse to put more weight on the back and takes some of it off the front legs so the horse can lift it's front legs in the distinctive way that is showy.



also if the rider leans back a little it hollows the back even more making the gait even faster and easier for the horse to do, as for racking or the fast running walk.



so it is headset only not control remember that. if that same tennessee walker or racking horse or saddlebred was ridden in a snaffle or small shank you would notice less of a upright tight headset. the head would be carried lower but still somewhat inward with the head towards the chest.



if the rider was heavy handed in those long shanks the poor horse would have his head in the sky and in your lap at the same time. we call that sky gazing.



RRRR

Answer 7

Gaited Horse Bits

Answer 8

Most likely it's part of the traditional dress for TW, but a bit should really be choosen based on the horse and rider's degree of training and ability. That bit could be a mild one with long shanks. The mouth piece determines the severity more than the shank.

Answer 9

According to this article, it is to keep the reins out of the way of the nodding head action. Good question!



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